Travel Registries - The Latest Trend For Wedding Gifts

By Chris Robertson

These days, chances are that betrothed couples already have all of the blenders, towels, dishes, silverware, and other household items they need. With the swing toward men and women getting married later in life, most couples either have individual homes that they'll combine once they're married, or they have been building their own trousseau while living together. Because they're often footing the bill for all or part of their wedding, the one thing couples don't have is money for the honeymoon of their dreams. That's why the latest trend in wedding registries is the honeymoon travel registry.

Perhaps a couple wants to go on a cruise, vacation in Europe, or enjoy a Disney vacation. They may dream of four-star hotel accommodations or flying first class on their favorite airline. Whatever their fantasy honeymoon, more and more couples are opting to register with an online travel agency.

With a wedding travel registry, the couple can have their dream honeymoon while wedding guests can be assured that their gifts will combine to form memories that will last a lifetime. And, the process of both registering and giving is easy and straightforward.

Essentially, a honeymoon wedding registry allows the couple to set up a personal registry web page. If the couple already knows their honeymoon destination, they can reveal that on their web page and select items to include in their gift registry. For example, if the couple is traveling to Hawaii for their honeymoon, they may decide they'd like to go to a Hawaiian luau and list two luaus (one for each party in the wedding) in their registry. They may also select a romantic candlelight dinner, breakfast in bed, and a hotel room upgrade. They can include entertainment and activities, such as scuba diving lessons, a helicopter ride, horseback riding, and snorkeling. The couple can even add travel items like inter-island flights, limousine service, and a rental car.

Similarly, if the couple have decided that London is their destination of choice, they can include an English afternoon tea in their travel registry, dinner for two at Jamie Oliver's restaurant, a medieval banquet, and a Harrods' shopping spree. Perhaps they would like tickets to Madame Tussauds Wax Museum, London theatre tickets, or a tour of Shakespeare's Globe Theater. If so, they can add those items to their travel registry as well.

For wedding guests, a honeymoon travel registry makes it easy to find a personal, yet remarkable gift. Giving a sunset cruise, for example, is much more memorable than a set of mixing bowls. Gift givers can even opt to send the couple a customized gift card, or print one out and bring it to the wedding.

A honeymoon signifies the beginning of a couple's life together, and is a welcome relief from the stresses of planning their wedding. Having a honeymoon travel registry can help make the couple's dreams come true and give them memories to last a lifetime.

Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web. Learn more about Majon's Travel directory Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Robertson

How to Politely Register For Your Wedding

By Andrew Stratton

Every person getting married should have tact, especially when it comes to registering for wedding presents. While you may be tempted to ask for your hearts desire while selecting items, remember to be realistic as well. Because you are basically asking people to buy you things, it is only right that you make the process as easy as possible for you as well as your friends and family.

There are a few basic rules to follow when setting up your wedding registry that are tactful and shouldn't offend anyone.

1. Set up your registry as soon as possible. You already have an idea of what you're going to need, so as soon as you set a date, set up your registries. These days, you don't even have to leave the house to do this. You and your groom can peruse web sites of stores and create a list from the comfort of your home.

So, there's no good reason for putting off this chore. After all, you're asking people to buy stuff. It's only polite to give them ample time to purchase your gift.

2. Give everyone options. Most big-chain stores have wedding registry options, so make sure to include one of these in your list so that everyone has access. Remember, not everyone has a computer to shop on-line and hometown shops probably won't have a web site.

You also want to choose a wide variety of items at every price point. Yes, some of your friends and family will spend a lot of money on you, but others have a general budget for wedding gifts. Expect most people to spend an average of $50, so have plenty of choices for this and less.

3. Don't announce your registries. Never put this information on the wedding invitations or the 'Save the date' cards. The hostess of your showers can put it on those invites. You can put your web site address on 'Save the date' cards. Have the info available on your web site. Of course, people will ask you where you are listed and you can certainly tell them. Just don't offer the information unsolicited.

