Gift Registry Etiquette

Gift giving is a tangible representation of your guests love and support. A wedding invitation sent to local friends and family, carries a gift-in-return obligation. Gifts should not be expected from out of town guests and those you are not personally close to. Those are considered more of an announcement.

In our wonderful society of technology, I think the gift registry is a great idea. It helps friends and family know they are selecting things you need and like; greatly eliminates the duplication problem and having to return items. Out of town guests can view your registry locally or shop online and have it shipped to you.

When registering it’s a good idea to select several locations with a variety of price ranges that all of your guest can afford. After you have completed this wonderful wish list how is everyone to find out where all you have registered?? ....by word of mouth!! Give your mother, his mother and your maid of honor a list of the stores you have registered at and see how fast word travels!!

This tradition is one not to be broken as many are today. Emily Post states, “…the practice of including lists of gift registries on (or in) wedding invitations is considered tacky and unacceptable…” With the invitation implying a gift-in-return, there is no need to say “I want it from here.” Even worse would be to include are gift receipt reminder, implying that “I plan to return it.” Anyone wanting to purchase a gift will generally ask a friend where you are registered. The exception to this would be the hostess may include that information in a shower invitation because this is a specific gift giving time.

On a side note, you may be interested to know that a written thank-you note is not mandatory if a personal “Thank-you” was given at the shower. For more answers to your wedding etiquette questions purchase or borrow books by Emily or Peggy Post.

Happy Wedding Planning!!