Read below for tips on how to determine the perfect amount of gifts to include on your wedding registry. With just a few considerations, not only will you get the most out of your registry, but you'll make it an easy process for you and friends and family members.
Invitation Only
First determine how many friends and family members you've invited to your wedding. If you're inviting 150 people, then you'll know immediately that registering for 15 items isn't your best plan. Those gifts will likely get fulfilled within a few days, forcing the rest of your guests to come up with an alternative, which may not be the most useful for you.
When in doubt, choose more items than the number of invitees. That way, your guests can easily scroll through your registry and find the best gift matches for them. Give your friends and family plenty of options. Ultimately, it will be beneficial for both sides.
Additionally, be sure include a variety of price points so you can suit the budget of every guest -- everything from $25 to $75 to even $200.
Space Considerations
Next, it's important to consider how much room you have for potential wedding gifts. Let's say you live in an apartment but register for a few hundred gifts. If every item gets fulfilled, will you even have the space to keep them? The last thing you want to do is create a home full of clutter or be forced to put certain items in storage, which can be expensive.
If you don't have enough space for a lot of physical gifts, consider adding a number of non-tangible items like activities, experiences, or donations to your favorite charity.
Assess Your Needs
What items or experiences could you really use? Sit down together as a couple and take inventory of all the different items. Is your kitchen mixer on its last legs? Use your registry to make the upgrade. Have you always wanted to go whitewater rafting together? Ride the rapids by adding a local excursion to your list.
Also, you don't have to add certain traditional registry items just because your parents did or because big name retailers tell you to. Are you really going to use that extra large punch bowl? And what about that set of 12 martini glasses? If the answer is not likely, then be sure to add items you'll get good use out of.
Wishful Thinking
Is there a particular item or experience you've been coveting for years but may be a tad expensive? Whether it's a new grill for the patio or chartering a sailboat for a thrilling day out on the water, don't forget to add it to your registry. Who knows, maybe your siblings or sorority sisters will chip in to make that dream item a reality.
Update Your Registry if Necessary
If you find out that your original gift estimate was a bit off, that's completely okay. You can still add items along the way. However, it will be important to set up your registry early. That way, you'll have plenty of time to monitor everything and see if you need to make any edits.
In case you missed it:
10 Essential Rules for a Wedding Registry
Registry Inspiration: 5 Unique Post-Wedding Weekend Getaways