I live in Boston, but I grew up in St. Louis, so my wedding is there. I am trying to think of a way to avoid shipping 50-75 wedding gifts from St. Louis back to Boston after the wedding. The cost of shipping them all would in some cases cost more than the gift itself, I think!
What if my registry were set up so that a guest could go into any store in the national chain (say Target, for example) and purchase a gift from the registry, but instead of the guest taking that item home and then to the wedding as a gift, I would pick up the item in a Target in Boston? Same as when you call a store in Town 1, and they don't have it, but that same item is available in Town 2. Does anyone do this? I can't be the first bride to encounter this problem.
2007-03-16 17:50:59 · 11 answers · asked by Rachel Jane 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Weddings
Guests are supposed to already know that it is rude to bring the gifts with them to the wedding or reception, for EXACTLY THIS REASON. Transporting them is a burden as well as a security nightmare (things get stolen!)...
Gifts are supposed to be shipped to or dropped off at the bride's home, either before or shortly after the wedding.
Most registries, indeed, are set up so the gifts ship to the bride's home. But people might still be clueless and ship the things to themselves and bring the gifts with them to the ceremony/reception. There is no real instruction you can give them, to ward this off-- if you did, it would be rude on your part, as it is impolite to control or dictate how gifts are given to you. You just have to trust them to put two and two together and realize where you'll be living after the wedding.
It would also be rude to register for gift cards (that's just as rude as asking for money).
If it helps, maybe register for things like linens and towels which are "squishy" and fit in luggage better than, say, a breadmaker. Also, you may be able to return the gifts in St. Louis and then use the resulting credit slips in Boston.
If you register for things that are physically small, you can pack them all into one larger parcel and ship it to yourself by UPS ground. It is not that expensive to do so-- I ship a lot of packages.
2007-03-16 18:12:41 · answer #1 · answered by Etiquette Gal 5 · 1⤊ 3⤋
If I were in your situation, I would register at a national chain (such as Target) where they can buy many of the gifts online and have them shipped. Think about creating a wedding website with TheKnot.com or WeddingChannel.com and spread the word about the website, and on your registry page, indicate your preference (and reasoning behind it). (Also, that way you're not more or less saying "Here's how to give me my presents!")
Amazon.Com has a registry with basically all of the normal things you would register for at Macy's or other stores. Since Amazon doesn't have a brick and mortar store, ALL of the orders have to be shipped, and many are better deals than at the mall stores anyway. Just put your shipping address as your home in Boston.
Good luck! That's a tough one.
2007-03-23 18:03:56 · answer #2 · answered by Travis and Rachel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many online stores have the option of "sending item to gift recipient". See if you can't put out the word for that. Check into the Target, Dillards, Sears thing. if they can, then on your registry, explain your position, and ask that instead of bringing the gift directly to your shower, they can ship it to you, or whatever, and bring a card instead with either a picture or description of the item. That way, you will know exactly what you are getting from each person, but won't have the hassle of shipping so much. Cards fit easily enough in luggage and they also make great scrapbook material.
2007-03-23 06:26:21 · answer #3 · answered by cds21681 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am in the same situation. Our wedding is in our hometown of Pittsburgh, but we now live outside NYC. I am hoping that people will choose the "ship directly" option that most registries offer. I was just thinking about how I am going to transport the gifts from my shower, which is in Pittsburgh. I know that people like to bring a physical gift to the shower, but like you said, I am going to spend more on the shipping then the costs of the gifts. I am trying to come up with a polite way to word this is the notes section on the registry (most offer this).
Best of luck to you!
2007-03-16 17:59:24 · answer #4 · answered by NoTurningBackNow 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
That is a great idea but kinda in personal. It would be tricky to know who got you what and to make sure that the store gave you everything that was bought. I got married someplace else and also had showers is 2 other states, we ended up carting the gifts back home. You should definatly check with the stores, but they may not do it cause one stoire will be getting the money and the other giving up the product. Good luck.
2007-03-22 02:51:57 · answer #5 · answered by elephantfun 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You shouldn't expect them to send a gift if they aren't invited to the wedding. You can send announcements but I wouldn't put where you are registered at. You could also get married in the town hall and when you go back home for a visit, plan a 'reception' of sorts to celebrate with your family back home.
2016-03-16 21:50:14 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's possible but you have to indicate in your invitation that any gifts should be sent by whatever procedure you like.
Or you can say for example omit flowers and pass only cash or gift check certificates of so and so chain stores that you like or redeemable gifts at certain stores in Boston.
One alternative is to make arrangement to have in St. Louis a garage sales of all the gifts if you find them difficult to transfer.
2007-03-24 12:00:42 · answer #7 · answered by PJA 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know that walmart does it because I've used the service before so i cant imagine that the other chain type stores wouldn't do it especially if they offer wedding registry services, good luck on you r upcoming wedding
2007-03-24 12:47:44 · answer #8 · answered by tnlstn 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best thing to do is contact your local chain store of choice and find out their policy for this. Usually at Target, and even Wal-Mart, the items can be purchased in the store or online and can be shipped to your address that you are registered under. Just double check with the stores to see if this option is available.
Happy Registering!
2007-03-16 17:56:07 · answer #9 · answered by theplanningdiva 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I would check at the store to see if they do the transfer sales. if they do awesome, if not maybe you should look into the option of giftcards. and then when you send the thank you's, with each card tell the person what you bought with their card.
2007-03-16 18:09:12 · answer #10 · answered by Breanna's Mommy 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