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Bridal Registries & Gifts
A listing of the finest Bridal Registries available in the area
is presented in the table below. To learn more about each company,
click on the Company Name to see their Ad, click on their Web Site
hyperlink to access their web site, or contact them through the
Email hyperlink in the table below.
To learn more about selecting your Bridal Registry to, please read
the article presented following the table.
All phone numbers are in the 805 area code unless
otherwise noted.
Bridal Registry
& Gifts
…Pre-Select Your Gifts
Your wedding guests want to find a special, useful, and memorable
gift for you. But like most of us, they could really use a little
help in understanding what you would consider special, useful,
and memorable. So do yourself and your invitees a big favor -
register with at least one retail store that has a local storefront
and with at least one store that provides an on-line gift registry
service.
The local retail storefront option is perfect for your local
friends and family who enjoy shopping. However, your local Bridal
Registry store may not have outlets in a location convenient to
many of your invitees. This is why an on-line Bridal Registry
store is essential. It is a perfect way to shop for your gift
for 1) people who live away from major metropolitan areas, 2)
people who cannot attend the wedding & therefore want to easily
ship your gift, or 3) people who simply do not enjoy the shopping
experience. To select and purchase your gift, they simply hop
online, pick a gift in their price range that you have pre-selected,
and a few clicks later they have purchased your gift and it will
soon be in the mail to your home!
How a Gift Registry Works
A gift registry is simply a 'wish list' of store items that you
have identified as desirable. You generate your wish list with store
assistance and then your invitees view this list and select from
it. The store keeps track of which items have been purchased from
the list, which limits duplication. Stores that provide Bridal Registry
services have easy to use systems in place to aid you in generating
your wish list. Registry services are always provided to you free
of charge.
At your local retail storefront, the process will generally include
completing a simple form with contact information (names, phone,
mailing address, wedding date). You then walk around the store viewing
merchandise and recording what items you want to add to your list
(item type, name, color, quantity). You may record this information
on a store provided form; however, most stores now provide an electronic
scanner where you simply scan the bar code for the item and then
enter the quantity. Once you have completed your selection, the
store will provide you with a hard copy listing of your wish list.
Refine this list by adding or deleting items. Your guests can purchase
items from this store by calling or walking in, and possibly via
their web site.
An on-line Bridal Registry works in a similar way. You complete
a simple contact form on-line. Then you select your gifts by browsing
their website. As with the local retail store, you will be provided
a summary listing of your selected gifts, which you may refine by
adding or deleting items. Your guests can purchase items from this
web site via their computer.
People may want to give you gifts at your engagement party, bridal
showers, or other parties so be sure to register well in advance
of the wedding. You will still receive duplicate items since many
purchasers do not inform the clerk that the gift is for your registry.
These stores are very lenient in allowing returns and exchanges,
so rather than having to live with three toasters, duplication is
merely a small inconvenience.
When selecting your wish list, don't be shy. If you want that $500
baker's rack, put it on your list. You may be surprised at a certain
uncle's generosity or a group of friends may want to pool their
money to get you a truly significant lasting gift such as this.
Conversely, don't make your entire wish list high dollar items.
Be sure to include a range of gift prices so that your guests of
various income levels will have no trouble selecting a beautiful
affordable gift that they will be proud to present to you on this
special occasion.
Traditionally, Bridal Registries served to provide the new couple
with items to help them get started in their new home together.
They initially started off with china, silver, and crystal and then,
in more recent years, the new tradition included other household
items such as towels, bake ware, appliances. Today, however, many
couples marry at a later age and as a result, they often have all
the flatware, toasters, etc. that they could need. In response to
these changing times, diverse gift registries have blossomed. You
can now sign up for almost anything in your registry. There are
registries that focus on gifts of money, which are pooled and go
toward the cost of the honeymoon, furniture, the wedding itself,
or even a downpayment for a home! Try an internet search for 'bridal
registry' to evaluate the options.
Bridal Registry Communication
How do your invitees know where you are registered? This is a tricky
item. You want your guests to know where you are registered and
your guests want to know where you are registered. But is it appropriate
to include a card in your invitations informing your invitees of
your Bridal Registry locations? Unfortunately, we feel that the
answer is no. Enlist your family, bridesmaids, groomsmen, and other
close friend in disseminating this information. Generally family
members will contact your immediate family with registry questions
while friends will contact your closer friends. Also, post your
registry information, with hyperlinks, on your wedding website.
While not the most expeditious approach, the grapevine plus your
website will successfully distribute your registration information.
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