The Registry - 6 to 12 months before

Registering for gifts can be a daunting experience for many couples. Looking at dozens of china patterns and champagne flutes and down comforters and terry towels is enough to test anyone's prenuptial patience. But it's the best way to let your guests know your and your future spouse's tastes and what you need for your new home. And it lessens the chances that you'll receive duplicate gifts.

Traditionally, brides and grooms have registered for such items as fine china and crystal and silver, but now couples are signing up for nontraditional gifts too - anything from camping equipment to a day at the spa. With all of the new ways to register and new products out there, you and your spouse should be able to find exactly what you're looking for.

The first step is to pick the stores that you feel reflect your style and taste. These can range from specialty stores to discount stores (such as Target) to storefronts on the Internet to the traditional department store.

Like most department stores, Lazarus offers a bridal-registry department with a savvy staff prepared to explain procedures and answer your questions. Before heading out there, however, it's a good idea to call to find out if an appointment is necessary. While most stores don't require an appointment for bridal registry, calling ahead may help you avoid a long wait.

When you arrive at the bridal-registry department in Lazarus, you'll be greeted by a representative who will enter your information in the store's computer system. The store's return and exchange policies will be explained to you and you'll be informed of any current promotional offers.

After the introductory meeting, you and your fiance will be given a scanning gun to scan the bar codes of any merchandise you like. Lazarus and most other department stores are terrific places to find linens, flatware and fine china, as well as luggage and small appliances. Most couples find that the scanning process takes about an hour, but you may require more or less time depending upon the length of your wish list.

When all of the items you want have been scanned, you'll return to the bridal registry desk and all of the information will be downloaded. Your wedding guests can then have access to the list, which is automatically updated each time a gift is purchased.

Target has taken a similar route to help you find the gifts you want. After entering your information (names, wedding date, etc.) at the Club Wedd® computerized kiosk, you'll be given a bar-code scanner. From there, you're free to roam the aisles at your own pace, scanning the bar codes of any items that appeal to you.

Target offers a large selection of linens and kitchen items, but consider registering for a few nontraditional gifts as well. A gas grill, a tool set or a camera could make great additions to your home, and your guests will appreciate the option of giving something different.

Once you've scanned the items you want, you'll receive a copy of your list at the guest-service counter. Target's Club Wedd is available at all of it's stores nationwide, so friends and family from all over the country can view your registry. They can even view the registry online at www.target.com.

But if your stress level is too high to brave public venues, consider the convenience of registering online. Dell & James (www.della.com or www.weddingchannel.com) brings together the registries of several leading brand-name retailers, including Crate & Barrel, Neiman Marcus, Williams-Sonoma, Restoration Hardware, REI (outdoors equipment) and Dillard's, and you can also register for gifts from specialty stores in cities like San Francisco, New York and Chicago. The neat thing about this site is that, in addition to the expected crystal and china, Della & James offers nontraditional gift items such as cooking lessons, fine art, spa treatments, chess sets, etc. The site is elegantly designed and easy to navigate and should soothe any fears you might have about the registry process.

TheKnot.com (www.theknot.com) is another power-bridal site. From flatware to flat-screen TV's, dishwashers to digital cameras - even home mortgages and BMW Roadsters - The Knot has it all. The Knot offers more than 10,000 products from 450 top brand-names, including All-Clad, Cuisinart, Calvin Klein, Phaltzgraff, Sony, Waterford and Wedgewood, and offers three ways to order: online, by calling a toll free number (1-877-the-knot), or by fax. You'll get an email notification every time a gift is ordered off your list, and you can receive your gifts in two bulk shipments - pre-wedding and post-wedding - so you won't be bothered with multiple deliveries.

For all the time and detail that goes into your registry, the rewards are many. Your guests can rest assured that they've found the right gift, and you and your fiance end up with just exactly what you wanted to compliment your new home.

Re-printed with permission:
Louisville Bride - 2000
A Supplement to Louisville Magazine
Louisville Magazine