By Georgina Clatworthy

Although they are under no obligation to, your guests will undoubtedly want to bring you wedding gifts, the dilemma for you is – do you want the gifts they bring?  Whilst the joke about receiving twelve unwanted toasters may seem old, there is a real chance it could happen without some input from yourselves, which why a gift registry is such a wonderful idea.

However, the dilemma over wedding gifts continues as according to wedding etiquette merely mentioning a gift list is a big no-no.  What you do about your gift registry really depends upon your own personal preferences and the attitude of your guests.

Wedding etiquette states that a gift registry should not appear with or on your wedding invitations or be included with anything else that is sent to your guests.  Mentioning wedding gifts implies that you expect your guests to give you one and that of course is not the case.  However, should your guests approach you and ask about a gift registry then it is acceptable to give them a copy.

In modern times the idea of not mentioning the gift registry or wedding gifts at all is quite frankly outdated because most of your guests will pester you endlessly for some indication as to what you would like to receive.  This in turn leads to you spending more time than you should answering calls and fielding emails all on one subject – wedding gifts!  By enclosing a copy of the gift registry with your invitations you will not only save yourself time but a lot of stress as well.

You can set up a gift registry with many stores these days be they on the high street or online.  You will need to register with them in advance and visit the store to choose the items you would like on your registry.  The majority of these services are free as the store stands to make a lot of more from your gift registry!

When picking a registry provider there are a few things you will need to take into consideration:

• Location: will all of your guests have access to a branch, particularly if they want to pick up the present in person?
• Quality of service provided: is there a phone line dedicated to the registry service? An online registry is great for those guests who have internet access but not for those who don’t.
• Range of gifts: is there enough gifts there to provide plenty of choice for your guests? Is there enough item that you like? Is there a broad range of prices to suit all budgets?
• Delivery service: find out how orders will be processed and how they will be delivered. Will your wedding gifts be delivered separately or as one lot after the wedding? Do you have to pay for delivery?

By Georgina Clatworthy

It is customary to give the members of your wedding party a gift to thank them for all their help and support with your wedding.  The wedding gifts you give don’t need to be very expensive but it is nice to give something that will become a keepsake or memento of your wedding day and their part in it.

Some couples choose to give these gifts out during the rehearsal dinner before the wedding day, so they can give a more personal thank you to each person.  Other couples may choose to give the gifts during the wedding reception after the speeches so that the wedding guests can join in thanking them with you.

It is also customary for the members of the wedding party to exchange gifts with each other.  The bride and groom exchange gifts, the bride’s parents give a gift to the groom; the groom’s parents give a gift to the bride.  The groom gives a gift to the best man, the ushers, the bridesmaids, flower girl and page boy. Finally the bride and groom give gifts to their mothers.

Gifts for the best man and ushers are usually cufflinks which are given before the wedding so they can be worn on the day.  There is a variety of designs available with a wedding party theme, with a collection designed with the best man and ushers in mind.  You may want to choose more unique designs so that these cufflinks could be worn more often.

Other gift ideas for the male members of the wedding party include tie pins, money clips, hip flasks, wallets and novelty items.

For the Father of the Bride and the Groom’s Father you may want to give any of the gifts mentioned above.  Make them something a little more special such as engraved glasses, wristwatches or bottles of vintage wine.

For your maid of honor and bridesmaids the traditional gift is usually jewelry.  Items such as charm bracelets, lockets and pendants are all good gifts as they often make wonderful keepsakes.  Some brides will buy all or part of the bridesmaid’s outfits as a gift.   Photograph albums or frames are another nice idea for your female attendants.

For the Mother of the Bride and Mother of the Groom it is usual to give a bouquet of flowers to each.  Make sure you budget a good amount for them and make them nice big bouquets from a florist.  Other ideas include a beautiful photograph frame into which they can place a photograph from the wedding.

Other suggestions for your parents include giving them a gift for them both to share such as vouchers for a restaurant or tickets to the theatre.  Perhaps they have a shared interest in which you could purchase a suitable gift. 

If you have a flower girl and page boy then you will need to purchase something appropriate to their ages.  Toys are an obvious gift, but make them something special. Keepsakes such as flower girl jewelry are nice for the girls and perhaps a set of books for the page boy.

By Georgina Clatworthy

Many couples view a gift list as an integral part of the wedding planning.  However, sending your guests a list of preferred wedding gifts with their invitation is frowned upon within wedding etiquette.

But the inclusion of a gift list has been common practice for many years now.  I can remember my mother pouring over a list she received with a wedding invitation for her cousin back in the 1980’s.  The idea has evolved from a time when couples wouldn’t live together until after they were married and would require many household items in order for them to set up their new home together.  In modern times however many couples do live together before marriage and even go as far as buying their first home together. 

