The Gift Registry - God's gift to the bridal industry

At 85 years of age, the bridal registry has earned the status of bridal establishment. On a practical level, it has entrenched itself as a can’t-do-without wedding appendage. And, thanks to ever-evolving technology, it provides more people more of a winning solution than ever before.

 

First created in 1924 by the iconic American department store, Marshal Fields (now part of Macy’s), the gift registry must have left everyone wondering what had taken so long. Competitor stores set up their own offerings in quick succession.

The advent of the Internet and online shopping in the early 90’s sealed the happy fate of the gift registry. America’s Target introduced the idea in 1993. Today it requires but a cursory search to get an idea of just how many virtual gift showrooms are displaying their goods out there. These interactive platforms allow your guests to access your personal gift selection, complete with images and product descriptions. Many online registry services also offer wrapping and delivery, creating a wonderfully burden-free experience for all wedding parties! And, for those brides (like me) who prefer to touch, feel and smell their goodies in advance, the in-store registry remains very much in tact!
Tip: The store you select should offer a wide range of items, as well as a consultancy service to help you make your selections.

The benefits of using a bridal registry are pretty self-evident. The bridal couple get to choose exactly what they want, eliminating the possibility of white elephant and duplicate gifts. This allows the wedding guests to browse the registry at their leisure, and removes the question of gift appropriateness from the purchase decision. The gift registry can also be made to accommodate a broad sweep of budgetary restrictions so that everybody can afford something.

The bride has the option to register with the bridal registries of more than one store. A combination of items of a departmental store and those of a more exclusive online bridal boutique offers both the bride and her guests greater choice and convenience. In South Africa, all the major home stores offer a gift registry service.

Tip: Register your list with the bridal registry of your choice at least six months before your wedding. This will give the most disorganized of your guests enough time to make their purchase. It also minimizes the risk of the discontinuation of any of your selected gifts. Of course this is all pointless unless you tell your guests where (and by when) to do their shopping!

At the end of the day, the bridal gift registry is there to help you to help your guests to get you exactly what you want. Now if that isn’t a worthy investment of effort, what is?

Online Registry Resources

Silver Ribbon offers a wide choice of upmarket, elegant gifts and homeware. Select your gifts from a range of leading brand products on offer at My Gift Registry. Easy and rewarding to use, The Wedding Gift List is one of South Africa’s finest online bridal gift registry services. Under Wraps is a unique gift registry that aims to make the art of appreciation a little simpler, more convenient and above all enjoyable!

The Gift Registry - God's gift to the bridal industry | Wedding Articles