For many guests, getting an invitation to a wedding also means going shopping in a few days to get a new dress, shoes, perhaps a new purse, and of course, a gift for the newlywed couple to help them start a home.

Majority of the guests right away think of stuff for the home: blankets, pillows, a wok, a pitcher, a toaster, a rice cooker, a set of spoons and forks, shower curtains, bath towels, etc. The list goes on. Sometimes, they might buy the couple a toaster, while three other guests think of the same thing without knowing they all have the same idea. Meanwhile, three other guests separately think of buying a beautiful glass pitcher for the couple, without knowing that they were all thinking of getting exactly the same pitcher of the same color, the same size and the same design. While they have those ideas in their minds, everybody thought someone else will give the couple a nice kettle, or a wok. But in the end, nobody gave one and the couple ended up getting 3 pieces each of the exact same pitcher, toaster, electric mixer, or worse, 90% of the guests gave the couple various kinds of picture frames.

To the relief of marrying couples and wedding guests as well, in 1924, a department store called Marshall Field’s, in Chicago, started the practice of a bridal registry. Starting then, the engaged couple can visit the department store several weeks before the wedding and choose items that they want to receive as gifts from their guests, such as china, silver, linen and other items they prefer for their new home-to-be. These selected items are then listed by the store, and the couple informs their guests about this registry. The guests can then just go to this store, inquire about the couple’s choice of gifts and from the list, choose which one they want to buy for the couple. The gift they purchase is then removed from the list, so that the succeeding guests will not be getting that same gift for the couple anymore. This system allows the guests to purchase gifts that the couple will actually like and eliminates the couple’s problem of receiving too many gifts that are exactly the same.

Decades after the first bridal registry was introduced, The Gift Certificate Center in Minnesota introduced in 1993 an electronic self-service gift registry system, which was first used in the US-based Target stores. Years later, online registries became popular. Some online bridal registries are limited to a certain location or country, with limited products available only in that particular store. However, there are also very flexible online registries now, wherein anyone from anywhere in the world can pick a gift for the couple from the choices the couple has selected from almost any store they choose. They can even now divide the cost of a certain appliance, for example, into more affordable shares, so that guests can just get a share each, contributing to the total cost of that certain product. The evolution of the bridal registry system has really gone a long way and has become so much convenient now, both for the couple and the guests.

So which bridal registries are available in the market? Mareeyah.com has compiled a list below to aid you in this part of your wedding planning.


Our Wishing Well
… is an online gift registry which is very practical as it is available for use of more than 150 countries around the world and handles all major currencies. This registry is perfect for overseas guests and for couples who already have most household needs or are transients.


The Melbourne Wedding Registry
… offers the biggest product range of any bridal registry specialist, including everything you can find in a department store, and much more. They have products from all the top brands – plus unusual items, such as fine wines, vintage posters and fabulous dining experiences.


Bridal Travel Registry
… is Australia’s first national concept of it’s type. It was started in 1994 and has been designed for the new bride and groom who may already have their house set up. It is a great way to give them a gift of a honeymoon.

Honeymoon Wishes
… features ideas for your perfect honeymoon or wedding spot! From all-inclusive resorts, to international cruises and exotic island getaways, you can choose your destination, select your activities and accommodations and be on your way to the honeymoon of your dreams.


Bed Bath & Beyond
… has registry checklist, incentives, bridal toolkit, ideas and advices about wedding registry stuff to help you out in your wedding planning process. They have stores nationwide with expert Registry consultants that would be willing to help you anytime you drop by.

Dillard’s Registries
… has a wide array of necessary household items perfect for a newlywed couple. And just in case you cannot make up your mind what to get, they have gift cards that your guests can purchase and present to you. Dillard’s has outlets in all of the USA.

The Honeymoon
… is a registry for honeymoon stuff. They have plenty of destination packages to choose from, all over the world, plus information about hotels and resorts just about everywhere. Every couple will surely enjoy the honeymoon and destination packages created by its team of travel experts.

Want to know what other newlywed wives have to say about wedding gifts based on their own experiences of receiving gifts for their weddings?

They’ve been there and done that. They’ve had their share of excitedly opening wedding presents , happily getting that one and only very useful microwave oven, and getting exasperated at the appearance of the 10th picture frame among the gifts. So, what do newlywed wives say about the gifts they got? What advices can they give brides-to-be and wedding guests as well? Mareeyah.com conducted a little survey among the newly wedded women to get their ideas and opinions on wedding gifts. Perhaps this might help brides and grooms to know what they might expect. And hopefully, aid wedding guests in getting ideas what might be more useful and what might be annoying to give to the marrying couple.

Did you sign up for a wedding registry?
“No.” - Dianne
“Nope.” - Marijo
“We signed up at Target.” - Anskie
 “I did not sign up for a wedding registry. It wasn’t a usual thing to do in my hometown.” - Kylie

What items did you receive from wedding guests that you especially need/like?
“Oven toaster, blender, rice cooker and microwave oven.” – Dianne
“P15,000 Cold Cash! It was a big help for us to start. Other gifts that I like were Orocan drawers and beddings.” - Marijo
“Flat iron and rice cooker.” - Anskie
“Rice cooker and wine glass.” – Kylie

What items did you receive from wedding guests that you least needed/liked?
“A fancy figurine with clock.” - Dianne
“NO PICTURE FRAMES FOR ME PLEASE!” – Marijo
“Picture frames.” – Anskie
“Figurines.” – Kylie

What items did you receive from wedding guests that were more than what you need?
“Too many cups and saucers.” – Dianne
“PICTURE FRAMES and ALBUMS :-0″ – Marijo
“Picture frames and towels.” – Anskie
“Plates.” – Kylie

What items of necessity you wished somebody had given you but nobody did?
“Gas stove.” – Dianne
“Towels.” – Marijo
“Crock pot.” – Anskie
“Gas stove, refrigerator, washing machine and aircon.” - Kylie

Based on your experience in receiving wedding gifts, what do you feel would be the best or most useful item you can give to a newly wed couple?
“It depends on whether the couple is just starting or already established. for starters, kitchen ware are very useful…for those who already have the essentials, you better ask the couple (or spy around) what they still need :-) ” – Dianne
“It depends. Cash or gift certificates are always the best, because only the couple will know what they truly need.” – Marijo
“Rice cooker.” – Anskie
“Cash.” – Kylie