No matter how modern we’ve become, some couples find the subject of the gift list a little embarrassing. Slipping the list in with the wedding invitation seems a little presumptuous and, yes, even slightly grasping. But some of the friends and family you’ve invited will wish you had put a list in, giving them some idea of what to buy. In an age when it’s often the case that both bride and groom already have a house stuffed full of virtually everything they’ll need, what to buy the happy couple can be a thorny question.
There are two basic styles of wedding list. The first is put together by you, listing the items you’d like, which your guest can then buy from the retailer of their choice. Either you, or your mother, will make a note of who wants to buy what and remove these items from the list, so that you don’t get any duplicated gifts. You should keep a detailed list of who has sent what so that your thank-you cards refer to the gift accurately.
The second involves putting your list with just one (or maybe two) stores, and selecting the items you fancy from their stock. You might be able to browse their complete catalogue online, with a glass of champagne in one hand and a chocolate truffle in the other. In theory, all your gifts will then be delivered at a designated time, beautifully wrapped. The company handling your gift list will keep it up to date, removing those items already selected. They will also give you a list of who donated what, so you’ll know who to thank. You can have this list with a specialist shop, perhaps a glass or china shop, or a general store that stocks a wide range. It’s important, though, to include choices right across the price range. Not everyone can afford expensive gifts and you don’t want to make any of your guests feel uncomfortable or force them to spend more than they can afford.
Don’t forget, amid all the excitement, that you’ll need a safe and secure place at your reception to collect and display the gifts that are brought along on the day, and someone (possibly the chief bridesmaid) must be allotted the task of taking them safely home for you. It’s also worth checking whether or not the venue has insurance that will cover the gifts should the worst happen. If not, it’s something you might consider taking out yourself, perhaps as part of a general wedding insurance policy.
