If you are uncertain about whether or not to register, you should certainly consider that registering is your opportunity to get exactly what you want for your wedding. Your guests will be grateful to have an easy way to pick out gifts for you and registering ensures that you don't get overloaded with gifts you don't want or multiples of any items.

Prior to visiting the stores to register, gather a variety of magazines and catalogs and tear out pictures and information on items that you would like to include in your registry. After narrowing down your choices and determining which items and styles are most important to you, take a folder containing all of your choices with you to the stores when you register. Making some of these important decisions before you begin the registering process will save you time and confusion.

In general, it is best to register anywhere from six to nine months before the wedding. Registering several months before your wedding ensures that guests who attend pre-wedding showers or engagement parties will know what to buy for you. However, registering more than nine months before your wedding is probably not a good idea, as items on your list may be discontinued or out of stock by the time most people are shopping for your gifts.

It is important that both you and your partner take part in registering and deciding what items you want for your future together. Before registering, take inventory of what you already have and come to an agreement upon which items will best fit into your lifestyle together.

When registering, keep in mind how many people will be attending your wedding and their general financial status. Don't hesitate to include some big ticket items on your registry, as some guests may choose to combine their money and buy one large gift together. However, it is necessary to provide guests with a range of price options, including many items $50 and under, to ensure that every guest can choose a gift they can afford.

Be sure to find out if the stores where you register offer the option for guests to buy gifts online, by phone, or by fax. Also find out if the store will ship gifts directly to you, saving your guests the hassle of shipping themselves.

Periodically revisit your registry and add new items as products are purchased. Make sure that your registry still contains items in a variety of price ranges to accommodate all of your guests. It is also a good idea to check back at the stores to see if they have added any new items that you might like on your registry.

Registering for traditional items such as china, crystal, and flatware is a good idea if you think you will want and use it throughout the years of your marriage. Expensive items such as these are popular wedding gifts and it is unlikely that you will spend the money to buy them yourself in future years. However, if you know that you will never use certain traditional items, then take advantage of the many other options that you can include on your registry, such as luggage and electronics. Remember, registering is your chance to ask for what you and your partner truly want and need for your future together.

It is a good idea to call stores where you plan to register in advance to find out if you need an appointment. Many stores provide registry consultants that can help you in navigating the wide range of choices that are available and that can answer any questions you may have. It is also important to allow plenty of time to register so that you are able to look around and carefully make your decisions.

Before registering at a particular store, be sure to read the fine print on their return/exchange policy. It is important to know if a store will allow you to return a gift for cash or only exchange in case of duplicate gifts or simply changing your mind. It is also good to know how long you have to return gifts after the wedding so you have plenty of time after returning from your honeymoon to decide what you want to keep and what you want to take back.

It is considered in poor taste to include registry cards in your wedding invitations. However, it is acceptable for a shower hostess to include information about where you are registered in shower invitations. Also, let close friends and family know where you are registered and ask them to spread the word to other guests.

Let people know that their gifts have arrived and how much you appreciate their generosity by sending a hand-written thank-you note for every gift received. For gifts received before the wedding, a thank-you note should be sent within two weeks of their arrival. For gifts you receive on your wedding day, you have up to three months after you return from your honeymoon to send a thank-you.