4. Don't ask for money. If you'd rather have cash, just don't register. Remember, some people will give you cash and gift cards, but everyone else is left to their own imaginations if you don't offer guidelines.

5. Promptly thank everyone. Thank You notes should be handwritten and specifically refer to the gift. Sure, you can thank someone in an e-mail, but that does not take the place of a traditional note. Everyone should receive this kind of personal thanks (and they will expect it).

While it is customary for everyone who gets a wedding invitation to get you a gift, it is not a given. Be appreciative for the gifts you do receive and gracious to those who come to the event with or without a gift.

The presence of friends and family to help you celebrate your big day should be all you need. When it is all said and done, marriage is about family, not how many gifts you get.

Don't let the overflow of gifts at your nuptials overwhelm you. In New Orleans weddings are celebrated with a little bit of tactfulness-set up a wedding registry. Learn the basic rules of creating a winsome wedding herehttp://www.neworleansweddingsmagazine.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Stratton

Is it Tacky to Have a Bridal Registry?

By Laura Firenze

The bridal registry has been around for a long time. It was designed for a very pragmatic reason: to help wedding guests figure out what gifts might be pleasing to the bride and groom, and to help the bride and groom by eliminating the issue of receiving duplicated or simply undesired gifts. And yet, when you are basically telling someone what they should buy for you, it can be easy to get into territory that is not so polite or correct. This begs the question, is it tacky to have a bridal registry?

The short answer is no...and yes. Even the most strict etiquette mavens will agree that establishing a traditional bridal registry is perfectly acceptable, and generally rather useful. There are, however, many exceptions to this rule, and that is where you can run into some pretty tacky bridal registry situations.

A classic bridal registry is completed at one or two stores (perhaps one large national chain and one smaller boutique or specialty store). The usual items that are included on the gift list are the things that are thought of as the basics for establishing a household. You usually see categories like linens (sheets, towels, tablecloths, etc.), cookware, china (everyday and/or fine bone china), crystal (and maybe nice everyday glasses), small electrics (toasters, blenders, and so on), decorative items like clocks and vases, and if they think anyone will spring for it, a set of good silver.

Where you start to run into questions is in the inclusion of the elements of contemporary living. Is is okay to register for a flat screen television (borderline) or a gaming system (no!)? I once knew a bride and groom who were avid model airplane enthusiasts who wanted to know if it would be tacky to set up a bridal registry at their favorite hobby shop; their mothers absolutely forbade it! In other words, while no one will bat an eye at traditional household goods on a registry, once you start including very expensive items or things that appeal only to a certain crowd, things can get a bit dicier.

As people start to get more and more creative in the types of bridal registries that they are designing, they are more likely to do something really tacky. One thing you should never do is try to use your registry as a vehicle to get your guests to finance your wedding expenses. In other words, you should not register for things like bottles of wine or wedding jewelry in the hopes that you can spend less on your wedding. (An exception to this would be if a bride wanted to establish a small wish list of items like wedding jewelry, a veil, or a tiara that would be given out only to immediate family members before a bridal shower, and only if they ask.)

Wedding guests tend to be put off by registries that make them feel as though the couple is looking for sponsors to support their lifestyle. This is why newer inventions like honeymoon or mortgage registries are right on the edge of poor taste. In some circles they might be acceptable, but many older guests are likely to find them a bit offensive.

The most important thing to know about a bridal registry is how to spread the word. Never, ever include registry information in a wedding invitation! Include it in the shower invitation if you must, but know that this is in questionable taste. Including your bridal registry details discreetly on your wedding website is fine. The best way of all to spread the news about your bridal registry is the most old-fashioned: simply wait for your guests to ask you about it. Rest assured, if a wedding guest is interested in receiving the guidance of a registry, they will not hesitate to inquire, and if they are not a fan of bridal registries, they will not feel pressured to buy off of a wish list.

