Bridal shower when you don't want to register??? Honeymoon registry? Advice please.

[Jessica4LUXE]

Hi Ladies,

 

One of the owners of my favorite destination wedding photographers based in Toronto, Mango Studios, started the website  www.socialgift.com for exactly the reasons you listed!

 

If you would like to see an article on how it works, click on http://www.blogto.com/tech/2011/05/socialgift_makes_group_gift-giving_a_breeze/

 

It could be a great option for anyone looking to 'register'

 

Best,

Jessica

[MJKH]

We did the same thing as some of the other brides...upgraded our dishes, some small appliances, good knives, etc. for my shower and donated our old ones to a good cause. We thought about a honeymoon registry with the travel agent we booked our DW through...but I had a long chat one day with my aunts and they said they would prefer to give us money, which was just fine with us. With our registries pretty much depleted after the shower, the majority of our friends and family who have given us wedding gifts already have given us cash or gift cards. Honestly, as hard as you try to gently guide your guests towards your preference, you will always have people who have "that special something" tucked away in their closet with your names on it! ; )  

For example, we got two mismatched towels, an oval tablecloth (still in its' package but looks about 10 years old...ohhhh, and btw we have a ROUND table...which this guest knows because she's been over a few times for dinner!!!), a plastic levitating globe...yeah...that went back into the box and right down to the basement!

[whatsup]

cool idea.

[whatsup]

Suggest a friend organize a group gift for a large item. Guest can pitch in a set amount and the friend can buy it based on the replies.

This works well for large showers.

[whatsup]

The photographer/photography idea is great too. Will use this one.

[cinnagirl]

My fiance and I had a lot of going back and forth with this. At first he was determined for no one to give us any gifts, which I said wouldn't work because there will be someone that wants to give us a gift. It's a wedding, it's a happy time and some people like to give gifts at happy times (I'm one of them). Then he said he only wanted cash, but I thought it was rude to just ask for cash. So we're going to register at honeyfund for a honeymoon we'll take later in the year, and then at Home Outfitters for some small cheapy things that we could use an upgrade on. That way if anyone wants to give, there are enough options. 

[Branya2012]

If you really don't want gifts (or anything other than cash) just say no gifts please. That's what we are doing. There are going to people out there that, whether or not they are coming to the wedding, are going to get you a gift regardless of whether you register! My mom is insisting on throwing me a bridal shower, which I don't really want because they are pretty gift-centred, if you ask me, but this is the only time I can have a bridal shower thrown for me, so I figured why not! I think that regardless of whether you register, you are bound to get gifts that you don't want. It's just the nature of the beast!

 

If you want to do the honeymoon fund thing, don't feel bad about it! You can always use the money towards little extras that make your honeymoon even more special and you shouldn't feel bad about it! Registering isn't forcing anyone to buy you anything they don't want to!

 

Good luck!

[JennyBenz]

This is a great post- I have been wondering the same thing. I also feel kind of guilty having someone plan a shower for me and expecting guests to spend more money than they are already to come join us in Mexico for our wedding. Is it strange to feel that way? My friends tell me it's the only time I'll be able to experience this and I should have it, but what do I do as far as gifts? I just don't know.

[Skygirl]

I did very small registry at Bed Bath and Beyond, and the i also did honeyfund, so far people think its a great idea..

[DestinationGirl]

I am in a similar situation, as my FI and I live together already and have everything for the house that we need (and we are limited on space as well).

I have decided that I will not set-up a registry and I have asked my bridesmaids to tell people that they should just give cash - if any of the guests ask. I know that may seem a little rude - but really in this day and age most people should know to just give an envelope with cash in whatever amount they can afford and feel comfortable giving. My FI and I are going to hopefully use that money to pay for our honeymoon anyways.

But yea, this is one tricky topic.