Happy groom and bride create their luxury wedding registry on the iPad in their kitchen
Wedding planning

Every One Of Your Wedding Gift List Questions Answered

Wedding gift lists are becoming increasingly common. But before you commit to starting your wedding registry, you probably have a few questions? In this guide our experts share everything you need to know about wedding gift lists, including how to create a bespoke one tailored to your tastes and needs with The Wedding Present Company.

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8 minutes

Congratulations! You're engaged and are in the midst of meticulously organising your big day, likely working through your wedding planning checklist. Now’s also the time to start curating your wedding gift list. It’s not only a fun and exciting experience, but it comes with added benefits for both you and your guests.

In this guide, we'll answer the most common questions about wedding gift lists, we'll walk you through the advantages of setting one up, and the ins and outs of creating a bespoke wedding registry that's tailored to your tastes and needs. We'll start by covering what exactly a wedding gift list is and why should you have one, then we'll make recommendations on how many gifts to add, plus we'll address the tricky topic of how to politely refer to your wedding gift list on your invites.

Luxury homeware wedding gifts displayed in the bedroom of The Wedding Present Company showroom

What Is A Wedding Registry?

A wedding registry is a curated collection of items, experiences, and cash contributions you wish to receive as gifts from your wedding guests to celebrate your marriage.

A well-compiled wedding registry is an easy and flexible guide for your guests to choose presents from that they know you need and will also love. Whether it's tableware, bed & bath wedding gifts, or contributions to your art and honeymoon funds, your wedding gift list reflects your aspirations as a couple, and the choices available to you are unlimited.

What Is A Bridal Registry?

A bridal registry is just another name for a wedding registry - or the wedding gift list. It’s not to be confused with a bridal shower, however, which is an event that typically happens a few months before the wedding.

WHY SHOULD YOU HAVE A WEDDING GIFT LIST FOR YOUR WEDDING?

Deciding whether to create a gift list for your wedding is a personal choice. However, from our couples’ experience, it’s undoubtedly one of the most enjoyable aspects of wedding planning. There are a lots of other reasons why having a wedding gift list is helpful for you and your guests — we've picked our favourite four.

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The Wedding List Advisor's hands present The Wedding Present Company brochure

1. It’s A Fun Activity With Your Partner

A wedding gift list is something you and your partner can enjoy doing together. It's an exciting opportunity to dream about your future adventures, and think about what you need to achieve them. Our couples find this a bonding experience, which during the hectic planning can enable them to reconnect. We'll help you curate a list of gifts that sets you up for this next stage of your life as a married couple, but that also resonates with your style.

2. Presents That Last A Lifetime

If you already have the basics for your life together, a wedding registry can help you build or upgrade your collection of homewares that you will love and use for a lifetime. Many of our couples share that the presents they recieved from their guests bring them such joy and happy memories every time they use them. Plus, sharing your gift list also helps you avoid the risk of ending up with multiples of the same thing, or items you simply don’t want or need. 

“Having a gift list is a wonderful way of cementing memories from your wedding into your everyday life. I think of my bridesmaids every day when using our dinner plates; they clubbed together to buy them for us.”

Georgie, WPC Bride

Wedding gift list delivery of boxed presents to home

3. You Don’t Have To Worry About Logistics

From transporting gifts to the ceremony to finding a safe place for them at the reception, the practicalities of gift-giving without a registry can be stressful, says Chenai Bukutu, a luxury wedding planner. “With a list from The Wedding Present Company, you don't have to worry about the logistics or managing wedding presents on your wedding day.”

We'll deliver your wedding presents directly to your home after the wedding, making the process joyful and stress-free. This allows you and your guests to focus on celebrating your marriage.

4. Your Guests Will Gift Something You’ll Love

There are lots of reasons wedding guests want a wedding registry The main one is your loved ones will want to buy you something special to celebrate your marriage. So creating a gift list can simplify the process for both you and your guests. Our expert Wedding List Advisors are on hand to guide you every step of the way, ensuring that your wedding list caters to all guest budgets. 

