All your Wedding needs
19 August 2008
It is important to decide early on how you will handle the subject of wedding gifts. Will you have people choose what they want, will you use a wedding gift registry, or will you decide not to ask for gifts at all? All of these options have positives and negatives, so it is important that you consider each carefully and decide which is the best option for your wedding.
If you let every guest choose what they wish to gift you, you may find you and your partner must deal with the cliched hundred toasters. While this may sound unlikely, the nature of a wedding can lead to many people finding it difficult to come up with an inspiring gift. Buying for one person can be hard enough. Trying to find things that both you and your partner will appreciate is what leads to the toaster effect. Nevertheless, wedding guests will probably appreciate that they will not be forced to spend outside of their budget when buying you wedding gifts.
Using a wedding gift registry gives your wedding guests an easy choice of presents and avoids doubling up on presents as much as is possible. The problem comes in where you register, as not everyone will be able to spend the same amount. If you are thinking that it is only fair that people spend a bit more on your special day, keep in mind that there is always the possibility that some people will be thinking of paying rent for the next week or feeding a family in addition to buying you and your partner a gift. Make sure that there are plenty of lower priced options for people to buy wherever you choose to open your wedding gift registry, and do not be offended if someone brings you a wedding gift bought from somewhere else instead.
Choosing to forego gifts can still backfire, as there will always be someone who wishes to go to extra effort, embarrassing your other guests. Rather than asking for nothing, ask that people merely bring a card that commemorates their attendance. This forces those who want to give a bit extra to do so discreetly, as extra presents will very clearly be an attempt to show off.
Please browse our wedding directory if you would like to find a wedding gift registry, wedding reception venue, a wedding flowers service, wedding music performers or other wedding planning services to help organise your wedding.
