Registry Workshop: Management Wrap-Up

Time to wrap up the registry workshop -- the last thing on your registry to-do list is to manage it. So far, you have done your research, picked out your stores, loaded you list up with FABULOUS items, and the make it all come together, you have got to keep a constant eye on it! Managing your registry must be a continuous task while good through your wedding planning journey -- fortunately, with the amazing internet power, keeping tabs on your registry is pretty easy to do!


Once, registered, familiarize your self with the online registry tools at your given store. Every modern day store that offers a wedding registry will also offer online registry access. Most stores' online registry management format are similar to each other's; however, do some exploring on each individual site so that you can find the differences. More often than not, you can change quantities of items wanted with a simply click of a button -- which is a vital tool in managing your lists. Additionally, the online registry will be updated close to real time -- that way you can know what you have left on your registry at any given moment. Online management tools also allow you to update your shipping address, manage your thank you notes, and many actually offer a tool to monitor your registry automatically! Like I said before, the key is to get on there and check everything your store's online registry has to offer -- and take ADVANTAGE of these tools, they are sure to help! Here are some quick tips for registry management:

• Continually watch the quantities that are left on your registry, there are always things you may decide to request more of. 
• ALWAYS check and update your registry after any bridal shower. Most likely, your list may be fairly depleted after a big party in honor of you...and it is important that there is always enough on there for the BIG day!
• Find the store's online management list -- this tool is a list of everything the store recommends that you need, including quantities and sizes. The site literally puts a check mark by the stuff that you have registered for and/or received, and then advises you on what you still need to add.
• Keep a close eye out on what type of items your guests are buying - remember back on the post for "What to Register For" and I mentioned that you always want to have items on there that covers all prices -- low, mid, and high price ranges. If you received a number to kitchen utensils (lower ended price) at a bridal shower, you may want to consider adding back some items in the lower range.
• Stay up on the trends and seasonal changes. Stores are always changing stock -- especially when it comes to the decor category. Bedding is another category that is strongly influence by seasonal changes. There is definitely a chance that the bedding you registered for in the beginning is no longer available at the time of your wedding - if this or a similar situation happens, just adjust your quantities and re-register for another selection.
• Check up on product reviews by other customers. Sometimes you will register for an item and later realize that it has not gotten good reviews. If you ever change your mind about a registry item, simply delete it, and add another one in place.
• Be aware that there are some items that are online exclusives or in-store items only. This factor may influence the accessibility of the item to your guests.
• Don't be afraid to change your mind! There are always things you are going to want and even NEED to add!
• Be sure to check out the website's "customer favorites" section! This is a list the store has complied of couple's mot popular registry items...great stuff to add.
• This is a big one: after the wedding date, go back and add any items you think you want, but were not originally registered for, to your registry. "Why?" you ask...well remember that REWARD system each registry store offers? You can anywhere from 10-20% off each item you personally buy off of your registry after the BIG day (usually up to 90 days after the event date!)

That about wraps it up! Make sure to head back to past Registry Workshop posts to get up-to-date on all the know-how! Look out for the next mini-series (TBA) and the popular Now That's Cool post tomorrow! Much Love.

Registry Workshop: Pick 'em Right

So you have done your research, you have picked your stores, and your following the all the "do's and don'ts"...I would say you are on a pretty stellar track to having a successful registry! Only a couple more things to cover in the Registry Workshop and you are on your own! Let us get on to the fun part...actually CHOOSING what you want! Like I said before, think as it as telling Santa exactly what you want (cannot complain there right!).

Choosing what items to register for can seem like a whole bunch of fun from the get go, but beware, do it right from the start, otherwise you can easily get a little "lost in translation." First of, I recommend making a plan for your self, or at least a brief assessment of your WANTS v. your NEEDS. It is important to register for your NEEDS first...you can always add your WANTED items later down the line. For example, if you need flatware, but really want this decorative pillow...it is obviously more important that some gets you all the flatware before the pillow is considered. The last thing you want is to have a bunch of stuff you only wanted, but are left to buy all the things you actually needed. Fortunately, your wants and needs will often overlap - so getting down to the nitty gritty of it all will come naturally. An easy way to plan out your registry is to make a list of all the rooms in your apartment, townhome, or house -- then, make a list of what you need or don't have for each room - that way, you will have an overall picture of what needs to go on your official list. 

