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Wedding Registry Dos and Don’ts You just got engaged — congratulations! With all the details that go into planning a perfect wedding, the gift registry may not be the first thing on your mind. However, as soon as your loved ones hear the exciting news, they’ll want to celebrate with you — and they’ll want to know where you’re registered. Here are the dos and don’ts to remember as you plan your wedding registry. D O C OMPLETE THE R EGISTRY IN A DVANCE While it may feel early, you should set up your registry soon after you get engaged. Your loved ones may want to get you a gift of congratulations, especially if your friends and family plan to host a shower for you. You can always add more items to your registry later if you need to. It's ideal to complete your registry four to six months before the wedding date. D O R EGISTER AT M ORE T HAN O NE S TORE If you only register at one place, your guests may not have enough options to select from. You should absolutely register at more than one store. Give your guests a mix of traditional and non-traditional choices. For instance, if you and your fiancé share a favorite hobby, include related gifts on your registry. However, some of your guests, especially older guests, will feel more comfortable with traditional household-related options. How many places should you register? The size of your reg- istry will depend on how many guests are invited and how much you need. For a small wedding, registering at two or three stores is enough. While it's great to include a local specialty store on your registry, you should also include at least one big- box store like Amazon. This will make it easier for your guests who live far away. If you’re inviting more than 150 people, you may want to register at more places. TheKnot.com recommends registering at four or five stores if your guest list is 150 or more. (1) D O R EMEMBER TO W RITE T HANK -Y OU N OTES The generosity of your loved ones deserves to be acknowl- edged. Everyone who gave you a gift should be thanked. Ac- cording to Emily Post, “it’s a myth that you have a year to send thank-you notes for your wedding presents.” (2) For gifts you re- ceive before your wedding, send a thank-you note within two weeks; for gifts received on your wedding day, send a thank- you note within three months of your honeymoon. (3) Here are several tips for wedding thank-you notes. • Personalize your thank-you notes. Acknowledge the person, not just the gift. • Do not use email in lieu of writing a personal note. • Be enthusiastic, but not overly effusive. • Do not send form letters or pre-printed messages. 12 AL/ Metro 360 www.almetro360.com Williams Sonoma offers this classic blend of dried herbs from the South of France — Herbs de Provence — in a reusable covered crock made of Provençal clay. P RINTER AND / OR I NK It may be an increasingly digital world out there, but couples are often surprised how much they have to print, from coupons to boarding passes, to updated resumes and financial documents. Printer cartridges tend to be expensive so ink is a very practical and useful gift for young couples on a budget. C OOKING S PICES Don’t just ask for the storage rack, ask for the actual spices. They tend to be expensive and a bit of an investment, but they come in handy for new couples on a budget cooking meals at home.