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Do you think it is right to make a wedding gift list?

My girlfriend and I are getting married next year and she would like to compile a list of items that we can publish for guests to read and then leave at a shop for people to buy. I really hate the idea but hear that it's quite popular. What are people's thoughts about this?

Public Comments

1. People will expect. Most will want to buy a gift and it makes thier life easier if you tell them what you want. Some people do things like ask for donations to a charity that means something to them too.
2. I don't like it either.
3. yes
4. my daughters wedding is in July , we have had this problem as they are living together and have their own home, so we have asked very kindly in a way of a poem for money gifts. and the response has been great
5. Wedding gift lists have been established practice for many years now. However, the thing your girlfriend should bear in mind is the list is a list of suggestions - guests are free to give a gift of their own choosing if they so wish. It will help the majority of your guests avoid getting you household items you already have, so from that aspect, it is very useful. Please note, the list should be housey items that you will both use, not clothes, jewellery, money for the honeymoon, etc.
6. This is standard procedure. Also, traditionally the man does not get involved in wedding planning that's off limits. I can see the lump on your head getting bigger as every second passes... No question is dumb it is good that you asked!
7. most people would want to see a gift list if they are coming to your wedding, why not put a note with the list saying that you don't expect gifts, but you've made one up for those whom would like to purchase a gift.
8. Gift registries are very common and many of your friends and family may want to purchase you a gift to help furnish any apartment/home you two occupy as a married couple. Most people I've run into actually expect a gift registry. Just be sure that it is items you will use such as towels, sheets, silverware, dishes, etc. If you don't want items for the home, quite a popular idea going around now is making a honeymoon registry where whomever wants to buy you something can purchase tours, trips, dinners, etc for the two of you for the honeymoon.
9. Sure, the correct term for this is called a brides register. The bride will pick a store and sign the bridal registry and go around the store making notes of what they would like for their wedding, it gets listed in the brides registry at that particular store. This is a common practice for tradtional weddings. Good Luck.
10. I think it's a great idea, I hate the stress of picking out gifts, to simply just pick one off a list is my idea of shopping heaven!
11. Many people have a registry now a days. It comes in when someone wants to throw you a shower. Often times people do not know your taste, or what you have already, so a registry is great to have. My husband thought it was a bad idea, untill people started to ask him where we were registred. People do not look at it like you are asking for gifts. Think, if you were to invite a relitive you do not see often other than the usual family event, they will not know what you would want, this helps them out. Be sure to have a wide range of priced items on the list, so if someone is on a tight budget, they do not get stuck with a $300 set of sheets. Also, a common store is good too, Target, Macy's ect, somewhere most people live in a close range to. Think about it, would you rather give someone a gift you know they want, or a gift you think they want, but have hidden in storage and only pull out when you visit?
12. I thinks a horrible thing to do what if some of your guests are on a budget. You should get married because you love each other all the other things that come with a wedding are nice but to expect gifts is not a good thing be thankful for what you get.
13. definately, there is nothing worse then getting three toasters, it is a waste of money for the guest and leads to a certain amount of embarrassment. Many people now a days just ask for money or vouchers
14. Yeah, i do definitely think it's right :) I understand how you feel, it's not the 'traditional way' but as you say it is definitely a popular trend nowdays. In the last 5 weddings I have been to over the past few years, i think nearly every single one had a wedding gift list. Not only is it less stressful on the guests who don't have to spend hours deciding what to buy you, but it's also going to mean that you don't end up with a whole collection of 'junk' which is either useless to you or completely not your taste (like my sister did!! she had most of it stored in her wardrobes!). I guess it does depend on how fussy you (or your to be wife) are stylistically with your home, but i really see it like this. You wouldn't wear any type of clothing, each person has a particular style & certain colors/fits which suit them due to the nature of their body/hair color, & just their taste. Well it's the same thing with homeware.... isn't it better to get something which will last & which you have chosen yourself! After all, only your best friend knows you well enough to choose something that you yourself would have chosen b/c he/she is probably just like you anyway lol! As for those few who think that it's 'rude' or whatever they may be thinking, they will only be a small few. Not only is it prevalent as you say, but it is also going to make the bride happier! I know i would be 100 times happier the day after my wedding, seeing in my house a whole collection of presents that I myself chose & are therefore everything i want, need, & adore ;-) The only ones who may be annoyed about it, are the ones who were hoping they'd come across a decent looking item for half a bargain, thinking they could pass it off at least as having some value. It is these people who may be thinking 'oh no, now they'll know how much i spent on them' & it's these people who we don't need to be concerned about anyway as they aren't real friends. At the end of the day, the wedding list consists of items of different value & they are more than able to chose a cheaper one. If they aren't happy that you know about it, then that's their problem. I'm sure you would have known anyway since quality always shows itself :) That was wordy, but i tried to cover everything for you. Hope that your wedding goes well. Congratulations & all the best .
15. I don't like it but it is accepted practice now and I don't think anyone would think badly of you for it. Make sure you put a variety of items on your list and include smaller items for those on a limited budget.
16. Absolutely not. You shouldn't get married for a few gifts. It's cheap and tacky.
17. It's pretty standard practice - I'd expect one for a wedding I was going to these days and it certainly makes life a lot easier for your guests. Debenhams, John Lewis, House of Fraser etc. all have gift registry departments. We had ours at House of Fraser and you just spend some time selecting the things you want on the list, hand it in to the administrator and they hand you some little cards to include with your invitations how they can place an order. It's also published on their website and you can order online to have it delivered directly - stress and hassle free. There are a few useful guidelines to follow when you're preparing your list. Make sure you include cheap things - some people don't have a lot of money to spend, and include one or two pretty big things as some people may want to club together to buy a gift, or you might have a rich relative desperate to buy you a 90" plasma television. I would recommend not asking for a very formal dinner service unless you plan on doing a lot of entertaining. Since our first child came along I have about £3,000 of platinum edged dinner ware sitting in the attic!
18. isn't that the same thing as having a regeristry? i don't see anything wrong with it.
19. good idea because people will be asking what do you need instead of telling them we need this,this,and this tell tell you are registered at example Wal-Mart JcPennys or some where like that good idea to do two different places because maybe someone wont's to get you something and can't afford the high priced store after all its the thought that counts Best Wishes on the wedding
20. It's a very good idea and is common practice these days. Just make sure you select items from a broad price range so people can buy what they can afford.
21. I know it is getting popular in my country too now, but this idea does not appeal to me...at least this is an American tradition ,I think.About you- there won't be surprise :((( and something more I would think a bit about the guests who cannot afford to spend much money.
22. You go to a store and register - - that is how you make a list of what you would like. I think registering is completely appropriate. It allows you to let people know what you would like and would use. It also helps ensure that you don't end up with 5 new toasters because when someone purchases an item from the registry it should update so others know someone else has gotten that item for you.
23. Gift registry's are very common now. I personally love them because you are guaranteed to get something the bride and groom want and love. What more could you want? Make sure however that there is a range of different priced items so that guests can buy what they can afford. If you dont want to do it through a store... give the list to the best man or maid of honor and they can keep track of what is left on the list and let guests know.
24. I think this is perfectly acceptable and accepted for first marriages. I like it when Brides leave a list at a shop because there is no panic about what to get.
25. Yes, it's called a gift registry. Totally acceptable for weddings.
26. It definitely makes life easier for both you and your guests. There are a number of gift list services from shops such as John Lewis & Debenhams.
27. I think it's cheeky. I've not given people a list of things to buy for my wedding. If they want to buy things then that's up to them what they buy.