When to Start a

Wedding Registry

It’s easy to get lost in the post-engagement bliss of sharing your love with the world, but once the engagement dust settles, it’s time to get down to brass tacks. And in case you’re already overwhelmed with planning for the big day, fear not! We’re here to help take some of the stress off of your shoulders and help you have fun with your wedding registry.

When it comes to creating a wedding registry, you’ve still got plenty of time. There’s no rule that says you need to create one just as soon as you announce your engagement, but you won’t want to wait until a month before the event either. Instead, aim to create a registry sometime between sending out the Save-the-Date cards and when you send the actual invitations. Now all you have to do is create the wedding registry of your dreams!

Start from the Beginning

Sit down with your spouse-to-be and figure out what items you’d like to register for. This is a great time to talk about what you already have, what styles you like, how you want your home together to feel, and what items would have the biggest impact on your life together. Is it time to upgrade your sheets? Could you use an extra set of wine glasses so you’ll have plenty when guests come over? Would a faux fur throw help movie night feel even more special? (Hint: The answer is always yes when it comes to faux fur!)

Break It Down

Once you’ve got a running list of items you think would be great to add to your registry, break them down by category so you can stay organized. This will give you a better sense of which retailers would be best for you to create a registry at.

Do Your Homework

Not all retailers are created equally and it’s important to consider convenience when deciding where to register. Does the retailer have retail stores near your guests? If not, will your registry be available to purchase from your registry online? Do they offer free gift wrapping for registry purchases? What about international gift-givers? Can you register for gift cards in case you’re not sure what you’ll end up needing? Take it slowly, don’t be afraid to ask store associates questions so you can decide what works best for you, your partner and your guests.

Perk It Out

Make sure to do a little digging when it comes to registry programs. Some retailers offer what’s known as a “completion discount”, which is a special discount for you to use on any items on your registry that went unpurchased. This discount usually ranges from 5 to 20 percent, depending on the retailer, and is usually good for up to 6 months after the big day.

Plus, many retailers – including Pottery Barn – offer extra services like free gift wrapping for registry purchases and personalized registry help, so you’ll have an extra helping hand when you need it.

You Do You

Hey, it’s the 21^st century and this is your wedding registry so feel free to have fun with it! Go ahead and register for some awesome, shatter-resistant dinnerware in cabana-ready colors or go bold and register for some premium bath linens in punchy colors.

And there’s no reason you can’t register for things outside the home either. Maybe you’re not the biggest cooks at home, but you love to camp – who says you can’t register for new camping gear and new towels? There’s no reason you can’t register with more than one store. Just take care to keep the registry assortment down to 2-3 retailers so guests can easily find your registry.

What to Ask for if You Already Have it All?

For those who may already have it all when it comes to their shared life at home with their partner, here are some great ideas to get you started.