Asking for wedding gifts is more delicate than asking for a birthday present, which is why a registry exists in the first place. Done well, it makes gift-giving effortless for your guests and gets you things you actually want. Here are the dos and don'ts that keep the whole process simple and polite.
Do set your registry up early
Have your registry ready at least four to five months before the wedding. Guests often buy for the engagement party and shower as well as the day itself, so they need time and options. An early registry also means you are not scrambling to add items in the final weeks.
Do offer a wide range of prices
A good registry has something for every budget. Include plenty of lower-priced items so guests can buy individually or team up, alongside a few bigger pieces. A list of only expensive items leaves budget-conscious guests stuck. If you are not sure where the price points should sit, our guide on how much to give as a wedding gift in cash shows the ranges guests actually consider.
Don't scatter across too many stores
Traditionally couples were told to use two or three stores at most, which quickly gets messy for guests. A better approach now is one registry that pulls items from anywhere. With EasyRegistry you can add gifts from any online or physical store to a single list, so guests browse everything in the one place instead of hunting across accounts.
Don't ask for cash bluntly
If you would rather have money, do not put "cash only" on anything. The accepted way to do it in Australia is a wedding wishing well, which lets guests contribute money gracefully without you having to spell it out. Our guide on how to ask for cash wedding gifts covers the wording that keeps it warm rather than awkward.
Do choose gifts that help you grow as a couple
Add items based on what you genuinely need, not habit. Look around your home and ask what is missing, and what you will want one, two or three years from now, remembering your needs shift after the wedding. Do not forget the honeymoon. Both of you should choose the list together so it reflects the pair of you. For established couples, a wedding cash fund that sits alongside a few real items usually fits best.
Do keep registry details off the invitation
Registry information does not belong on the wedding invitation itself. Send a separate gift registry card with the invitation, or put the details on your wedding website where guests can find them without it feeling like a request.
Do make it easy for guests to chip in
Big-ticket items are much easier to gift when several people can share the cost. Our guide to a group gift explains how guests can contribute to one larger gift together, which suits couples who would rather have a few meaningful things than many small ones.
Make it simple for your guests to give you what you really want. Create your free wedding registry at EasyRegistry and share it with one link.