Once you have your general "plan" it is also good to look over a list of recommended registry items. Here are a couple of sites that have checklists of all items you might possibly need, and the quantity they reccommend that you should request:

The Knot

Real Simple

These lists are GREAT tools, and easily outline what the average person needs to register for. That being said, you most likely will NOT need to register for absolutely everything on there - however, you it as an overall guide (and cross out things you do not need) for your registry trip. For example, if you do not have a guest bedroom, you probably do not need to register for extra duvets and pillows, or if you have a set of pots from college, you may not need to put those on there either. Bottomline: use your list, plan, and discretion as a guide...it will save you tons of guess work and wasted effort! 

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This is kind of a side note, but one of the biggest registry dilemmas for modern brides is whether or not to register for fine china. Fine china and silver used to be an absolute custom on any wedding registry; however, this standard has fallen off over the years. Today, many brides choose not to register for fine china, crystal, and flatware: (1) because today's gatherings are more casual, (2) china is an expensive gift that may not allow for some of the other items you want to get bought, and (3) many brides are in line to inherit china from a parent or grandparent. Nevertheless, registering or not registering for fine china, silver, and crystal is 100% up to you, your situation, and your taste. Either way you go is excepted it these times!

Registry Workshop: Registry Etiquette

As if there were not enough "do's and don'ts" that goes along with everything wedding...but yes, there too is wedding registry etiquette. Fortunately, a complete list of registry etiquette can easily be laid out, and as long a you check off the following, you will be sure to not step on anyone's toes :) Here it goes...

The Do's

• Start registering early. It is never too early too early to start scanning! Why? Well, for starters, it helps  get a big thing off your "to-do" list early. Secondly, it allows you guests to check out your "wants" from the get-go -- more time for guests to look out for sale prices, seasonal changes, and map out what they want to get you.
• Register for expensive things! Although you want to register for a range of prices, do not be afraid to have a couple high priced items on your registry. Even if you think no one will buy it for you, more often than not, someone WILL - or they will go in on a gift jointly with another couple. The point of registry is to start you and your man off with things your don't have, but WANT & NEED - so put those dream items on there!
• Register for more than you think! Tomorrow I will go more in depth on what to register for, but definitely know that you will need to register for way more than you think right off the bat. With showers lined up before the wedding, your guests will be flying through your list fast.
• Provide your guest with a list of all the places you registered. Whether you list it on a wedding website, a Facebook page, or any invitation, make sure your guests KNOW where to shop! Typically a small line such as, "the bride and groom are registered at..." will suffice.
• Register for gift certificates. Most of the time, you can register for gift certificates from the store you are registered at. Gift certificates are easy gifts to give, and even more easy to use (trust me, the more gift certificates, the better!)
• Register at a minimum of 2 places and a maximum of 4 stores. This number of places gives your guests some freedom to shop, as well as, YOU some freedom of choice on items. The average person registers at 3 stores.
• Register for the most essential items first -- meaning, register for things you need first, and add things you want as guests start buying off the products that were essential (check in tomorrow for a closer look at this Do!)

The Don'ts

• Do not register later than 3 months before your wedding date. As stated before, the earlier the better - however, if it is not a priority, make sure you still give your guests enough time to get their gifts together - anything under 3 months is no good.
• Do not register at LOCAL stores only. Although small boutique stores offer a registry, make sure that you are registered at atleast one store that has a NATIONAL market presence. Your registry needs to be accessible and "shoppable" by guests all over.
• Do not ask for money ONLY. This "don't" is a controversial one -- many will tell you that asking for money only is ok in this day in time, but I say it is not. Asking for gift cards on a registry is perfectly fine, and if people give you money of their own, that is great as well; HOWEVER, plain out saying that you only want money can easily come off as tacky and offensive. Guests can often feel embarrassed to give an exact dollar amount to you -- many rather buy a gift who's worth is more valued on "functionality."
• Do not choose items that are on clearance -- now take a close look at this one, CLEARANCE is different that SALE. Registering for items on SALE means typically means there is a temporary discount on the item..no big deal. CLEARANCE, typically means that the items is discounted because it is going out of stock, out of season, or being discontinued.

Registry Workshop: Where's The Place For You?