Laura is interested in wedding planning and wedding trends including jewelry,receptions and gifts. Wedding jewelry is a meaningful keepsake from your special day. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Laura_Firenze

Using a Wedding Gift Registry to Pay For Your Honeymoon

By Angela R White

With all the stresses and difficulties you face during the wedding planning, you cannot wait for your honeymoon. You feel that it is surely the best way to culminate the whole wedding event. However, just before you are able to plan for this much-anticipated trip, you are stunned to see that there is hardly any budget left for it. The budget you have allotted for this occasion has been depleted.

Do not lose heart. The concept of honeymoon wedding gift registry has been recently invented to assist the couple financially in this unforgettable trip. Whether you choose to spend an afternoon in the gondolas in Venice or have an exotic beach getaway in Barbados, a honeymoon gift-wedding registry will help you achieve your dream honeymoon.

So how does this exactly work?

A honeymoon bridal registry works this way: a couple signs up for this kind of registry and guests give gifts that pertain to the couple's honeymoon. So instead of bequeathing the couple with the usual pots, pans, and other household items, guests can choose among these options, which may include airfare, hotel accommodation, massage or spa services, romantic dinners, gift cards for pocket money, vacation activities (snorkeling, diving, water sports, mountain climbing), and admission tickets to tourist spots.

Where do I find this kind of registry?

Many travel agencies now provide honeymoon gift registry services but an easier route would be to find an online honeymoon bridal registry that would enable guests to access anytime, anywhere.

How do I sign up?

Sign-up process varies from one honeymoon bridal registry site to another but it is generally easy and simple. All it would take is a couple of minutes of your time and then you can work your way to build a wedding website and honeymoon registry. After this, you can spread the word to family and friends so they can start bequeathing you with precious honeymoon gifts that you would never forget.

What do I look for in a honeymoon wedding registry?

Just like with any aspect of your wedding shopping, you also need to be smart when looking for a honeymoon registry. You do not want to go for a registry that would axe you with a high service fee or a registry that would not comply with its promises. Some of the things you need to ask before making a decision include:

1. How much does it cost to register?
2. How much is the service fee?
3. Are there any other fees to pay for?
4. What kind of services do you provide?
5. Do you help in the announcement of the registry?
6. Are gifts redeemable in cash?
7. How would you notify use if a gift were purchased?

With so many expenses to take care of for the wedding event, the last thing you need is to worry where you will get the money to spend on your honeymoon. Sign-up with a honeymoon registry so you would have nothing to worry about. This kind of gift is both beneficial for you and the guest. Your guests would surely be happy to give you something that would help you attain the dream honeymoon you have always wanted.

Angela R. White is the owner of the wedding news site Articles4Brides.ca and has a life-long passion to help brides with their wedding planning needs and above all, keeping them up-to-date with trends and news in the wedding industry. Angela writes onwedding news, in particular, on wedding reception and ceremony. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Angela_R_White

Wedding Registry Etiquette - Give Us the World

By Wendell Harvey

If you've ever checked out the wedding registry of a wedding couple to see what they are requesting for wedding gifts, you might be not be surprised to find them asking for some frivolous items they may not need.

Don't get me wrong because I love frivolous things too but if you're on a budget to start, it might be a good idea to be practical in the beginning. Our wedding registry etiquette wasn't original but we really thought about what gifts to choose to jump start our new life together.

During this time, your mind can easily go into fantasy mode about what to ask for. How about a big screen high definition TV for the extra bedroom and of course the new TV will need to a stand to sit on or maybe even brackets to hang from the wall.

How about audio, you can't watch television of that caliber and not have a great audio system. It's natural to think that way when you're getting a bunch of free gifts from your wedding guests. It just means you're human.

There were so many wedding gifts we could have added to our wedding registry that would not have been practical. What else can I put on the registry while people have their wallets open? My sense of humor kicked in often during this time but reality eventually sunk in. I'm no longer going to be single and must think about my new wife and the best way to take care of her.

We didn't want our wedding registry etiquette to be frowned upon nor to be a set up for frivolous gains. We knew we were going to need a bunch of practical things to get by.

