3 O’Clock Wedding

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Here are the questions that we get asked most regarding wedding gift lists along with our answers:

Q - What should we do about a wedding gift list if we have lived together for years?
A - Even if you have lived together for years, you should still have a wedding gift list.  Take this opportunity to upgrade the belongings that you have and perhaps even add some special items to the list - items that you love but would never buy for yourself.

Q - We are finding it hard to choose just one wedding gift list, can we have two?
A - It is not a good idea to have two lists, especially if they offer similar items, as it can be confusing for the guests.  You should try and make your list as straightforward as possible, if you do this your guests are more likely to purchase items from it.  The exception to this would be if you wanted to have a traditional gift list as well as something more specific such as donations to charity, artwork or wines.

Q - How early should we register our wedding gift list?
A - We would suggest registering your gift list before you send out your invitations because there are always guests that want to buy their gifts for you as soon as they receive their invitation.  However, beware that some companies only let you open your gift list a certain number of weeks before your wedding day but on the other hand, some companies let you open your list whenever you like.  It is becoming more and more popular to have your wedding gift list online.  Although, many stores offer both an online gift list and a paper gift list that can be obtained from their store.  Many stores will have consultants that will guide you through the process of putting a list together, advise you on the range of products available and help you find the right items for you.  Most big stores offer a vast selection of items that could go on your list - from basic kitchen items to large pieces of furniture.  Often, items can be chosen for your wedding gift list that are not actually in the store. 

Q - How can we tell our guests about our wedding gift list without offending them?
A - Many stores supply discreet notification cards, with website and contact details, that you can enclose with your invitations.  If you leave it to your guests to get in touch with a family member to find out where your list is, it makes everything so much more complicated for your guests and can actually make them feel awkward.  If you are worried about offending your elderly guests by enclosing a gift list card in their invitation, you could simply make an exception for them and not enclose one with their invitation.  Elderly guests are normally more likely to contact the family directly anyway.

Q - What do we need to consider when choosing a store for our wedding gift list?
A - After the wedding, many newlyweds find it useful to be able to swap some of the gifts that they have been bought from the gift list store.  For example, you may have been bought a cutlery set from your wedding gift list but also another cutlery set from a different store, you could swap the one from your gift list for something else.  Some stores confirm your gifts after the wedding.  Therefore, if you are moving house, you can arrange to receive your gifts at a more convenient time.  If you are having an online gift list, you need to ensure that the store the list is with has a good website.  A good website is important as it’s helpful for guests to be able to see pictures of the gifts and make their purchases online.  You should try and find a store that has a website where couples can add or remove items themselves, view purchases and place their final order.

The main thing is to give your guests a good selection of choices, list more gifts than you would expect to receive with a range of prices.