A FRESH OUTLOOK ON YOUR GIFT REGISTRY
By Amy Winter, Copley News Service
Gift registries are no longer limited to cookware, tableware or bed linens. This personalized list also can include leisure activities, furniture, home improvement items or honeymoon excursions.
“Couples should look to the future when selecting items for their registry,” says Hilleary Kehrli, public relations manager for Williams- Sonoma. “This is an opportunity to build out their ultimate wish list, to choose products that will stand the test of time and that have unique qualities that will be treasured for years to come.” Since many couples are marrying at an older age, they don’t need as many basic items for their home. Anna Pezik, senior editor at www.brides.com, says couples can upgrade and “look for items to fill the gaps.” Mix new items with your old collections. Register for better-quality products. Bright-colored casual dinnerware is becoming more popular than formal china. Amy Finley, group editor of LoveToKnow Weddings, says couples tend to have more informal gatherings rather than elegant dinner parties. But it might be a good idea to register for both casual and formal dinnerware. When it comes to china, many brides are drawn to the new Lenox Simply Fine collection at Macy’s Home Store, according to Pauline Shiu, bridal marketing and events manager. Finley lists other top kitchen items as serving platters, small appliances, flatware, table linens and cookware sets. Kehrli adds waffle makers and blenders.
Outdoor equipment and accessories seem to be common on gift lists. Barware such as margarita mixers or stemless wine glasses could come in handy when entertaining, according to Anja Winikka, associate editor of www.weddingchannel.com. “Many couples may come into a marriage with the basics like blenders and toasters,” says Finley. “But they would love to have outdoor furnishings and accessories to entertain friends and family on their deck or patio.” Upgrade bed linens and towels for the bedroom and bathroom. Shiu recommends Haven Purely Organic sheets from Macy’s. Sheet sets, comforters, pillows and accent décor (picture frames or mirrors) also are requested for the bedroom, according to Finley. Select towels and guest towel sets. Spa-type bath gifts such as towel-warming rods or special shower heads seem to be gaining popularity.
Couples may need organizing structures to use as shelves in the bedroom or bathroom. The All Clad Slow Cooker and the Breville Panini Press top the registry gift list at Williams-Sonoma. Kehrli’s Top 10 list of popular items includes: stainless-steel cookware set, stand mixer, toaster oven, wine glass set, cutlery block set, coffee or espresso maker,roaster, French porcelain dinnerware, stainless-steel tool set and monogrammed ice bucket.
Some couples favor nontraditional gift ideas. For a larger ticket price, put down furniture items. A group of friends or close relatives could pitch in as a group to purchase a couch or coffee table. If you enjoy outdoor activities, include hiking gear, camping equipment or other hobby-specific gifts on your list. Winikka suggests registering for your honeymoon. Guests can help pay for honeymoon excursions, dinners or hotel rooms. Don’t forget to ask for luggage – it is important to have for the honeymoon and future trips.
Another option is to give charity donations. If you aren’t in need of many accessories, guests can provide money donations as wedding gifts.
Small items such as picture frames, decorative vases, salt and pepper shakers or throw blankets usually are left off registries, according to Shiu. Stores provide consultants to help couples choose appropriate gifts. Finley says most stores have a “suggested” registry list to use as a guideline. Registries are available online, making it easy to update. And www.weddingchannel.com offers free personal wedding Web sites — couples can put a link to their registry on the site. Register at two or three places; it gives guests a range of different gifts.
“Gift registries have always been about timeless items for the home, from premium kitchen cookware to luxury bed and bath items,” says Kehrli. “It takes the guesswork out of giving gifts, and helps to ensure you’ll like what you receive as a present.
Style all your own
invitations
By Chandra Orr,
Copley News Service
Copley News Service
Custom invitations designed to work with the entire theme of the wedding are the hottest trend of the moment. It’s all about generating a sense of excitement for the big day. “Does it fit with the theme? Does it give your guests a sense of excitement? Does it show off how you want the wedding festivities to begin? These are the most important things to consider when designing or choosing your invitation,” said wedding planner Samantha Goldberg, featured host on the Style Network’s hit show “Whose Wedding Is It Anyway?”
Get Creative
“There are no rules. It’s about you and your partner setting the mood or expectations for the big day,” Goldberg says. In setting the tone, brides are gravitating toward unconventional ways to let friends and family know about the upcoming nuptials. They’re trading traditional rectangular cards for round, oversized, tea-length and trifold invitations with pockets to hold response cards, maps and registry information.
They’re going bold with custom graphics, rhinestone and ribbon embellishments and dramatic pops of color. They’re even creating their own monograms and logos. “Couples are having companies design custom logos with their initials and using it to brand their invitations, as well as the menu, favors and even the cake,” said Alex Lluch, co-founder of WeddingSolutions.com and co-author of more than 70 books, including “Make Your Wedding Beautiful, Memorable & Unique,” (Wedding Solutions, $20).
“You want to create something your guests will proudly display on their refrigerators. One of our brides recently chose a subtle black bird print, with tiny rhinestone accents. It lent a very sophisticated, vintage feel.” “Postcards with a personal, informal picture are very popular right now,” Lluch said. “We are also seeing boxed invitations, where a small memento comes with the invite.”
Plantable invitations are one of Lluch’s favorite new trends. From handmade paper embedded with wildflower seeds to invites adorned with seed packets, this hot new trend is a great way to get guests to recycle the invitation while leaving a lasting reminder of the big day. Other options include metal invitations, invites with save-thedate magnets, even DVD invitations.
Do it yourself
There’s no limit to how wild or creative you can get. With so much emphasis on customization, it’s no surprise that doit- yourself invitation kits are becoming an increasingly popular choice. Just download the proper template, fill in your information and print the pre-designed invitations on your home computer. It’s certainly a less expensive alternative to professionally printed invitations, but you have to factor in the time and stress that comes with doing it yourself. “There are many simple and beautiful DIY kits, but you may find that you can’t put a price tag on time,” Goldberg said. “Just make sure you have the patience to complete them. Unless you have an unlimited schedule with lots of time, you should spend the extra $50 to $100 for professional printing and cut back elsewhere,” she said.
Get a professional
There are other benefits to working with a professional. A reputable printer will walk you through each step of the design process, from color choice to wording and offer suggestions to ensure your invitation reflects your own unique style. From there, you can sit back, focus on other aspects of wedding planning and rest assured your invitations will arrive on time and be correct. “If something goes wrong you have a chance to redo it without spending extra money,” Goldberg said. “Plus, you don’t have to worry about adding another task to the list of things to do. You cannot put a fee on less stress.”
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