Wedding gift lists UK - choosing your service

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Some brave souls leave their gifts to chance in the hope that their relatives and friends will know just what they want, and others make it clear than only cold hard cash will be accepted! For the rest of us, the wedding gift list makes it easy for the guests to choose something they know the couple will love. There are many great services available for this purpose in the UK.

Register for your gift list around six months prior to your wedding. This will give you enough time to visit the store and choose the items you want. You'll probably want to compile your list before your invitations go out, as it is usual to include details of your wedding registry at this time.

One of the biggest decisions is choosing which store to register with. Visit the stores, and browse online options to see whether they can supply the full range of brands and products you are likely to want. Department stores are excellent as they offer the full spectrum of options from garden gloves to bathroom scales. If you have specialist items you want in addition to the usual household things — perhaps exercise machines, or musical instruments — it is acceptable to hold registry lists at more than one store. You may decide to include details of both registry lists in your invitations to each guest, or you could choose which list to include with which invite.

The fun part is selecting the actual products you will have on your wedding registry. However, it can sometimes be stressful if you are unsure what items you need, or what is appropriate to ask for. Firstly, do a mini audit around your home and write a list of everything you still want or need. Basic registry requirements include tableware such as crockery, glasses and cutlery, and also cooking items such as saucepans and dishes. This is a chance to pick good quality products that will last a lifetime, so consider classic designs that are unlikely to go out of fashion. Walk around the rooms of your home, ticking off things you would like for each room. Don’t forget bed linen and towels, as well as any garden accessories such as chairs or a sun umbrella. Choose gifts from a wide price range so less wealthy guests have something to pick from.

Beyond the obvious items, there are some options you can consider. If you have any children, it is acceptable to include such things as furniture for their rooms. Some people may feel this in inappropriate, but they are at liberty to select something different from your registry so there is no obligation. Unusual registry options include hardware stores, garden centres and even travel companies, so if you are really after the honeymoon of your dreams, there is a way of asking politely for guests to contribute.

© The Pink Fridge Online Magazine 2008 - Wedding Gift Lists