The list of preferred wedding gifts though continues to be drawn up by couples even though most will already have everything they need for their home.  In fact today’s gift lists tend to be more about luxury items, decorative objects and even vouchers for holidays, restaurants or leisure facilities.  There is also a growing trend to ask for money rather than a gift – a huge no-no within wedding etiquette!

And whilst this article may seem like it is damming the gift list for all eternity, a large number of your wedding guests will want one.  The tradition of drawing one up has evolved into a tradition of expecting one from the invited guests, with becoming lost and confused if you don’t tell them what you want!

Wedding etiquette it would seem is a little behind the times, particularly as the practice of wedding gift lists has been around for a few decades now.  But couples can achieve a healthy balance in terms of complying with etiquette and keeping the guests happy.

Etiquette says that gift lists should not be sent out with the wedding invitations as this implies to the recipient that you expect them to buy you a present and places an obligation on the guest to purchase something from the list.  The best way is to keep the invitation and the list separate.  If your guests make enquiries about wedding gifts then by all means send them the list.

Gift registries have become a popular service for wedding gifts in recent years, with many high street department stores and online stores all offering this service.  The work on the principle of you choosing your preferred gifts, these are then drawn up into a list and a copy of which can be sent to the wedding guests.  This list will contain all the information they need to make a purchase and as each gift is purchased it is removed from the list to prevent duplication.

For many couples this service can appear like a dream come true giving them the chance to roam the store and select anything they want!  Gift registries are a great way of managing a large list of wanted items.  The store will record who buys what and deal with all deliveries.  After the wedding they can provide you with a complete list of gift bought and by whom so you can easily write your thank you cards.  If you set up a registry however make sure you choose gifts that cross a wide range of budgets and that you include plenty of items – you may be surprised by the generosity of some of your guests!

By Georgina Clatworthy

Whilst you may be thinking about the wedding gifts you yourselves will be receiving, you shouldn’t forget that you will need to purchase a range of gifts to give to members of your wedding party & others who have been instrumental in helping you with your wedding.

Here is a list of those people who you should buy for & some who you might want to consider purchasing a small gift for.

Maid of Honor – As your chief bridesmaid they have probably been your main source of support throughout the wedding planning stages & during the wedding day itself.  They are probably your closest friend so choosing a gift for them shouldn’t be too difficult.  Many brides will choose jewelry such as a locket or bracelet in silver as a way of saying thank you.

Bridesmaids – They, like your maid of honor will have helped you throughout the wedding planning & will be your support during the wedding.  Some brides choose to gift their bridesmaids their wedding outfits or maybe just their accessories.  Others will give necklaces or earrings on the wedding morning.  Jewelry is often the favored choice but think carefully about the things they like if you want to give them a gift with a difference.

Best Man – He is probably your Groom’s best friend & like your chief bridesmaid will have been his source of support before & during the wedding.  It also often the case that the bestman’s duties will extend beyond the wedding itself: driving you to the airport, returning the suits to the hire shop & tying up any other loose ends. Cufflinks are possibly the most popular choice & often the groom will pick matching sets for all his groomsmen.

Ushers – Their role on the day may be a small one, but it is still important so you should reward your ushers equally.  As mentioned above cufflinks are a popular choice although gift vouchers maybe a good alternative.

Mother of the Bride & Mother of the Groom – It is traditional to give something to the two mom’s to thank them for their roles in the wedding planning (even if they have been a thorn in your side!).  Most brides will give large bouquets of flowers, but you could also consider a decorative gift; perhaps they collect a certain type of porcelain or design range.  Give their gifts some deep thought if you want to come up with something special.

Father of the Bride & Father of the Groom – Traditionally they wouldn’t receive a gift, but you might want to think about giving a gift to both sets of parents to share.  Perhaps a bottle of wine or champagne (vintage or at least an expensive label).  Another suggestion could be tickets to the theatre, a weekend break or a dinner for two.

Other People – You might want to consider a small gift for your wedding planner or coordinator if you had one.  Although you are paying for their services, they will still have worked hard on your behalf & will be on hand during the wedding day to ensure any crisis is swiftly dealt with.  This needn’t be any grand gift, a box of chocolates, a gift voucher or even one of the table centers or floral displays would be a nice gesture.

Also think about those who couldn’t attend particularly if they are close to you.  Perhaps illness or some other event has prevented them from joining you, so it would be a nice gesture to send them a wedding favor or a piece of the wedding cake.

