Go

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
gifts_lge.jpg

gifts

Your friends and family will all want to buy you a special gift. What to buy is usually the question and this is where you can help by being pre-organised. It also saves doubling up on presents or receiving unneeded gifts. As a general rule, gift registries provide a simple solution.


Gift registers
Many stores, particularly larger department style stores such as Myer, David Jones, Freedom, Mikasa and Pillow Talk run bridal registers. There are also a number of on-line gift registries. These services allow you to shop for the presents you want, record each item and then allow guests access to the list. The registers are well run and if used correctly inhibit the problem of double-ups and returns. If you do not want to limit your selection of gifts to one particular store we have provided pages in the planner for you to copy and use for your own personal registry. You can nominate one of your parents or friends to manage the gift list so you can receive the presents you really want.

When selecting your gifts remember some of your friends and relatives may be on a strict budget. For this reason it is a good idea to choose a number of gifts in varied price ranges. In today’s liberal society, many couples have lived together before they are married and already own many of the traditional household wedding gifts. If you are one of those couples who really do have just about everything, then consider some of the unique and different gifts that you’d really like, but probably wouldn’t buy for yourself. In Brisbane, a number of outdoor markets provide a range of unique, quality handcrafted items that make wonderful gifts. Have a stroll around, and if you see something you like, check that the stall operator they will be remaining at those markets for a while and add the item to your gift register.

Photo: Lee-Ann Wilson Photography

 How to use the Bridal Registry:
  1. download the ‘Our Wedding Planner' from this website;
  2. select and write in the presents you would like, the price and the store or location;
  3. ask the bride’s and groom’s mothers to co-ordinate the registry;
  4. photocopy your list and give a copy to the person/s co-ordinating the registry. Advise your co-ordinator/s that guests will be phoning them. Ask them to write in who is buying which present and to advise the guests when they phone if their present has already been purchased. If it has, the co-ordinator can help by advising the guest as to which presents still have not been bought.
  5. write a note to your guests worded like this: Dear guest, to help you with your wedding gift shopping, we have included a list of items we would like for our new lives together. If you decide to purchase one of these items, please phone our registry co-ordinator (insert co-ordinator’s name and phone number here) and advise which gift you are buying. The co-ordinator will check the item has not already been purchased and, if not, will make sure that nobody else buys it; and Many thanks, (your signature)
  6. photocopy as many registry lists and notes as you need and send them out with your invitations. Often when printing your stationery, you could include gift registry details with an RSVP card. An example would be as follows: If you are planning on giving a wedding gift we would love you to use your imagination. If, however, you would like some guidance, we have bridal registry gifts at the following stores: (insert stores and contact details here). Gift wrapping and delivery can be arranged for a fee. RSVP from (insert your name ............... ) I/we would like to attend… wedding and accept your invitation with pleasure. I/we would like to attend… wedding but unfortunately am/are unable to accept your invitation. Please post a stamp on the front of this card and post.
Alternately people may wish to give you credit at a particular store by purchasing a gift certificate or you may wish people to make monetary donations towards something special, such as your honeymoon. For this reason, money trees and wishing wells have become popular at the reception in place of the gift table. Remember to advise guests of this wish prior to the wedding, preferably on the invitation.

 

 
Receiving gifts
You will need to organise how you want your gifts delivered and advise your guests accordingly. Traditionally, gifts are brought to the bride’s parents’ home prior to the wedding. However, traditions change and many people now bring the present to the reception. If so, remember to organise a suitably sized table for the presents to be left on. Some weddings feature an ‘unwrapping ceremony’. Although it is a nice thought to thank people publicly for their gifts, it can also be embarrassing to those who are short of money and may not have been able to spend as much as they would have liked.

Also, when unwrapping presents at the reception you are quite likely to separate card and gift and very likely to forget who gave you what - making writing thank you notes quite difficult and rather vague. Nominating an able body with a roll of sticky tape, or even better, someone who can make a list of presents received and from whom, is a very good idea. Unfortunately, security is an issue when gifts are brought to the reception. Ensuring your presents are in view reduces the chance they will be stolen or damaged. Remember, a gift is a gift from the heart. It has no more important value than the good wishes represented by its presentation. Remember that and you will never be disappointed.

Many couples also have an unwrapping ceremony on the day after their wedding where guests pop in and share the day with the newlyweds. Often the top layer of the cake is kept and served during the day with some champagne.

Thank-yous
Traditionally once you have returned from your honeymoon, it is time to send thank-yous to everyone for celebrating your wedding with you and for your wedding presents. A good idea is to keep a record of presents as you receive them to make this task a little easier.

 
 Prev  Next