Simply choosing the appropriate mix of bridal registries which thoughtfully merges the new couple's needs and tastes with the comfort level of their guests does not finish the project. As a matter of fact there is still much to be considered - like how to tastefully let friends and family know about the wedding gift registry.
Indeed, most friends and family love to shower the new couple with offerings that will help them launch their new life together. This is where good etiquette comes in, making it possible for the engaged couple to conduct themselves with grace and honor.
Have class from the beginning: No one is impressed by a couple that comes across as though all they care about is gifts. So, make the wedding gift registry information available one of two ways (or both): 1) Use a website to manage rsvp's and keep your guests informed of all information related to the wedding. This makes it easy to include a wedding registry navigation button on the front page of your website. This allows guests to look and pursue, or not... anonymously, until they choose to give a gift. 2) Or verbally. Let the couple's parents and wedding attendants know so that guests have contacts who know of the registries.
Good etiquette grows from good thinking: Remember, gifts are not a requirement of the guests. Receiving a gift is a privilege. There is no true formula regarding how much they should spend on the gift. It is their decision based on their private situation.
Likewise, never ask for cash: If the couple's individual situation demands mostly cash gifts, allow the bridal party to disseminate the information.
"No Gifts Please": When two well established individuals marry who do not need the gifts to get a new household started it is prudent to provide guests with the option of giving to one of several charities in lieu of gifts.
Good etiquette demands graciousness: Always respond with a handwritten thank you note within two weeks of receiving the gift - two weeks after returning from the honeymoon is acceptable if the couple leaves for the honeymoon immediately after the wedding as no one expects a new couple to spend their honeymoon writing thank you notes.
Good etiquette requires recipients to be judicious: An astute couple will refrain from using any present whether from a bridal shower or simply an early wedding gift until after the nuptials. Why? Because, if the wedding is called off for any cause - any reason at all - good etiquette demands that all gifts be returned.
While good etiquette sometimes seems inopportune, it is not. Good manners are a reward in themselves. They enable individuals to get along better. At the same time they also tends to have tangible rewards in that, people tend to be more generous and more open and receptive toward people with good etiquette. But do not do it for selfish reasons. Selfish motives tend to find their way to the surface. Instead bridal registry etiquette because they enable the couple to treat their guests with the honor, love, and respect they deserve.
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