We actually needed a toaster, a tea pot, some silverware, ironing board, iron and a few other items. So we request things we needed from our registry. I fact, I think it's time to get some extra forks right now; so many have gone missing.

By all means, if you are a couple that is doing great financially, please skip this article. But, if you know your finances will be waning after the wedding, this message is for you.

Get what you need and not what you want from you wedding registry. It is one way to eliminate the need to spend money right after the wedding. The cost of your wedding alone will be enough for the two of you to endure.

As newlyweds, it's a great time to in life to get a lot of old things replaced. It's always nice to start fresh. Before couples get married they usually have old pots and pans given to them by their mother and borrowed blankets that will never be returned. Donate them!

When you replenish necessary items together as a couple, you're presented with a great opportunity to put away the old and bring in the new together. We used Create & Barrel for our wedding registry and would definitely use them. It's a great company with great products.

While making your wedding gift registry list, you might also think about how much money your wedding guest will have to spend on each gift.

Even though it's your time to get free items, your consideration for this detail will be noticed and you stand a better chance of getting more of the items you ask for.

I've seen gift requests that were way out of my price range. In that case I just keep on scrolling until I find something I can afford.

If you have friends that can afford to pay a little more, by all means, choose up scale wedding gifts from your registry. Items that cost too much could make your guests feel uncomfortable about getting a gift from the registry. So mix it up with a little of both; expensive and not so expensive gifts.

I can honestly say we still use those items today. If you know your financial situation will be tight after the wedding, think about creating a buzz among your wedding guests to give cash instead of buying a gift.

Take the cash and do comparison shopping for what you need and save the rest of the money for rainy day. It could be a great way to get your life started.

How about those techniques for wedding registry etiquette?

Congratulation on you upcoming!

My name is Wendell and I'm a writer for Bridalhallmark.com. I live in Southern California. Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! For True Wedding Couple Stories and Money Saving Wedding Tips stop by: http://www.bridalhallmark.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Wendell_Harvey

Unique Wedding Gifts and Registry

By Kristen M Westlake

When a couple registers for wedding gifts there are large number of stores that they can register with. Those looking to buy a gift for a soon to be married couple will find that the majority of the gifts a couple is asking for are your standard run of the mill items. Everything from toasters, to trashcans, and even furniture frequently appear on registry lists. While every couple appreciated the gifts they receive it's always nice to surprise a couple with something they didn't quite expect. It is the gifts that a couple doesn't see coming that they become most fond of. Appliances and general household items are easy but a gift that's heartfelt goes a lot further in terms of memories, surprise, and appeasement.

These days it's not uncommon for couples to register with multiple stores and many, in order to help friends and family choose more meaningful gifts have begun registering with art vendors of all types. Perhaps the most popular however are those vendors who sell nature images for the home. Images of nature add personality and atmosphere to the rooms they are placed in and help liven any room they're found in. As the popularity of nature photography and imagery continues to grow more and more vendors allow couples to register with them via the Internet.

A great many of these vendors don't simply offer animal or landscape images for a home but rather offer those in addition to many other types. Couples who are looking to register with such a vendor should spend a bit of time on the site of interest in order to determine if a specific vendor carries or produces they types of nature photography they want. If they look hard enough online couples will find that vendors often offer nature photographs that range from the abstract to panorama's, and even wildlife. Registering with a vendor that offers many different types of art prints will give their friends and family a bigger list to choose from.

Those buying gifts will find these sites useful and the art prints enchanting. In fact many of the people who buy nature photography for a couples home end up returning at a later time to buy prints for their home as well. If you or someone you know will be buying a wedding gift consider going a different route and buying a gift that they don't expect. If you are a couple registering for wedding gifts consider registering with an online vendor who sells nature prints for homes.

