What's your opinion of wedding gift registries?

Question

I don't know why, but they've always seemed tacky to me.

Be grateful for what you get...is this a wedding or Christmas?

Answer 1

I think they are practical.
Its inevitable people are going to want to give you gifts, its just done at a wedding and it has been for many years. It makes things easier for guests and it makes things easier for the couple. Some people just don't know what to get the couple, they don't know what they have, what they need or what they want so having a registry saves them time and lots of work. For the bride and groom it saves them from getting 5 kitchen aid stand mixers when they already had one or don't cook.

As long as people aren't registering for inappropriate items, I see nothing wrong with them.

Answer 2

There are a lot of arguments on both sides of this. Personally, I'm all for the registry.

It's only tacky if the bride & groom register for outrageously overpriced things (think all Tiffany silver, Waterford Crystal, or Lenox china, for a start).

Otherwise, I do think it's acceptable for a couple starting out to register for things that they both need AND want to set up a household together. It's a convenience for guest who WANT to purchase a gift - knowing that your gift is wanted by the recipient is always a relief.

To that end, I also believe that a registry is a great jumping-off point. Registries can give the gift giver a very good sense of the couple's tastes, color schemes, etc. However, I don't feel that a gift giver is obligated by any means to give a gift soley off a registry. Gifts should be given freely and from the heart. Some of the nicest gifts are personal, heartfelt ones!

Answer 3

I wouldn't put a gift registry notice in a wedding invitation. I agree-that is tacky. However, to avoid ending up with 4 coffee pots or 2 toasters, you can use one of the free wedding web site services out there(or design your own from scratch, if you have that talent), let your friends and family know the site address, and add links to a gift registry there.

Also remember, and remind your friends, that the registry items are a suggestion, not a demand. I've never bought items from registries for my friends' weddings, baby showers, etc., but the gifts I've given have always been well liked.

By the way, the wedding web sites are also good places for directions to the ceremony/reception venues.

Answer 4

Let's face it people...you can't go to a wedding and not bring a gift...not bringing a gift is way more tacky then having a gift registry. I don't even understand the arguement. Would you rather buy them a gift that they will actually use or something for $10 that you think might be good. The problem really comes down to $$ people are mad about registries because they may not want to spend what the bride and groom may feel is acceptable. But let's face it a gift under $100 per guest is cheap and pathetic. Weddings are expensive these days, we are in times when spending $10 on a gift no longer works.

Answer 5

I understand entirely where you're coming from. In particular, when you see registries with things like big screen tv's.

However, I believe that most gift registries are not intended to be something that's done to help the bride & groom...On the contrary, I believe these are done in order to help the wedding guests. Most of the time, if I'm invited to a wedding, I have no clue what the bride & groom really need. The registry helps me significantly, in that I know that I'm getting something that they will really use. It wouldn't be too tough for me to call them and ask what they'd like, but the registry also helps to avoid duplicate gifts - I'd hate to think that someone else had already gotten them the same toaster I just bought, and that now the bride & groom have to go exchange mine.

They are helpful, as much as they can be tacky.

P.S.
I gotta remember to do a gift registry next Christmas!

Answer 6

I think they are a great idea because they give your guests a list of things you want so they can decide what they want to get and find it easily. If you needed lamps and had your heart set on crystal ones would you enjoy getting one with an Hawaiian girl in a grass skirt that does the hula and shakes? I doubt it. There is nothing tacky about a registry and the gift one buys does not have to come from the registry, but it is a good idea for those who have no idea what to get the couple.

Answer 7

I love them, I hate shopping and I prefer having a list to go off of so I can get in and get out and still be guaranteed that the gift is a wanted one.

However, I LOVE thoughtful gifts as well. I dont believe that registries should be thought of as anything but suggestions and I dont like when people who get something that is not on their registry is not appreciated. Especially with home made gifts, my grandmother knitted my a blanket for my shower and I just thought it was the most special gift of all. I was just at a shower where the MOG gave a counted cross stitch she made to the bride, it was gorgeous and of all the gifts she got that day, to me that was the best gift. Anybody can spend money, but the gift of the time and love that went into that cross stitch was awesome.

Answer 8

I think that it makes it easier if the guest chooses to bring a gift....they know exactly what the couple needs to start their new life together instead of having to guess and possibly buying something that will be a duplicate or something that they just wont ever use. Not every couple needs a waffle iron and nobody needs 10 tosters. (which is a very popular gift)

Not to mention that it saves the bride and groom much effort once they get back from their honeymoon and they dont have to bring 10 toasters back to 10 different stores to get what they really need.

It's not about being greatful for whatever they get, it's about making it easier on everyone involved. I am sure every couple out their appriciates the thoughfulness of gifts they receive but are even more so if they request it and get it.

Answer 9

I think they are helpful. I don't want to spend hours figuring out what the get the couple or have to find the receipt because they got 12 of them. Sometimes returns don't have anything to do with being unappreciative.

There is definately a point where it jumps into tackiness. Usually when the couple acts like the gifts are required and use every opportunity to notify me of where they are registered. If I want to get you something I'll ask....then tell me.

Having a registry where everything is super expensive is tacky or if they have like 10 pages of crap at every store in town is pretty bad.

Answer 10

I think registries are a good idea depending on the situation. If you are very picky about gifts, they are perfect because you can guarantee at least a little of what you get. You'll always get things that you don't want.
My husband and I didn't register because we were moving right after the wedding, so we didn't want a lot of extra stuff to move, so we just asked for gift cards. It was perfect! Not only was it easier on us for the move, but it was great because we could shop and choose together! What a great honeymoon!