A gift registry is a list of items you would love to receive on your wedding day. It's a way to give guests an easy way to shop for your wedding and helps them pick out a gift you and your partner really need.

These days, more and more couples are opting for online gift registries which makes it easy for your guests to buy gifts from the comfort of their own home. Whether you're on the hunt for home goods or something more adventurous, online gift registries help take the stress out of wedding planning.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps required to create a gift registry online, as well as provide a list of the top online registries and the most common categories of items that couples include.

• Step 1: Start By Brainstorming Gift Ideas
• Step 2: Sign-Up For An Online Gift Registry
• Step 3: Build Your Gift Registry
• Step 4: Add Registry To Your Invitations
• Step 5: Celebrate After Your Wedding Day

Without further ado, let’s get started!

 

Step 1: Start By Brainstorming Gift Ideas

Once you’ve decided to make a wedding gift registry, the first step is to think about what gifts you want to ask for. This is the most enjoyable part of creating a gift registry for your big day.

The best way to find ideas for your gift registry is by thinking about what you and your partner might need for your new home. From kitchen appliances to linen and decor, there are countless ways to embellish you and your partner’s new home.

Below are the most common categories of items that couples include in their wedding gift registry:

• Kitchen Essentials
• Dining & Entertaining
• Home & Decor
• Linen & Laundry
• Garden & Outdoor Living

Start With The Essentials

To get the most out of your registry, start by listing the essential items you and your partner really need for your new home. This can include items such as a new kettle, a cutlery set, towels, glassware, etc. If you have difficulty knowing exactly what items you need, try asking family and friends or visit department stores like Myer or David Jones.

Fill The Gaps With Things You Want

Once you've listed all your must-haves, fill in the gaps with things that you and your partner know you will enjoy. This can include items you want but don’t necessarily need. Perhaps you would love a particular DVD box set, a new mattress or a wine decanter.

Include Multiple Price Points

A great wedding registry includes gift ideas for every price range, so guests can choose to spend as much or as little as they would like. We suggest including gifts that range between $25 and $200+. Be sure to include a range of smaller, more affordable gifts, as well as some top-end items for those extra generous guests or guests who are gifting as a group.

 

Step 2: Sign-Up For An Online Gift Registry

The tradition of gift registries has evolved over the years. While it is still customary for guests to bring a gift to a wedding, most couples are using online all-in-one gifts registries (like MyGift Registry or EasyRegistry) to manage their lists and make it easier for guests to buy wedding gifts. An online gift registry gives your guests the confidence of knowing they’re buying something you actually need.

Head to your laptop, tablet or phone and do some research on which online gift registry you would like to use. Most online gift registries are free to sign-up to but require a small one-time payment when creating a registry. Once you have found your favourite online gift registry, sign up for an account.

Below are some of the most popular online gift registries:

• EasyRegistry ($39)
• MyGift Registry ($65+)
• Myer (Free)
• David Jones (Free)
• Zankyou (2.6% of the amount contributed)

 

Step 3: Build Your Gift Registry

Now that you've figured out what gifts you and your partner would love to receive, it's time to start building your registry. Head to your preferred online gift registry and start selecting items from various online stores. Each registry will have its own process for adding items so spend some time learning how to use the website. Typically, online gift registries can be edited and updated at any time so you can add or remove items to your registry once it has been sent to your guests.

 

Step 4: Add Registry To Your Invitations

Now that you've created your registry, it's time to make sure your guests receive the information they need to purchase gifts from your registry. Make sure to include a link to your registry on each of the invitations, save the dates or your wedding website. This will ensure all of your guests know exactly where they can find the registry and what they're shopping for.

 

Step 5: Celebrate After Your Wedding

So your wedding day has come and gone but now comes one of the most exciting parts of being married: unwrapping gifts! Opening gifts can be one of the most exciting things to do after your big day. Once you have settled down with your new partner, consider sending a thankyou card to your guests to show appreciation for each of the gifts you received.

 

Conclusion

We hope you’ve enjoyed this guide to creating a wedding gift registry. We recommend taking your time when putting together your registry, enjoying the process and including whatever items you and your new partner would like. Remember to include a gift table on your wedding day!

FAQ

How Many Gifts Should I Include On My Registry?

When creating your list, it's a good idea to include 25-50% more gifts than the number of guests. If you’re having a wedding with 100 guests, consider making a registry with 125-150 items. This provides your guests with a number of gift options and allows them to buy multiple smaller gifts instead of just one larger gift.

Can I Add Cash To My Gift Registry?

When it comes to creating a git registry for your wedding, there is no right or wrong gift to add to the list. Cash is a completely acceptable gift option. Cash can be gifted through many online gift registries or can simply be gifted in person on your wedding day.

How Long Before My Wedding Should I Make My Gift Registry?

Consider creating your gift registry 3-6 months before your wedding. This will allow you to add it to each of your invitations before sending them out and give your guests plenty of time to pick out the perfect gift.