When bridal shower registries were first introduced in 1924 by Marshal
Fields many people
thought them vulgar and inappropriate. However, the acceptance and
praise for the bridal and gift registry has grown into the widely
used and convenient timesavers that they are today. Most of today’s
best stores offer registries to their customers. Bed, Bath and Beyond
is a popular bridal registry store while the Macy’s bridal
registry, the Dillards Bridal registry and the Wal-Mart bridal registry
are all among the more common places for new couples to register
for their weddings.
One way in which the bridal registry has changed through the
years, is that it no longer is the exclusive domain of the bride.
Today the bride and groom get in on the act and the registry is
more often referred to as the couple’s registry. Regardless
of who puts the registry together it is clear that what couples
want for the start of their new lives together has changed drastically.
In the past the bride would fill the bridal and gift registry
with household items that would serve her in her role as homemaker
and hostess. However, with more and more people marrying later
in life, living together before marriage and or tying the knot
multiple times, many people no longer need the basics when they
start off. In fact, most people have already acquired all of the
basic necessities needed to run a house so the modern bridal registry
has taken on a new dimension.
Couples have found innovative ways of getting themselves registered.
For example a couple who has bought their first home and needs
to renovate can register at a home hardware store like Home Depot
so that guests can buy them the tools and materials they will
need in their renovations. Other couples choose to register for
their honeymoon with guests contributing to the cost of a fancy
vacation. Some older couples who already have everything they
need actually register to have the guests donate to their favorite
charity.
Modern bridal registries no longer have to follow a set rule.
As long as you are creating a way for guests to get you what you
want, then it should generally be acceptable.
