Wedding Gifts – Experience the Love

Congratulations! So, you are newly engaged and are probably thinking about your special day on the horizon.  The crucial arrangements will be in place, and now your attention can turn to your wedding gift list. This part is not only an enjoyable and exciting aspect, but it is also an element that will benefit you and your guests. So, what exactly is a wedding gift list, and why should you have one? This Blog will hopefully navigate you through the ins and outs of creating a bespoke wedding gift list completely designed to your tastes and needs.

A wedding gift list (also known as a wedding list, a wedding registry, or a bridal registry), is a carefully selected collection of items, experiences, and cash contributions you would like to receive as gifts from your wedding guests to celebrate your marriage. 

This gift list acts as an easy and convenient way for your guests to select presents they know you will love and need. From tableware, bed & bath wedding gifts, to monetary contributions to your honeymoon funds, your wedding gift list reflects your identity as a couple, and the options available to you are endless.

Creating a gift list for your wedding is a personal choice, from a couple’s point of view, it’s undoubtedly one of the most enjoyable aspects of any wedding planning. A wedding gift list is something you and your future spouse can enjoy building together. Something that will guide the two of you to thinking of all the adventures you will have as a married couple in the future. 

Many couples find that since they have lived together, they already have the basics for their life together. With a wedding gift list, you may wish to upgrade your collection of homewares that you can love and utilise for a lifetime. Furthermore, your wedding guests will want to buy you wedding gifts to celebrate your marriage, and a gift list can simplify the process for both you and your guests. 

The list helps you avoid the chance of ending up with a multitude of the same present or things you simply don’t wish for or need. Your gift list is a unique opportunity to ask for items you genuinely need but may be unable to purchase for yourselves. It may be a nice set of fine China dining service, the most desired kitchen gadgets, or monetary contributions to your nuptial getaway, the choice is yours. By creating a varied selection of wedding gifts, you can ensure that your guests have plenty of options that align with their budgets.

Whether your celebration is an intimate occasion or on a grand scale, a thoughtfully created wedding gift list can cater seamlessly to weddings of all sizes. The number of items you place on your wedding gift list is entirely a personal decision. Yet, offering a diverse array of options ensures that your wedding guests can select gifts that align with their preferences and budgets. 

Just like with any other wedding planning, timing is important when it comes to sharing your wedding gift list. It is recommended that your wedding gift list is ready to go at least eight to ten weeks before your wedding or to align with when you send out your wedding invitations.   It's the most natural way to direct people to your list while it is fresh in their minds. This gives your guests plenty of time to explore the options on your wedding gift list and select the perfect gift that resonates with their preferences. Some guests will want to buy you a wedding gift as soon as they read your wedding invitation, so they can purchase what they see as the ‘perfect gift’.!

Many couples choose to have an ‘Additional Information’ section on their wedding invitations, with information relating to local accommodation, taxis, dress codes, etc. In this case, a short sentence may be included informing your family members and guests where to locate your Wedding Gift list.

Now that you have created your ‘dream wedding list’ filled with presents you both will love and cherish for a lifetime, how do you politely phrase the wedding gift list on your wedding invite? 

Navigating the etiquette of wording for your gift list on wedding invites can be a delicate task. Of course, the most important thing to you is to have your dearest guests join in the celebration of your special day. But rest assured, your family and friends will want to give you something special to celebrate your marriage. 

In today’s world, couples value life experiences over physical possessions. Plenty of couples nowadays are opting for a ‘honeymoon registry’ over retail gifts, as they already have the essentials for their home life together.

If you are thinking about a ‘honeymoon registry’ for your wedding, consider the many benefits this will bring! Before you set up your honeymoon fund, it is important to remember that guests may not be able to give as much as they would like during times like an economic recession or unexpected hardships.

Honeymoon funds make financial sense as guests can contribute to an experience at your honeymoon destination. Whether you have a wedding gift registry or not, some guests prefer to contribute to a honeymoon fund over a registry so they can be part of creating a memorable experience versus purchasing a material object. Ideas may be varied – paying for a massage, a boat trip, a hot-air balloon ride or a nice meal in your destination – the options are endless.

Thanks to technology, creating a honeymoon fund registry online is easy, free, and takes just a few minutes to set up. There are plenty of websites, for example ‘Prezola’, ‘Buy our Honeymoon’ and ‘Hitched’, that cater for those couples looking for a ‘honeymoon fund’.  It is a personal choice which website will meet your needs, so it is a good idea to do plenty of research before committing to the site. The real work involved in creating your dream honeymoon fund is being crystal clear on the details and itemising all the experiences you wish to fund.

While you will still have guests who want to give you a tangible wedding gift, most will be excited about helping to send you somewhere after your special day.