how long before my wedding should i do my bridal registry? I'm getting married april of '08?

Question

I want to know when i should begin getting registred. And would it be improper to register at more than one place?

Answer 1

Registering just before you announce your engagement is a good idea, especially for people who want to buy you engagement gifts. However, you need to keep an eye on seasonal merchandise and your registries in general to make sure there's enough of a selection (pricewise) for your guests to choose from, especially as you approach any events like showers or parties. It's very frustrating as a guest to go onto a registry and not have anything afforable left to buy.

Choose stores with good return policies - I recommend Bed Bath and Beyond. We were very happy with their registry and their service, and we never had ANY trouble returning anything.

Target is notorious for seasonal merchandise, so if you register for things well before your shower and wedding, they may not be available, which is why it's a good idea to keep an eye on it. Most people will give you the gift receipt for Target, which is good because we got several duplicate gifts from our registry there (none from BB&B or C&B).

In my experience, Target gave us a hard time when we tried to return something - they wanted to deduct a 15% stocking fee because we didn't have the gift receipt, even though the gift was clearly on our registry. We ended up having to ask for the original receipt from the giver (it was a duplicate and came from my grandmother, so it worked out for us). I've also had trouble getting Target to mark a gift as purchased on a registry when I've bought for someone else.

And I definitely recommend registering more than one place. We actually registered at 4, though we originally inteded to register at 3. Bed Bath was our main registry for sheets, towels, etc., but Target had more of the small appliances we were looking for, and Crate and Barrel had the glassware and kitchen items we liked the best. We only registered at Macy's for the completer pieces for our china because Bed Bath didn't carry things like serving platters and bowls in our pattern. Had they carried them, we would not have registered at Macy's.

Answer 2

You can basically do your bridal registry after you get engaged, but most girls register 3-4 months before the wedding. This way people, can buy things for the bridal shower and the wedding. If you register a long time before the wedding, it's possible that by the time your wedding arrives, the items you had chosen a year earlier are no longer available. So, make sure that what you choose will be available through six months after your wedding.

It is perfectly acceptable to register at more than one place, two is acceptable, but definitely no more than three places.
And do not duplicate the items on your different registries.

Answer 3

You can register at any time, most do it about 6 months to a year prior to the wedding. I'd say if you know what you want, go ahead and start a registry. You can always add to it later.

It's not improper to register at multiple stores, I actually like it when couples do that. Sometimes I'll check one place, and anything I would've gotten off their registry is already been bought, but the next place has tons of stuff.

Make sure you register at stores where your guests can shop online as well. It's so easy for a guest, because you just go to the website, plug in the names, up pops the list, pick what you want, and its even shipped directly to the bride and groom. All you do is put in your credit card info. This is especially helpful if you have guests from out of town.

Congrats and good luck! My sister's getting married in April 08 as well!

Answer 4

You should registyer about 6 months in advance of the wedding. Showers are usually thrown about 3 months before, so this will give you three months to set it up and make any changes. Its nice to take your time in setting it up so you can be detailed and put a wide variety of items and prices which is very important for a registry.

You can register at more than 1 store, but be aware that you shouldnt regsiter for the same items at each store. I wouldnt do more than two because it becomes confusing for your shoppers #1 and #2 it becomes to not look to so good on your part, it can cross a very fine line from looking like a suggestion of things you could use to looking greedy and you dont want to cross that line.

Good luck!

Answer 5

Engaged Aug '06. Wedding Date is June '08.

I am registered at three places... Target, Amazon, and Bed Bath and Beyond. Start as early as you like BUT if you buy something that is on the registry remember to delete it unless you want more than one.

Answer 6

I would register about 2 months before your shower party. Rmember to check your registery for any items that may have been discontinued, and also to see that there are enough gift choices left after your shower. It is ok to register at more that one place. Remember to register for items of all price ranges, from $5. to $500. Co-workers might want to go in together for a larger gift, and some people like to buy several smaller items to make up gift baskets, etc.

Answer 7

I def recommend registering at more than one place, and make sure at least one of the places is located where all your guests can reasonably shop. My cousin registered at a store that is 2 hours away from where I live--inconvenient! A national department store (like Macy's, JC Penney) can be good for linens, dishes, etc, and you can register another place for other items you might want...just an idea! I wouldn't register until a few months before the shower.

Answer 8

Its customary to register about 4 months before the wedding.

Remember that many things might be discontinued by the time u register. And this happens alot.
You dont want to register too soon either because you might completely change your mind about the things you want because of ...trends..newer models of things...etc.
I'd say just make a personal list of things u like as u see them but dont register yet. Then as your wedding day gets closer...register!

Answer 9

it's actually a good idea to pick more than one store because not everyone may have the 1 store you registered at conveniently located near them and start out early because that way you have enough time to go back a couple of times and make sure you have everything you want on your registry or delete anything you may have changed your mind about. it's a little overwhelming to try and get everything your first trip!

Answer 10

Is it just for you...like for your bridal shower or for the both of you..like for the wedding? If it's for your bridal shower then I think about 3 months...wedding 6.I don't think it's improper to register at more than one place...just make sure you dont register for the same thing at both places!

P.S. CONGRATS!