Can we telll them about our registry for our engagement party?
We are currently planning our engagement party, and I was wondering if it would be okay to include a gift registry card with our invites. I don't want it to seem like we expect any presents, but at the same time, we have been living together for a while - and there are a number of items we really don't need.
Michelle , Waikato
Official Site Photography by Wellington Photographers
Erin answers...
People always feel a bit uncomfortable telling their guests about their gift registry. Remember that wedding registers are expected. On the flipside, engagement presents are normally optional, and engagement registers are fairly uncommon in New Zealand (not so abroad, but the practice hasn't hit us here).
However, there's no reason why you shouldn't give your guests a heads up from the first wedding-related function. You don't really want a pile of engagement gifts that you already have, and then the hassle of having to and feeling bad about having to return them.
If you don't want people to assume you expect a gift, add a note to your invitation so you make it clear that gifts are not required. Something like:
We're ahead of the game! We have included our registry details for your information. However, please note that engagement presents are certainly not expected.
OR maybe something like:
Please note: presents are not expected. However, if you insist on bringing a gift, we have already created our wedding registry at ...
