Wtf is the point of wedding registries?

[Syringer]

I just got my first "American" wedding invitation today, after having been to maybe 8 or so Asian weddings, which has no such tradition (generally guests just give money, which is 100x more practical)..but I've signed onto the registry site and it has the most absolute worthless things I can think of that I know for a fact that the people getting married here will never touch ever..e.g.:

-Garlic Press-Slicer...it's called a knife!
-Italian Tomato Press...WHAT
-Biscuit Cutters, Set of 5...see above two
-Electric wine opener?? http://www.williams-sonoma.com....cfm?needs=1&fromrgl=1

When did the world go insane..or rather, succumb to such great marketing?

When I get married I'm just rolling a paypal account for donations.

 

[JS80]

Originally posted by: Syringer
I just got my first "American" wedding invitation today, after having been to maybe 8 or so Asian weddings, which has no such tradition (generally guests just give money, which is 100x more practical)..but I've signed onto the registry site and it has the most absolute worthless things I can think of that I know for a fact that the people getting married here will never touch ever..e.g.:

-Garlic Press-Slicer...it's called a knife!
-Italian Tomato Press...WHAT
-Biscuit Cutters, Set of 5...see above two
-Electric wine opener?? http://www.williams-sonoma.com....cfm?needs=1&fromrgl=1

When did the world go insane..or rather, succumb to such great marketing?

to donate money to retailers

 

[rh71]

money money money... don't want vases or toasters... no registry.

 

[lokiju]

It's to get them what they want regardless of what your opinion is on it and to in the process make sure that people don't get duplicates of those items.

 

[Brainonska511]

I wouldn't care if someone has a registry, but at least if you're going to make one, don't fill it with stupid, useless shit you'll use once - like a fucking electric wine bottle opener.

It also helps so people have an idea of what to get and don't end up getting the same thing as someone else.

 

[Jumpem]

So you buy us the exact item that we picked out, not something else that you may feel like. Also makes it easier for the guests, since they don't have to stress trying to figure out what to get.

Of course it doesn't help when you have morons who ignore the registry and just bring whatever. :|

Also, many many people find giving money tacky or rude.

 

[Newbian]

So the real question is what kind of spiders do you want as gifts?

Most people view asking for money as rude over the idea of getting gifts but most would prefer the money.

 

[Babbles]

I am getting married and we registered at Macy's and Sears. I think it is pretty damn practical. Sure, some or many people can take advantage of things and put a bunch of stupid shit on it. However we like to view it more along the lines of, "We need Item X, so if you can please buy us Item X." Also I think the typical - or at least typical American - person would rather buy a physical gift than fork over money.

I really don't think it is that difficult to understand.

 

[SmoochyTX]

Originally posted by: lokiju
It's to get them what they want regardless of what your opinion is on it and to in the process make sure that people don't get duplicates of those items.

Exactly! Who needs 10 toaster ovens?

ETA - I voted I won't have one. But that's only because I've been married before and think it's in poor taste to register again. Also, I already have all that crap.

 

[cKGunslinger]

I think the point is that many people are not comfortable giving money, and would rather buy gifts - so, instead of having the burden of the newlyweds getting duplicate or useless items that's they have to return or excahnge or pu thte closet and never use, they can provide a "wish list" of things from which people can choose to buy, or still go out and get them something else.

 

[Babbles]

Oh, also many retailers give you gift certificate points if you register for them. So at Macy's not only if somebody buys an item on the registry for us, we also get a little bit of cash kicked back to us. Really that is even more practical: We get an item we need and we also get a little something-something kicked back to us in a rewards program.

 

[TallBill]

We had one and got a shitload of kitchen/home stuff along with an asston of cash.

 

[Syringer]

Most of the above points are valid..but biscuit cutters, cookie presses, mechanical pastry bag..who needs that?

