Organising a wedding can take a long time and once you have decided on the date, venue and dress, there are still other things to sort out. Possibly one of the more exciting 'jobs' is choosing a wedding gift list, which provides the unique opportunity for you to choose what you would like your friends and family to buy for you to celebrate your big day. But you do need to be clever about the service you choose, otherwise this too could become less of a delight, and more of a chore!
We’ve taken a look at all the options, to save you the hard work. So here’s everything you ever needed to know about choosing a wedding gift list service.
First of all you should make sure that you have started looking for your wedding list service at least two months before you plan to send out the invitations. Before you start, ask recently married friends where they had their list and whether they were happy with the service or what they would have improved. This will help you to ask the right questions when you check out the various options.
Most of the major department stores, like John Lewis and Debenhams offer a gift list service, and they are the traditional route. Department stores are great if you’re looking for a list of traditional household items, from someone your Granny will feel comfortable with. If this is your choice, you should set aside at least two full days to wander around the departments and compile your list. Restrictions do apply and you can’t always put everything you see in store on your list. Keep in mind that department stores generally can’t provide personal attention either as wedding lists are not their speciality. Always remember to ask about delivery costs and any costs which your guests may be expected to pay when they buy you a gift.
On the other hand, there are many specialist wedding gift list shops, such as the wedding shop, which will offer you expert advice during a consultation. The only downside here is that they tend to have only a limited range of products and have a lot of traditional table settings and kitchenware and some of them do charge for the service they offer.
In recent years quite a few online services have also appeared, particularly those offering eco-friendly solutions, such as Our Green Wedding List. This will give you an alternative list and offers you a convenient way to build your list from home, while your guests can also make their purchase online. But many of the online services are too specialist and have a limited range of products available to choose from, which may not suit all of your guests needs. They are obviously not able to offer any one to one advice or personal service either.
Others don’t ask for anything at all because they feel it is bad manners to do so. But your guests will want to buy you a gift to celebrate your marriage. So providing them with a gift list will make their life easier and ensure that you don’t receive too many photo frames, glasses or random ornaments which are not to your taste. Today it is perfectly acceptable, if not good manners, to give your guests suggestions for your wedding gifts.
You may have also considered compiling your own list of items from a range of shops and websites. Whilst this sounds like fun, it usually proves to be very time consuming and can just add to your already busy schedule.
Then when it comes to choosing items for your list, be methodical and make a list of the things you really want – go through all the rooms of your home and decide what you would like to add or replace.
Wedding lists tend to be too small and late buyers often end up buying off the list. Many guests will buy as couples or families, so you need about two-thirds as many gifts as you have guests. You will also be surprised how generous your guests are. They generally spent between £50 and £100, but especially relatives tend to spend more.
Many guests also prefer to buy you something special, so try and include as many stand alone presents as possible and don’t be afraid to include some unusual and quirky presents.
We hope this will help you to enjoy your once in a lifetime experience of having a wedding list!
Creating the perfect gift list
Things have changed since your parents' wedding day. Many brides and grooms used to move straight from Mum and Dad's house into the marital abode. To set up home they added all the staples to their wedding gift list: sheets, pots and pans, glasses and perhaps the obligatory toaster.
Today the majority of engaged couples in the UK already live together (often with children) so it’s likely you already have a well-stocked home with all the basic household items.
Because of this, today’s wedding lists are much more flexible. Though you may decide it’s a great opportunity to update your home with fresh new linens – or perhaps that formal set of china you always coveted – many couples are refusing to limit themselves to traditional gift ideas. After all, why ask for a fondue set if you’re never going to use it?
Gift Ideas
Luxury Items
There’s a big trend towards requesting luxurious gifts that you, perhaps, couldn’t justify buying for yourself, such as designer home items, high-tech kitchen gear, entertainment gadgets, garden furniture or even fine wines.
This works best with lists where the money goes towards vouchers or into an account – instead of each guest buying a gift for a particular price – meaning you can splurge on larger or more expensive items.
Honeymoon Fund
Some couples ask for donations towards a once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon trip. Others request funds to help with a house renovation or purchase a garden makeover or even a trust fund for their children. Some couples want vouchers for extravagant experiences, such as hot air balloon rides, scuba lessons or even a relaxing and romantic spa weekend.
Donations to Charity
An approaching wedding makes some couples reflect on how lucky they are – and decide to give something back. There are wedding lists for charitable giving, from traditional charities such as Marie Cure Cancer Care to more unusual ideas, such as goats or bicycles for families in the developing world. Eco-conscious couples might choose a 'green' wedding list with earth-kind and fair-trade presents or donations to environmental and conservation charities.
No Thanks
Some couples don’t want any gifts. Really. If you truly don’t, consider a subtle note to that effect on the invitation. Keep in mind that some people will not be able to resist buying you something, so you might want to give details of your favourite charity as well.
Gift List Etiquette
Keep gift list etiquette in mind. Your main focus should be your guests' presence – not their presents. A wedding list isn’t meant to bully guests into buying. It’s simply a practical way to help guide them towards gifts you can actually use – and to lessen your chances of having to exchange five toasters.
Spread the word
Today, most couples include gift list details with the invitations, but a few guests may find this off-putting or even tacky (consider withholding the notification card from the envelopes of guests you suspect might object).
Alternatively, you could simply note 'Contact X if you would like wedding list details' but that does mean extra admin in passing along the information.
Price Range
Ensure your list includes a good range of prices, from very affordable items to large gifts your guests can club together to purchase. Register for more gifts than the number of guests, so late buyers won’t feel pressurised into buying something they wouldn’t have chosen (or cannot afford).
List, what list?
It’s almost inevitable some guests will go 'off list' – whether because they want to buy you a very personal gift or simply because they don’t like being told what to do. Whether or not you like every gift, it's vital you send a thank you card – and try to make it sound sincere.
Gift List Directory
Traditional List
Traditionally the bride’s mother distributes and manages a list of desired gifts (with details of manufacturer’s name, model and colour). When a guest chooses a gift, they cross it off and return the list, which is sent to the next guest.
Department Store
Many couples register with a department store, for the wide range of stock. Many have branches nationwide as well as comprehensive websites, so it’s easy to set up your list – and convenient for guests to purchase gifts.
Specialist Company
There are many independent list providers who offer a personalised service and a large range of gifts.
Honeymoon Registry
Money goes into an account for your honeymoon trip or for 'extras' such as parasailing or scuba lessons.
Individual Shops
Many companies and shops run their own list service – you can register with several different ones for a DIY list.
Eco/ethical Wedding Lists
For guests who want earth-kind gifts or donations to charity.
|
