What Kind of Bridal Registry Idea Suits You?

Going to a wedding? Pick up a 4-slice toaster as a gift. I promise, it’ll be the most highly prized gift the bride and groom receive. Why? Because everyone’s so concerned about giving a clichéd toaster as a wedding gift, that everyone avoids it nowadays! Still, there are some really cool bridal registry ideas that you can look into if you’re getting married.

You might really love that toaster you get, but let’s say you’ve already set up house, as many marrying couples have. The last thing you need is another crock pot or set of place mats. You’ve bought all that already! What else is out there?

Go-go gadget

Appliances for the kitchen, office and bathroom may be mundane gifts to some, but to others, they not only make life easier, they make it fun! Your existing gadgets might be tired and need replacing, or you might have your eye on something new and fabulous. Visit a Sharper Image or another gadget-y kind of store and ask if your bridal registry idea can be implemented there.

Heart and soul

You’re about to share your heart for the rest of your life with your groom. Share your abundance with people who are not so fortunate. Instead of your usual bridal registry ideas, request that your guests donate a sum of money to your favorite charity in your name. Support cancer funds, children’s organizations, sponsor a child, buy a vital piece of life-saving machinery or build a wing of a hospital.

Not so abundant

Weddings cost a packet, it’s true. Most brides and grooms like to share their special day with friends and family, even though it may mean a debt-filled year ahead. Instead of a bridal registry, share your concerns with your bridal party and your close family and eventually, word will get around that you would prefer gifts of money. Just don’t print it in permanent type on your wedding invitations!

Be budget-wise

Even though you may be rolling in dough, your guests may be less fortunate. You might have grand bridal registry ideas for expensive china, exquisite linens and luxury furnishings, but half of your guests might be thinking more in terms of a pair of bath towels or a good milk pan. Choose a registry that allows options from a wide range of prices.

Online shopping

Invited friends or family who may not be able to make it to the wedding due to distance will appreciate being able to shop online for a gift. Even if they are coming, online bridal registries are a great idea because they can peruse your choices in the comfort of their own home instead of having to travel to your nominated store.

Remember the mainstreamers

You don’t always have to use lateral thinking to come up with a great bridal registry idea. There’s nothing wrong with some of the mainstream department stores. They all have gift registries, they’re used to dealing with a wide range of budgets and clients, and they all do their job very well. Think Bed, Bath and Beyond, Target, Macys and Crate & Barrel. They have great stuff and at pretty reasonable prices so you get more bang for your guests’ buck.

A bridal registry is not a good idea for every couple out there. Some people take offense to being asked to shop at a particular store, so be sensitive to your guests and offer them the option to not use your registry when buying your gift.