 

[SmoochyTX]

Originally posted by: Syringer
Most of the above points are valid..but biscuit cutters, cookie presses, mechanical pastry bag..who needs that?

Are you or she a baker?

ETA - Rather, is he or she a baker?

 

[ChaoZ]

Has it always been a requirement to give gifts at American weddings? I know in Chinese weddings you don't give anything unless you're family.

 

[Proprioceptive]

My wife had a great idea and in our invitations we made mention of a "wishing well" where any donations to the bride and groom would be welcome instead of gifts. This went over extremely well and everyone loved the idea.

 

[Exterous]

Well, if its what they want - maybe they will use them a lot (My wife uses our garlic press all the time that we got from out wedding)

Also, I will admit that at least in our circle of friends there is a bit of a "Hey, I'd never spend the money to buy that for myself but it would be cool to have" attitude

Originally posted by: ChaoZ
Has it always been a requirement to give gifts at American weddings? I know in Chinese weddings you don't give anything unless you're family.

I dont know about 'always' but its seen as a custom, esp if you go to the reception

 

[mugs]

How is money 100x more practical? Obviously the things on the registry are things they want, so if you gave them money they'd probably just buy those things.

 

[Syringer]

Originally posted by: mugs
How is money 100x more practical? Obviously the things on the registry are things they want, so if you gave them money they'd probably just buy those things.

I know that the wedding/groom are renting out storage space to store all these gifts..so they won't even be using them. It's mainly a "traditional" thing that they're doing all this.

 

[AreaCode707]

In American culture it is perfectly fine to give money but to request it is the HEIGHT of tackiness and social retardation. Not sure why this is (I nearly always give cash) but I would guess it's because wedding gifts are supposed to be thoughtful and help the couple recall with affection the generosity of the giver. Hard to do with cash.
No registry results in gifts that are duplicated and/or completely not to the bride and groom's liking; exactly what every gift giver wants to avoid.
A registry is a *suggested* list of gifts that guests can peruse if they are so inclined and want to be absolutely certain of getting something that is wanted. Useful if you want to use it, not required if not.

Guests getting pissed about wedding stuff always puzzles me. The couple considers you important enough to include at their most meaningful party, probably at pretty hefty expense to themselves. Why would you have such strong opinions about how they do things?

Oh, and I use a garlic press weekly and would use an electric wine opener nearly daily if I had one.

Edit again: If you wanted to be picky about etiquette, the invitation is NEVER supposed to contain a registry card or any mention about gifts, as that would be presuming on your guests. Info like that should be on a website or on request.

 

[AreaCode707]

Originally posted by: ChaoZ
Has it always been a requirement to give gifts at American weddings? I know in Chinese weddings you don't give anything unless you're family.

It's standard custom now, yeah. Hypothetically it's good manners to give a gift that is at least approximately the worth of your plate at dinner (often $100ish per plate), but that's supposed to be an unspoken rule so that guests who cannot easily afford it don't feel awkward.

 

[Zee]

im gonna have a slapchop on my registry

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: Syringer
Most of the above points are valid..but biscuit cutters, cookie presses, mechanical pastry bag..who needs that?

Pastry (biscuit...) cutters are very useful, and cookie cutters could be useful if you like to bake.

I can understand the pastry bag, but the other stuff is OK.

 

[I Saw OJ]

I agree and some things people put on their list that are out outrageously expensive. WTF does a newly wed couple in their early 20s need with a knife/spoon/fork set that costs over 75 bucks for?

EDIT: big outrageous weddings are stupid

 

[MotionMan]

Originally posted by: Jumpem
So you buy us the exact item that we picked out, not something else that you may feel like. Also makes it easier for the guests, since they don't have to stress trying to figure out what to get.

Of course it doesn't help when you have morons who ignore the registry and just bring whatever. :|

Also, many many people find giving money tacky or rude.

This.

Our registry only had stuff we would actually use regularly (except the fine china, etc.)

MotionMan