By Georgina Clatworthy

Your wedding party will have provided you with unrivalled support, help & advice over the past months whilst you have carried out your wedding planning.  So it is only right that you give them a thank you gift that goes beyond the norm & which shows your friends just how much you appreciate everything they have done for you.

To help you out, here are ten great gift ideas that cannot fail to impress!

• 1. Messenger Bags – These are a great idea for both male & female members of your wedding party as they are not only useful, but affordable & customizable too. Look for handmade ones on websites such as Etsy or choose custom made wedding ones which can feature their names, initials or anything else you care to imagine.
• 2. Tote Bage - Along the same lines as a messenger bag, these are great for those who love to shop & from an environmental point of view, there re-usability makes them a great ‘green’ choice also. Again look for unique handmade bags on Etsy or shop for customizable versions which you can have printed. Photo bags are a really great idea!
• 3. Personalized T-shirts – In recent years personalized T-shirts have grown in popularity as the choices of T-shirt style has increased & the range of prints more varied. From customized prints to photos, embroidered names, logo’s & messages, anything is possible now, which makes them a great choice for men & women alike.
• 4. Simple Gifts - Sometimes it is the simplest gifts that will give the greatest pleasure. Classic choices such as photo frames or albums will always remain a top choice. What they give the recipient is an elegant memento of the day & one in which they can display a picture of themselves or the wedding group. Picture frames & albums alike can be found in a wide variety of styles & designs allowing you the option to choose something classical or funny, contemporary or traditional & in doing so you can choose a gift that is tailored to the recipient.
• 5. Silver Gifts - Silver or silver plated gifts are a traditional choice for wedding gifts, they give off an air of luxury & present themselves as a precious keepsake. You will find a wide variety of silver items to choose from, such as tankards, flasks, bud vases, picture frames, bowls, plates, cups & more. Most of these can be engraved with the recipients initials, monogram or another more personal message.
• 6. Jewelry - Another traditional wedding gift for the wedding party is jewelry & is one that will never go out of fashion. Usually couples will choose simple silver lockets or crosses for the bridesmaids & cufflinks for the men. You could also look at silver bangles or charm bracelets, tie clips, money clips & personalized pendants.
• 7. Baseball Caps – These are popular with younger couples who want to give something with a bit of humor & which is fun & practical. Look for caps which can be personalized & which are available in a range of male & female colors.
• 8. Ornaments - If some members of your wedding party are avid collectors then why not give them a new addition. This could include things such as figurines, novelty items, classic toys. Ornaments & decorative objects are a nice gift & one which the recipient can proudly display at home. Figurines, crystal ornaments, handmade glass & sculptures can all be found at homeware stores or gift shops. Paperweights also make a nice decorative & functional gift.
• 9. Personalized Figurines - Following on from the above, why not have personalized figurines made for each member of your wedding party. Whilst searching for your cake topper you may have come across artists who will make small model caricatures from a photograph supplied by the customer. What better way to raise a smile than with gifts of their own whimsical figurines of themselves!
• 10. One for the Girls - Why not give your bridesmaids their own personalized cosmetic bags complete with mirror & compact. You will find a great range to choose from including those embroidered with ‘bridesmaid’ or ‘maid of honor’ & others designed with a vintage appeal.

Whatever your choice of gift make sure it fully conveys your thanks & appreciation for all their help & support & how much you value their continued friendship.  Your wedding gifts will provide a keepsake of your special day, so regardless of whether you choose traditional or creative; it should always evoke happy memories of a special day to the recipient.

By Georgina Clatworthy 

You hope to only get married the once! So you should treat your new wife to a wedding gift that is a priceless as she is.

However, you don’t need to spend a fortune on a gift for your loved one.  The trick is to buy a gift that says how much you love her & which is unique as well as special.

If you are stuck for inspiration then here are four ideas that might give you some help:

Wedding Gift Idea 1: A Family Heirloom Many families will have a tradition of passing something down when a child gets married.  Ask your parents if they have something like an heirloom ring, necklace or bracelet which they would be willing to part with.  An alternative idea would be an old family recipe that has been with your family for generations.  The giving of a family heirloom is more than just giving your bride a special keepsake.  Many bride’s will recognize the extra significance of being accepted in to your family & that by giving this gift you are willing to share your whole life with her. 

Wedding Gift Idea 2: DIY Wedding Gifts If you are on a budget then this one is for you.  If you are good with your hands & particularly creative then why not make your wedding gift to her.  Perhaps a jewelry box or photograph frame.  The idea is that you show how hard you are willing to work to please her & make her happy.  Your bride is sure to appreciate all the effort & thought you have put into it.

