Cookware, dishware, appliances: The right way to register

     Bridal registries were originally for the elite, but today nearly all engaged couples are creating gift wish lists. From flatware to dishware to towels and bedding, bridal registries allow soon-to-be newlyweds to collect what they need to begin their life together.

     Increasingly, stores have started to offer bridal registries online so couples can pick and click their way to gifts they want and will use.

Getting started

     It’s important when deciding on where to register to take into account where the majority of wedding guests live. If most guests live nearby, registering at a local store will be convenient for most shoppers. However, if guests come from different areas, consider registering at chains or stores that allow friends and family access to your registry online.

     Be sure you know the store’s policies before registering with them. Find out if they’ll ship gifts to wherever you want. Ask about their return or exchange policy so you aren’t stuck with five toasters or three coffee pots. Inquire how guests can make purchases, whether online, by phone or via fax. If the stores can only take orders placed online, wedding guests without Web access could face problems.

     Managing your registry has gotten even easier with a new trend that lets you register at several stores while still having only one master registry. Web sites like WeddingChannel.com, Amazon.com or OrganizedRegistry.com offer cross-store registering through their Web sites. Previously, you had to set up individual registries at each store, giving you two, three or even more registries. Now you can register at multiple stores and still have one registry, which makes things easier for your guests and you.

Choosing your goods

     Determining what to put on a bridal registry can be a daunting task. Couples need to remember immediate needs but also look toward the future. While a fine china set with service for 12 seems ridiculous if you are living in a studio apartment, that china will be useful when it’s your turn to host Thanksgiving dinner. And it’s cheaper to keep the china in storage than to shell out the money later to buy the set. When picking these long-term items, pick designs that are timeless. A china pattern that’s trendy today may be outdated by the time you dust it off, so stick with simple and classic styles.

     Guests tend to buy items that they think the couple will use for years to come. While most couples put bedding and towels on their registries, few guests actually purchase those items. It is inevitable that the bedding will get worn and that the towels will have to be thrown out, along with the memory of who purchased those gifts. Guests would rather buy a set of dinnerware or a coffee maker that they think will last. Experts say go light on bed and bath items on a registry. Instead, focus on furnishing a kitchen and getting the big appliances you also may need.

Number crunching

     Including items of a variety of prices on a registry is also essential. To ensure that you get everything on your registry, make sure to have items in the lower-end price range. Yes, it’s acceptable to have the $350 cappuccino machine that you’ve always dreamed of and you can’t fathom living one more day without. But if people have to spend more than they planned to get you something off your registry, they might instead purchase something from another store that isn’t your style or that you don’t really need.

     Also, always put more items on your registry than expected guests. That way, you have enough gifts available to cover wedding, plus shower or engagement party gifts. Remember -- some people might end up buying several lower-priced items rather than one large one. If guests check your registry and find that there is nothing left to buy, you risk getting a gift you don’t want.

     Remember, a registry ensures you get what you want (and don’t have to return what you don’t want), but it also helps guests know what to give you as a gift and saves them some valuable shopping time.