***If you missed the start of Lucky In Love's Registry Workshop, click here to head back to yesterday!***

Registering at the right place for you is vital to your overall satisfaction when your BIG day is all over and done with. There are several factors that go into choosing the right registry spot and it is important to take each factor into consideration. The objective is make your registry one that you love and that your guests are willing to buy at, and here is how it is done:

Style

Obviously you want to choose a store that offers a products with your style. Don't feel like you have to register at a the same place everyone else does, rather, choose a place that you would happily fill your home with. Here are some of the styles offered at the most popular stores:

Classic Traditional: Macy's, Khol's, Dillards, Bed-Bath-and-Beyond

Contemporary: Crate & Barrell, Macy's, Bed-Bath-and-Beyond, Target

Modern Traditional: Pottery Barn, Williams Sonoma, Restoration Hardware

Product Variation

Choose a place that offers products you need and ones you want. For example, if already have lots of kitchen stuff, but really need furniture...Macy's is probably not the best place. Or, lets say you really like the Martha Stewart Brand utensils, make sure your registry spot carries the line (aka not Pottery Barn). Product variation really ties into your desired style - make sure what you need and what you like coincide. Also, be sure to make note of both in-store and on-line items -- some stores offers certain items exclusively on-line and vice-versa.

Price Variation

Out of respect for your guests, make sure your chosen spot of registery offers of items at different price levels. Every guest can afford different priced items, therefore, choose a place that offers a little something for everyone. Although we would like to think so, no everyone you invite will want to buy you that $300 Kitchen Aid mixer ha ha (but hopefully there will be at least one generous soul out there right?).

Location

Looking at the location on the store is crucial if you invited a lot out of town guests. Macy's and Target are found in most major cities, but more specialty stores...even Bed-Bath-and-Beyond is not as many place as you may think. Although out of town guests can typically order things online, shipping and handling fees can get crazy expensive -- and lots of time, people like to look at things in an actual store.

Rewards & Returns

This is an often overlooked, but can be extremely beneficial to you at the end of the process. Each store that offers a wedding registry also offers a rewards program. These rewards programs are put in place to help with the purchase of any remaining items on your registry - but you have to look at the details to see which places have the best offer. Some give you 10% off for 90 days after your event date, others offer 20% off for 60 days after the event date..one is not necessarily better than the other, it just depends on personal preference. Another big factor is a store's return policy. More than likely, as long as an item was bought off your registry, the store will allow you to return it with and without a reciept (for store credit); however, there are some places that will actually give you CASH for any returns off your registry!!! (insider tip: they do not advertise this, but Bed-Bath-and-Beyond offers cash back for registry returns if you request it from management).

Again, be sure to take all the above elements into consideration when choosing your place of registry -- together, these tools can help you choose a place full of things you love and products your guests can buy with ease. Be sure to browse the store's selection before you start scanning - know what you are getting into :) Check back with Lucky In Love next week for more Registry Workshop and a look at Registry Etiquetter (who knew that existed!?)

Registry Workshop: A Beginner's Toolkit

Oh your wedding registry -- seriously in the top five AWESOME things you get to do when you are getting married. It is like being a kid on Christmas morning...except you actually get to pick out exactly what Santa gets you...every adult-kid's dream! Now although the registry adventure seem pretty extraordinarily awesome, it can definitely get you in an overwhelming mess if you are not prepared - thus, get ready for a couple weeks of Registry Workshop where you will get all the "ins and outs" of how to handle your registry.
First off, you want to do some preliminary research -- basically, you need to find out what your registry options are and what type of gifts you want to request from guests. A wedding registry is available at almost any major department store you can think of, and there are a few specialty stores as well. For starters , here is a list of the most popular registry stores out there:

The above stores are by no means the only place to register; however, they are the most popular. The reason why these chains attract engaged couples is because they all offer: (1) online access, (2) registrant rewards, (3) variation in price of products, and (4) diverse product use. All four factors are important to have for any place you register, and together, these tools will allow you to thoroughly manage your registry.
It is so important to have online access to your registry - this feature, alone, gives you freedom to make changes to your registry and monitor the inventory levels from home - you do not want to have to physically go to the store every time you want to add another item (insight: you will find yourself adding/deleting registry items as seasons change and new product lines appear). 
This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to getting ready to register...I will start to get to the nitty gritty tomorrow with "How to Pick The Right Place" - in the mean time, check out all these store's sites, which one has your style?