There are so many aspects of planning a wedding that it can be hard to know where to start. A great way to get your creative juices flowing while taking care of business in a timely fashion is by creating your wedding registry. Thinking long-term, beyond the wedding day itself, will help you and your spouse-to-be focus on who you are and who you are becoming. You’ll get a strong sense of your individual style as a couple and be able to personalize more of your wedding toward that end. While wedding registries can seem like a bit of a mystery, they don’t have to be.
The wedding professionals at Marco Island Weddings have put together a quick, one-stop shopping list of the dos and don’ts of registering for your wedding to help you complete this process and move on to wedding day plans. Take a look then grab that scanner!
DO register early, before guests have time to wonder what to get you. Four to six months prior to your wedding date is the recommended time frame for registering for gifts.
DON’T register for all of your gifts in one day. Let your choices sink in, go back and take a second look, choose items room by room. After a week or two of thinking about your choices, finalize your list and make it available to guests. 
DO choose more items than you have guests. Some guests may want to combine smaller items into a themed gift, while others might simply be last-minute shoppers who would like to choose something you’ll love, too.
DON’T register for big-ticket items only. The crystal, fine china and linen napkins are great for special occasions, but remember that some guests may be on a budget. Plus you’ll love remembering friends and loved ones when you use their gift on a daily basis.
DO register in more than one place. Online stores like Wayfair, Zola, Amazon and The Knot are super-convenient, while some guests may prefer to walk inside a brick-and-mortar store like Target to see their purchase for themselves.
DON’T overdo the number of shops where you’re registered. Two to four stores are plenty and will give guests a variety of choices.
DO post your registry information on your wedding website once you’ve established your registry and finalized the details.
DON’T include registry information in the print on your formal invitations. Save this for a separate piece of paper to be included in the invitation packet, along with directions to the ceremony and reception and any other important information. 
DO get creative when it comes to your registry. This is your life- let guests have a glimpse of what’s to come when they find camping gear, new luggage or beach towels and coolers on your registry. Likewise, if you have the day-to-day household items you need, consider registering for your honeymoon (check out Honeyfund), contributions to a fun adventure (see If Only) or stock portfolio.
DON’T ask for cash directly. It’s still not tasteful, no matter how many etiquette rules we’ve thrown by the wayside. Remember these are gifts and your friends and loved ones want to choose what they hope you’ll love.
Your wedding registry is a great way to help you and your intended begin focusing on your future together, beyond your one special wedding day. It will also give guests enthusiasm for your life together as they peruse your choices and add to your home. Choose a thoughtful, thorough registry then move on to other wedding plans as your guests shop to celebrate you. For more tips and advice about creating the perfect wedding registry, talk to the experts at Marco Island Weddings. We’re here to help you make the most of this special time in your life!