Making a List, Checking It Twice

As far as anyone knows, the first bridal registry was launched at a Midwestern jewelry store during the 1930s. By 1935, Macy’s was offering personal shopping, with the slogan “delicate hints will delicately be dropped.”

Here are some tips to make the registry experience pleasing, courtesy of Millie Bratten, editor in chief of Bride’s magazine:

* Before you choose a store, get a sense of what you want. Think of your lifestyle. Do you have any special interests? If you like hiking you might want to register at REI; if you like music, there’s Tower Records.

* It’s best to make an appointment with a registry consultant before you go to a store.

* When choosing items, make sure you have a wide price range. Remember, you’re registering for shower and wedding gifts. And, not all your friends may be able to afford English bone china.

* As it gets close to your big day, check in on your registry once a week to ensure that there’s still a range of items--and prices--available.

Some tips for gift-givers:

* Make sure the cashier knows that you are buying items off a registry list. Not doing so is a major culprit in causing doubles.

* Think of creative ways to augment items off the registry. For instance, if you choose to buy an iron, pair it up with vintage lace napkins found at a flea market. Fresh beans are a nice complement to a coffee grinder.

* If nothing off the registry excites you or if you just don’t like to shop that way, check out the registry anyway. It gives you a sense of the couple’s taste.