Professional photographer Kristen Westlake offers unique wedding gift idea for the bride and groom. Purchase fine art photography for your home, office or gift. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kristen_M_Westlake

Wedding Registry Basics

By Alice Douglas

Wedding registries are also called bridal registries these days, although it is something that both parties should be involved in. There are two main reasons that you want to set up a wedding registry for your wedding. One being to get everything laid out that you and your soon-to-be spouse will need for your new life. The other is to make shopping for those things for your friends and family easier. They don't have to guess at what you may need or want. It's all laid out for them. All they have to do is pick something on the list and go.

Before you even start to put together your wedding registry list, you and your fiance should sit down and have a heart to heart talk. You need to evaluate what you both want and what you both need. Consider your lifestyles and what you foresee in the future. Are you going to host many formal dinners at your home or are you more of the backyard BBQ kind of people? Things like this will help you create a wedding registry that will actually be helpful. You both should settle on the kinds of things you want and need long before you set foot in the store.

In the past, wedding registries would typically include your normal, everyday household items like sheets and dishes. Today though, especially with so many people living on their own or together before getting married, you may already have all of these things. That's OK! It's perfectly acceptable to put other kinds of items on your wedding registry wish list. Want a matching pair of ski's for your first vacation? Add it to your registry!

On the other hand, don't register for needless things that you don't foresee using just because it's a typical wedding registry item. If you already have something, don't add it to the list. If you now you'll probably never use something, don't add it to your list.

If you don't know what to add to your list, just take a look throughout the store(s) that you use for your wedding registry. You're bound to found some ideas!

Engaging Images is a team of Toronto wedding photographers who combine art and photo journalism. Visit their site if you are looking for the best wedding photographers. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alice_Douglas

Affordable Wedding Gifts

By Ashley Rader

Being invited to a wedding is an honor. It usually means that you've played a significant part in the bride, groom, or couple's lives. But, just being invited to a wedding, doesn't mean the wedding gift has to break your budget. Here are some great wedding gift ideas that are not only affordable, but will be appreciated by the couple.

1. Hoover Handheld Wet/Dry Hand Vacuum. This handy little vacuum works great on wet and dry messes such as cat litter, crumbs, and spilled liquid. It is great for quick clean-ups, and not for deep cleaning, but may come in handy with your bride and groom especially if they have children or pets. This great product will cost you about $30.00 at a department or home goods store.
2. Black & Decker 10 Cup Power Pro Wide-Mouth Food Processor. A food processor is not something most couples think about putting on their registry, especially if they've decided a blender would be better. But, if the truth be told, blenders cannot do everything, and if your new bride is looking forward to learning how to cook or if the couple is known for being health food fanatics, then a food processor is just gift for them. This food processor is $40.00 at Target.
3. Rubbermaid 20 Piece Easy Find Lids Product Saver Set. Think to yourself, how often do I use my Tupperware? If you are like most people, you probably use it frequently and don't know what you would do if you didn't have Tupperware containers to store leftovers and make lunch packing easy and mess free. Well, then you should share this convenient secret with your lucky couple. This Rubbermaid Tupperware set is surprisingly affordable, since it only cost about $16.00.
4. 3 Tier Metal and Wicker Shelf. This cute shelf is guaranteed to look great in any décor and would be a great addition to any bedroom, bathroom, or living room. Extra storage is always handy, no matter what your couple's style may be. Surprisingly this cute shelf is only going to run you about $50.00 at Target and would maybe be the perfect gift to go in on with someone else.
5. 3 Compartment Laundry Sorter. These 3-compartment laundry sorter go above and beyond the traditional laundry basket. They provide a convenient way for your couple to sort their laundry before its time to do it. These will run you anywhere from $25.00 to $50.00 at your department or home goods store depending on what brand and style you choose.

You should never disregard the couple's registry when shopping for wedding gifts. Their registry usually includes the things they really need to start their new life together. Most registries contain a variety of gifts to choose from in several different prices ranges. Don't be afraid to ask a friend or family member who is also attending the wedding to go in with you on a larger item, so that you can save some money and get the bride and groom something they will not only use, but appreciate.

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