Ok, so as most of you probably know, i'm engaged (got engaged last december) and am getting married next September. Recently, my fiancée has been wanting me to call a local department store to start a gift registry. Personally, I think it's way too soon for this, but she's thinking since I'm probably getting an apartment in January, we can get most of the things for the apartment we would need. She's planning on getting the registry (at least part of it) up for Christmas, so we can get some of the necessary items for the apartment before January.

My thoughts are, if it's a Bridal registry, it's just that. It's not for Christmas, it's not for Easter, etc. It's just a list of gifts that we wouldn't return if we got them for our wedding. Am I wrong for thinking this? Anyone else think we should go ahead and set up a registry so people can get us wedding/housewarming presents for Christmas? I understand her thinking a little bit, but I usually get more cash than anything for Christmas and can just buy whatever I'll need at that time.

 

i'd wait a bit. you never know what type of new things are going to be coming out around christmas and into the new year that you 'just have to have'

 

If you put up the registry now, how would you tell everyone your registry is up? Usually you stick something in the wedding invitation saying where you are registered at.

Oh and then its like you are asking for two gifts, please get me a gift for the apartment I am getting in Jan and don't forget to bring something to the wedding.

 

Yeah, I'm not sure about how we'd tell everyone either.

That's kinda what i'm thinking too. I know she usually gives her parents a list what she wants for Christmas, but I don't really see the need for tying that into the registry.

 

No one's going to be shopping for your wedding gift or checking the registry a year before your wedding (you'd probably be surprised at how many people will shop last-minute for your gift!)! I don't see what your wedding has to do with you moving, either. I agree with you. If there are things you'd like to request for the holidays, do that of close friends or family (who usually ask what you'd like), but not for general knowledge or expectation. EDIT: Or at least don't expect any "wedding gifts" (eg: things for your apartment that you're expecting to get now) until YOUR WEDDING next September!

 

I'd say wait a bit. People will put it off til your wedding is closer. Also, if you do it now and the stores discontinue anything you really wanted, you'd probably be a bit pissed. Or more to the point....she would.

Also, just a hint. When we did ours we saw a bunch of things that we liked, but we thought it would be too expensive for any of our friends to buy. You should add it anyways. The stores will usually give you a discount towards the items that were not purchased and usually you will end up with some gift cards. If I did that, then that $1000 bar at Crate and Barrel would have been mine for almost $500.

 

Wait, its too early. Fiancé sounds like she's going to be a bridezilla

 

I think she's just getting excited about it and she's all about planning ahead for just about everything. She's already figured out what she's getting me for Christmas.

 

Next september? That's a year away. That WAY too early. Been to 4 weddings this year & dealing with this. 3 months before the wedding is plenty of time. You can't use the thinking that things could help you now cause people expect you to get married. They are going to balk at getting a gift registry shoved in their face a full year in advanced. Lots of things can happen in a year.

 

just tell her it's a wee bit too early for that. Nobody is gonna buy you a gift a year in advance. period.

 

Yes, it's way too early. People normally don't check out a wedding registry and buy gifts until about 2 months before the wedding.

 

thanks everyone, at least i know i'm not losing my mind (not yet, anyway).

 

I agree that you should wait a while. One thing you might want to consider is set it up a month or two before any engagement party, if you have one.