A wedding is a joyous occasion, and your guests will want to help you along the path to your new life with gifts. In the past, wedding gifts were typically things a young couple could use in their new home. Toasters, dishes and flatware were all popular presents. Many modern couples have all of these items. A wedding registry is the perfect way to let your guests know what you need.

Registering a wedding is fun, simple and can be done online or in a store. It is a courtesy to your guests, who will be grateful for your advance planning. It is best to pick only one retailer to register with, although many couples are registering at several different specialty stores in an effort to give their guests more choices.

If you plan to register online, the process is as simple as creating an account using certain details such as your name and wedding date, then creating an online “wish list” that guests can view via the website or in-store print-out. Items that have been purchased will disappear from the list, preventing duplicate gifts.

Registering in a store can be a lot of fun. After giving your information, you will be given a scanner gun. This can be used to walk around the store and shoot the barcodes of desired registry items. The store will maintain a list guests can print out, and many will offer your registry online for those who prefer to order off a website.

Registering your wedding is fun, easy and convenient for your guests. Be sure to have family and friends ready to announce where you are registered, as including a registry card with a wedding invitation is considered bad form. Registering is a great way to ensure you get just what you need.