Bridal Registry

Certified Etiquette and Protocol Consultant

When planning her wedding in 1992, Leah Ingram realized she couldn't find answers to many of her questions, such as where and how to register for gifts or check out venues. So the Pennsylvania woman turned etiquette and other bridal issues into a career. She has authored numerous wedding books, including The Bridal Registry, and is a leading wedding expert for national media, including CNN, Newsweek, Cosmopolitan, and bridal magazines.

1. Register right away. Even if you don't have a
   formal engagement party or multiple showers, some people
   will want to send a congratulatory gift. Registering early is
   not about being the ultra-greedy bride; it's about making
   your friends' lives easier by giving them ideas and options.
2. Take inventory.Go through your home to determine
   what you really need. Say to yourself such things as "We
   have four place settings but could use 12." This may keep you
   from going crazy once you're in the store and have a scanner
   in hand. Take your list when you register, but also allow
   yourself a few impulse choices.
3. Register in multiple placesMost couples no longer register at only one store. Choose two or three stores -- mass merchandisers or ones that have multiple locations or Web sites -- to make it convenient for guests to shop.
4. Think outside the box Today's registry choices
   have moved well beyond china. Couples are registering
   at nontraditional stores and for things that reflect their
   lifestyles: a home center for the tools and equipment to
   renovate their house, or a sporting goods store for gear for
   weekend camping trips.
5. Select items with a range of prices Few people want to spend $300 on a gift, so make sure to include items in the $30 to $50 range. Check back often to see how things are moving on your registry. If all the inexpensive stuff is going, you might want to add more picture frames or other low-cost items.