Posted by Patti Wellington on Tue, May 04, 2010 @ 01:14 PM
A bridal registry is a service provided by retail stores (and now websites) to assist engaged couples in the communication of gift preferences to wedding guests. Selecting items from store stock, the couple lists desired items and files this list with the chosen merchant. The list is then made available to wedding guests, either by the couple's family, the merchant and/or on-line.
Upon the purchase of a listed item, this gift registry is updated accordingly. In addition to providing valuable information for the buyer, the system helps prevent the receipt of duplicate or unwanted gifts, potentially saving time for both giver and recipient.
The practice of a bridal registry was first instituted by Chicago-founded department store Marshall Field's in 1924 at its Marshall Field and Company Building as a means for the engaged couple to indicate chosen china, silver and crystal patterns to family and friends. US-based Target stores were the first to introduce an electronic self-service gift registry in 1993, using a service provided by The Gift Certificate Center, Minneapolis, MN. The technology was invented and subsequently patented by William J. Veeneman et al., the founder and CEO of The Gift Certificate Center.
In the past few years the traditional concept of the bridal registry has evolved. On one side we now have more specialized versions such as honeymoon registry and charity registry. On the other side we also have more general registries that allow consumer to have items from many stores in one single registry.
Here is some great tips to help you set up your registry:
• Allow at least an afternoon to choose the items for your registry list and make sure you do it with your fiance.
• Put your list together at least 12-16 weeks before the big day so that details can go out with your wedding invitations (this number should line up with the timeframe of when you are sending the invitations).
• Choose items that you both like and remember - try to compromise! If you love something and your fiancé doesn't, you might have to agree to put something you don't like on the list.
• Include more gifts than you think you will receive to give guests plenty of choice.
• Make sure your gifts fit in to a variety of price ranges, and include some larger items in case guests decide to buy something for you together.
• Think of the future as well as gifts you would like to receive now. A special china set or beautiful wine glasses might be something you treasure in years to come.
• Be wary of choosing too many fashionable colours or patterns. You don't want everything to feel dated a few years down the line.
• Consider whether everything you choose is going to match well. China, for example, should co-ordinate with any table linen, cutlery and glassware when it comes to style.
• Be sure to keep an up to date list of every gift bought - you'll need it when you start to write thank you letters!
• Thank you letters are essential, and it's perfectly acceptable to send them as soon as you receive a gift, even if it's before the wedding date.