“The variety of wedding presents at The Wedding Present Company allowed our friends and family to pick special wedding gifts that they also liked.”

Hope & Nick, WPC Couple

How Do You Make A Wedding Gift List?

You can make your wedding gift list online, but most couples prefer to begin with a private appointment in our London showroom. Enjoy free-flowing Nyetimber and barista-quality coffee as you browse wedding list presents in person, with dedicated and expert guidance from your Wedding List Advisor. You can then continue adding to your gift list from the comfort of your home, thanks to our extensive Online Showroom, which is home to thousands of wedding presents for you to choose from. 

Champagne flutes with complimentary Nyetimber English sparkling wine in the Wedding Present Company Showroom

If you can’t make it to our London showroom, don’t worry. You’ll still receive the same personal service and help with your wedding gift list from your Wedding List Advisor in a virtual appointment, by telephone, or by email. And you’ll have complete freedom to browse our extensive Online Showroom too. However you choose to create a wedding registry, we’ll be here to support you from start to finish. 

Once you have registered your wedding gift list with us, it will be live for your friends and family to see. However, if you would prefer to build your list privately and set it live when you’ve finished it, that’s no problem, just let your Wedding List Advisor know.

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A cabinet in the Wedding Present Company Showroom features luxury kitchenware presents

What To Put On A Wedding Gift Registry

The presents you put on your wedding gift list should reflect your personalities as a couple. From kitchen gadgets to luxurious tableware, when you create your wedding list with The Wedding Present Company, your choice of presents is truly unlimited. What’s more, you’ll enjoy a bespoke experience delivered with genuine warmth, care, and attention.

Every recommendation our Wedding List Advisors make is tailored to your tastes and needs. We’ll curate a selection of your favourite brands to get you started and introduce you to lesser-known designers we know you’ll love. And if you book your showroom appointment with us, you'll be able to see presents in person and start putting gifts on your wedding registry list right away.

Your wedding gift list is a perfect opportunity to ask for items you genuinely need, and those you’re just longing for. Whether it's fine-dining china, the most desired kitchenware, or funds for your honeymoon, the choice is yours. By creating a diverse selection of wedding gifts, you can ensure that your guests have options that align with their budgets.

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How Many Gifts Should You Put on a Wedding Gift List?

How much you put on a wedding gift list is entirely up to you. Yet, making a wedding registry with a diverse selection of choices ensures that your wedding guests can choose gifts that align with their preferences and budgets. Our dedicated Wedding List Advisors can recommend the ideal value and quantity of items based on the number of guests you are inviting to your wedding.

"There is no general rule for how many gifts you should add to your gift lists," says our Wedding List Advisor Gemma. "However, we always recommend adding gifts at lots of different price points to your registry, to ensure a variety of options for your guests. While you know your guests best, the average wedding guest spends approximately £60 per person on wedding lists, but some friends and family might group together and spend more."

What is Group Gifting?

With The Wedding Present Company, a group gifting option is available for any present on your wedding list at the touch of a button. This allows your wedding guests to make individual contributions to the overall cost of high-value presents. This means that groups or friends and family members can decide to club together to buy you that Kitchenaid mixer or Big Green Egg bbq.

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Big Green Egg bbq gifted to newlyweds as a group gifted

Credit: Big Green Egg

“Group gifting is a lovely way for you to add a higher price point to the wedding present without feeling like you are asking for too much.”

Laura, Senior Wedding List Advisor

How To Send A Wedding Gift List To Your Guests

We recommend that you send out your wedding gift list with the wedding invitations (traditionally 3 to 4 months before your wedding). This gives your guests ample time to explore the options on your wedding gift list and select the perfect present that resonates with their preferences.

If you’re planning to come to our London Showroom, we’d suggest visiting us four to six months before your wedding, but this solely depends on how long you would like to spend creating your wedding gift list. We are completely flexible, and we can help you build your wedding list as quickly or slowly as you need. You can add presents to your gift list right up until your wedding day.