Wedding Gift Idea 3: The Expensive Stuff Many men are of the impression that the more it cost, the more she will love it!  Woman love the really thoughtful gifts, but are also suckers for the expensive ones too!  Good choices here would be simple diamond stud earrings, an equally simple diamond pendant or a diamond tennis bracelet.  Silver jewelry is also a good choice, particularly if your budget can’t stretch to diamonds.  On that note, if diamonds are a step too far look for cubic zirconia’s as an inexpensive alternative.  Just remember to buy only what you can afford, she won’t appreciate being thousands of dollars in debt for a small pair of earrings.  No matter what they are.

Wedding Gift Idea 4: A Romantic Getaway This may seem silly, particularly as you about to head off on honeymoon straight after the wedding.  But a romantic holiday is good idea for a wedding gift.  Buy it in the form of a voucher which can be used whenever she feels like it.  It is also a good idea for you too, as you will get a romantic holiday too!!  Book it for somewhere she has always wanted to go to or somewhere she has been & longs to go back for another visit.

When you have chosen your gift, don’t forget that the way it is presented can double the pleasure it brings.  Choose an appropriate moment to give it to her, ideally when you are alone together.  Indulge in some luxury gift wrap as well.  Put in the effort & you may well be rewarded on the wedding night!!

By Georgina Clatworthy

You hope to only get married the once! So you should treat your new wife to a wedding gift that is a priceless as she is.

However, you don’t need to spend a fortune on a gift for your loved one.  The trick is to buy a gift that says how much you love her & which is unique as well as special.

If you are stuck for inspiration then here are four ideas that might give you some help:

Wedding Gift Idea 1: A Family Heirloom Many families will have a tradition of passing something down when a child gets married.  Ask your parents if they have something like an heirloom ring, necklace or bracelet which they would be willing to part with.  An alternative idea would be an old family recipe that has been with your family for generations.  The giving of a family heirloom is more than just giving your bride a special keepsake.  Many bride’s will recognize the extra significance of being accepted in to your family & that by giving this gift you are willing to share your whole life with her. 

Wedding Gift Idea 2: DIY Wedding Gifts If you are on a budget then this one is for you.  If you are good with your hands & particularly creative then why not make your wedding gift to her.  Perhaps a jewelry box or photograph frame.  The idea is that you show how hard you are willing to work to please her & make her happy.  Your bride is sure to appreciate all the effort & thought you have put into it.

Wedding Gift Idea 3: The Expensive Stuff Many men are of the impression that the more it cost, the more she will love it!  Woman love the really thoughtful gifts, but are also suckers for the expensive ones too!  Good choices here would be simple diamond stud earrings, an equally simple diamond pendant or a diamond tennis bracelet.  Silver jewelry is also a good choice, particularly if your budget can’t stretch to diamonds.  On that note, if diamonds are a step too far look for cubic zirconia’s as an inexpensive alternative.  Just remember to buy only what you can afford, she won’t appreciate being thousands of dollars in debt for a small pair of earrings.  No matter what they are.

Wedding Gift Idea 4: A Romantic Getaway This may seem silly, particularly as you about to head off on honeymoon straight after the wedding.  But a romantic holiday is good idea for a wedding gift.  Buy it in the form of a voucher which can be used whenever she feels like it.  It is also a good idea for you too, as you will get a romantic holiday too!!  Book it for somewhere she has always wanted to go to or somewhere she has been & longs to go back for another visit.

When you have chosen your gift, don’t forget that the way it is presented can double the pleasure it brings.  Choose an appropriate moment to give it to her, ideally when you are alone together.  Indulge in some luxury gift wrap as well.  Put in the effort & you may well be rewarded on the wedding night!!

By Jason Hennessey

It is common knowledge that most people have that one movie that they can never help to watch again and again. People buy their favorite DVD movies to watch and share with some of them stocking piles of these movies as a pastime. Collection of movies has moved from being an activity for movie buffs and it has in turn grown into one of the world’s multibillion collection industry.  This has seen many of the movie studios turning to making DVD movie sales, which are done through box office receipts which bring profits.

Due to this movie craze, you may want to consider a DVD movie as a gift to your friends and relatives on the day of your wedding. The good thing about a DVD gift is that it is small in size and this means that it is portable and can be moved around easily. The other thing is that DVD movies are very durable due to the advanced technology used to make them. Therefore unlike other gifts which will easily wear out when used regularly, DVDs will stay for a long time, thereby keeping the memories fresh. The last good thing about a DVD gift is its cost. It is very even cost effective to shoot, edit and produce a home movie nowadays in case you want to include scenes from your wedding. Actually, all you need is a videos camera and access to editing software on a computer. Even in the movie shops, DVD cost less than most of the preferred wedding gifts such as jewelry and customized presents.

