Registry Etiquette
- Question:
- We just announced our engagement—when should I register, and how long can we keep the registry open?
- Answer:
Aim to register 6 to 12 months before your wedding. However, if you have your eye on seasonal merchandise like designer bedding, don't register too early—after six months, you may find it's no longer stocked. Another factor to consider: Most guests buy gifts two days before the ceremony, which means you'll want to have a second group of items ready to add to your list right before the wedding. Ideally, you should keep your list open for a year after you get married, the period during which people can still politely buy you a wedding gift, but check with the store about its policy.
- Can I send registry cards with my invitations?
- How much cash do I give a friend's son?
- How do we ask for cash gifts?
- Can I change my registered china pattern?
- Can we register for a courthouse ceremony?
- Should I register for expensive items?
- Must I register for champagne flutes?
- Should I register for a themed shower?
- How many gifts do I register for?
- How should our table linen monogram look?
- Is it OK to bring gifts to the reception?
- To whom do we send our registry info?
Submit Your Own Etiquette Question
Have an etiquette question you'd like our editors to answer?
- Can I choose china from my 1st wedding?
- How do you say thanks for a check?
- Must thank-you cards be signed by bride and groom?
- When must the thank-yous be sent?
- When do we open and close the registry?
- Is it OK to register for wine?
- Is it OK to register for gifts for a second (or third) wedding?
- Can I register at local boutiques?
- Can we register for a mortgage?
- Can we return gifts?
- Can we ask my fiancé's guests not to give gifts?
- Does the maid of honor have to give us a gift?
- At which wedding-related events am I expected to give gifts?
- Do we need to wait until thank-you notes are sent to our guests before depositing their checks?
- What do I do if a wedding check from a guest bounces?