Bride and groom make pasta while using their kitchenware wedding presents from The Wedding Present Company

How To Word A Gift List On Your Wedding Invite

You’ve created your wedding gift list, filled with presents you both will love and cherish for a lifetime. But how do you politely word that you have a gift list on your wedding invitations? 

Settling on the wording for your wedding gift list can be a delicate task. Naturally, the most important thing is to have your dearest guests join you in the celebration of your special day. But rest assured, most of your family and friends will want to give you something special to celebrate your marriage too. Whether it's gifting you fine-dining china, the most desired kitchenware, or contributing to your honeymoon funds

The key is to phrase your wedding gift list wording in a way that leaves your guests feeling comfortable and valued. We recommend keeping it short, sweet, polite, and personal:

"We’ve created a wedding gift list that will set us up for the next stage of our life together. Please don’t feel obliged, but if you’d like to help us on our journey, we’ve created a wedding registry with The Wedding Present Company”

“Your presence is the only present we need on our special day. However, if you would like to buy us a wedding gift, we have created a wedding registry with The Wedding Present Company.” 

If you’d like tailored advice on the wording of your invitations, our Wedding List Advisors are here to help you.

Delivery of wedding presents in The Wedding Present Company box

When Should You Close Your Wedding Gift List?

Deciding on the ideal timing to close your wedding gift list after your wedding depends on various factors. We’d recommend keeping the list open for a few weeks after your wedding. This allows plenty of time for guests who were unable to attend the occasion. Or those who are simply a little less organised than others, to make any last-minute purchases. 

We will close your wedding gift list four weeks after your wedding day. We will then get in touch with you to talk you through the next steps. If you would like to close your wedding gift list sooner or keep it open for longer, you can simply let us know.

How Do You Order Presents From Your Wedding Gift List?

Ordering wedding presents from your wedding gift list with The Wedding Present Company is seamless. It depends on whether you set your wedding gift list to be Fixed or Flexible when you first registered your wedding list with us:

Fixed List

With a Fixed List, items are ordered as guests make their selections, guaranteeing prompt delivery. Sit back and relax, knowing that everything has been taken care of for you. The only items we won’t order are those that are part of an incomplete set. This is to ensure you don’t end up with half-completed collections of things. If this does happen, your Wedding List Advisor will contact you directly to discuss your options. We also won't order Custom Products or gifts requiring direct delivery, like large furniture.

Flexible List

If you choose a Flexible wedding gift list, you can decide when to place orders for your presents. This gives you the freedom to modify your choices even after the wedding gift list is closed. So you can ensure that your final selection resonates with your current prioritites. We find that most couples like to wait until after their wedding to confirm their presents and place one order. However, with a Flexible list, the choice is yours.

How Much Does It Cost To Create a Wedding Gift List?

Creating a wedding registry at the Wedding Present Company has always been, and always will be free of charge. We also don’t charge our couples any handling fees for cash funds, and our showroom appointments and personalised and dedicated service are all complimentary too. 

The only possible charge you may incur is a small delivery fee if the value of wedding presents bought from your list is under £2,000. 

If you have a Honeymoon Fund or other Custom Funds on your gift list, your guests will pay a below-market rate transaction fee of just 1.9% on their contributions to it. Unlike many other wedding registry services, we don't profit from these funds. We only charge this cost to cover the transaction costs charged by our payment gateway provider.

Guests contributing to Charity Funds are not charged this fee. We pay the transaction costs on charitable donations as a gesture of goodwill for their generosity towards a good cause.

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Inspiring tableware wedding presents from The Wedding Present Company

What If I Have More Questions About Wedding Gift Lists?

Whether you need some help with creating your wedding gift list, ordering presents, or just want to have a good old chat, our team is always here for you. At The Wedding Present Company, we have been helping couples create their wedding gift lists for almost 30 years. In the midst of your wedding preparations, you can trust our expertise to help you make a bespoke list of wedding presents tailored to your future life as a married couple.

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