One of the first things a couple is inclined to do after getting engaged and setting the date is creating their gift registry. You're spending a ton on your weddings all for you guests sake ... they should repay you, right? Wrong! The wedding registry shouldn't be viewed as a 'tit for tat' spending experience. It should however, be viewed as a place where you can communicate with your guests all the lovely new adult things you'd like to have as your start your life together as Mr. & Mrs.
Before you even consider what you want, consider what you have and what you need. Really take time to go through your kitchen, dining, bedding, bath and general house needs, otherwise you are going to wind up with gift overload and waste a lot of weekends returning presents for store credit and gift cards. If you are starting with a relatively 'unfurnished' kitchen, this is the time and place to ask for all those nifty gizmo's that will turn you into Martha Stewart in mere moments. Seriously though, if you don't cook now, you probably aren't going to cook because someone bought you a $300 mixer in green. Keep your registries realistic. If you've never hosted a dinner party or don't think that china will ever be hand washed in your house, perhaps don't register for some overly expensive plates. But, if you are into cooking and do think that you'll be the go to home for holiday dinners, then by all means, all these items to the list. The same goes for all the bedding / bathroom stuff you ask for: if you are asking for all new stuff, pick a theme and let it run through all the elements.
Remember that despite all the hard work you'll put into scanning items onto your wedding registry, some guests will purchase off list, so be prepared for those one of a kind items ... that you usually can't return.
Lastly, you'll be getting presents long before the wedding and perhaps long after the wedding, but Thank You notes must be sent out immediately!
{courtesy of Martha Stewart}
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