If you choose to buy a DVD movie to give to your wedding guests as a present, there are a number of things you have to consider. First, most DVD movies come in two major formats i.e. full screen and widescreen. These two formats have been used because of the difference between the traditional televisions and the theatre screen considering that movies are viewed both at home and in the theatres. While the television screens are squared in shape, those of the movie theatres are usually triangular. This poses a big challenge during conversion and many studios have resulted to trimming part of the total picture so that it can fit to the home television screens.

Studios then decided to use letterboxing, which introduced some black bars on the top and bottom of the television screens. This allowed home viewers to view movies in their original shape and size ratio. Letterboxing affects the widescreen movies. Full screen movies on the other hand have been formatted to fit to the squired TV screens and they produce a better view. The format of a movie is usually stated on its outer cover.

The normal movies were trimmed so as to be in a certain time frame. DVD movies however are full length and they provide more pictures since there are not trims done. Many studios now provide expanded versions of then movies with no scenes deleted. Therefore as you follow this guide, be sure to buy your movies from reputed studios for better quality of DVDs.

How to Throw a Bridal Shower for a Friend Far Away

By Georgina Clatworthy

If you live far away from a close friend who is getting married & you want to throw a shower for them, what can you do?  An great idea is to send them a bridal shower in a box.

Here’s how it works:

As you can’t throw a shower in person you could send her all the necessary items in the mail.  Pack together a selection of decorations, invites, food & games.  You could even decorate the box to look like an invitation, then just seal it up & post!

Invitations

As you would with a normal bridal shower you should send an invitation, so decorate the postal box to look like an invitation & write ‘you are invited to a bridal shower’ with the bride’s name on the front.

Gifts

The whole point of a bridal shower is to give gifts, so buy some of the smaller items on her gift registry which can be easily posted & wrap them up individually.  Think about making a theme to your shower such as a spa shower, you could then include some beauty products, a monogrammed towel or bathrobe.

If you know of other friends who live near to you, rope them in as well to add to your shower gifts.

Decorations

Wrap your gifts with tissue paper & table confetti or wedding confetti.  You could put in some paper wedding bells, balloons or banners.

Refreshments

Add in some delightful iced cookies for your guest of honor to munch on.  They come in a variety of shapes & can be iced in any colors or themes you want.  You could even make your own for an extra special touch.  Wrap them up in cellophane & add a little tag with a personal message on it.  You could also add in a bottle of wine or champagne.  

Games

Make sure she doesn’t get bored at her shower party & add in some fun games.  Try shower bingo or a quiz.  You could also send her a DVD of ‘my best friends wedding’ or ‘runaway bride’ for her to relax & watch whilst she’s eating her cookies & drinking champagne!

Handy Tips for the Perfect Gift List

By Georgina Clatworthy

One of the more fun tasks on your wedding planning list will be sorting out your gift list & setting up your registry.  The biggest challenge will be finding where to place your registry & letting guests know about it.  Here are some do’s & don’ts for creating your gift list & keeping your guests happy.

DO make sure there is a wide choice of gifts available.  It is always better to have too many items than too few & you may be surprised by how generous your guests can be.

DO choose items across a wide spectrum of prices.  Some people may not be able to afford high price items while others may club together to buy you something extra special.

DON’T wait until the last minute to put your list together.  Make sure you have details ready when you send out your invitations about 8 weeks before the wedding day.

DON’T be tempted to ask for money instead of gifts.  This is considered rude & makes you look greedy.  Some of your guests may be offended by such a request, so set up a gift list as an alternative option

DO think about alternatives.  If you are lucky enough to have everything already, then consider gifts such as a wine list or even charitable dontations.

DO be discreet.  If you want to mention your gift list in your invitations make only a minor reference to it.  Generally good etiquette states that no mention of gifts should be made in your invitations as this implies the guests have to buy you something.  It is also bad manners to mention the gift list to those guests invited to the evening reception only.

DO set up multiple lists if you want, particularly if you like items from two places or more.  Although, more than two lists could become something of a headache for you & your guests!

DO check out what you get with your gift registry service.  Some companies will offer free delivery on everything & some will give you further incentives on items left on your list after the wedding.

DO pick a registry service that is easy for your guests to use & access.  An internet only registry may not be accessible to all your guests.  Department stores will offer wedding registry services & guest can usally contact them by phone, in store or online.

DO pick your gift list together & make sure there is something on there for both of you.  If he wants something you really don’t or vice versa, now is the time to practise a little thing called compromise, you may encounter it a lot during married life!