The Dos and Don'ts of Putting Your Registry on a Wedding Invitation

Let's be honest, getting gifts is an exciting part of getting married. However, a wedding is first and foremost about getting together with friends and family to celebrate a couple's love and commitment. Knowing this, nearlyweds often wonder if they should put their registry on a wedding invitation. It could appear helpful to provide the link upfront, but it also can come off as a bit presumptuous.

To help work through this question, we brought in two experts to share their wisdom about what to put on wedding invitations. Both Amy Lynn Parmar, lead wedding planner at Poppy and Lynn in NYC, and etiquette expert, author and founder of Beaumont Etiquette, Myka Meier detailed the ins and outs of why most couples leave registry information off of their wedding invitations and how to politely ask for gifts on an invitation if you are truly set on it.

In this article:

• Do You Include a Registry on Wedding Invitations?
• Gift Registry on Wedding Invitation Etiquette
• How to Politely Add Registry Information to a Wedding Invitation

Do You Include a Registry on Wedding Invitations?

Most couples do not put a registry on wedding invitations, as it is not proper etiquette. Instead, include it on the wedding website. If a guest intends to bring a gift, they will seek out the registry or gift list there.

As you dig further into what goes on invitations versus on your website, you will be empowered to make the right choices for where certain details go. To help get an understanding of invitation layouts and potential spots a gift list or registry could go, head to The Knot Invitations to find affordable invitation suites in different themes and styles.

Gift Registry on Wedding Invitation Etiquette

Couples wondering how to ask for presents on invitations is one of many common wedding invitation etiquette questions experts come across. While to-be-weds sometimes include a gift list on their invite, pros across the board discourage couples from including their wedding registry on the invitations. But don't worry, there are still plenty of other ways to share your wedding registry with guests.

Meier shares that "including wedding registry information directly on your wedding invitation is generally not recommended, as it can give the impression that a gift is required to attend. It may also come across as a bit presumptuous, taking the focus from celebrating your special day to receiving presents. Invitations should be about the celebration itself and give important event details, rather than emphasizing gifts."

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Similarly, Parmar recommends that couples "utilize their wedding website for sharing their registry. You can set up a separate page to have registry information with links, and it feels a little more refined than having it on the invitation itself." If you're worried about people being unable to find the gift list, Parmar encourages couples that "people will seek it out either way, so don't worry about anyone missing it."

How to Politely Add Registry Information to a Wedding Invitation

We understand it's sometimes tricky to figure out just what to include on your details cards. While it's not common, many couples include their registry on a secondary card in their invitation suite, such as the details card. Keep in mind that there are polite ways to go about this.

Meier suggests that couples who plan to include their registry on physical invitations place it on an enclosure card. This is "a tasteful way to guide guests to all the information they need without being too direct about gifts," she says. This enclosure card can have a link to your wedding website and The Knot Registry Store (where you can have multiple registries all in one place!) or simply write out the companies the couple is registered with. Couples can provide simple directions to easily find the registry as guests navigate the website. You can also add a QR code on wedding invitations, which may be the quickest way to get guests to the right place.

Meier also shares that an easy way for couples to share a registry is to use "a virtual invitation. The wedding website can be included as a clickable link, making it easy for guests to access all the important information in one place."

If you are adamant about putting your gift registry on invitations, Parmar encourages couples to "let your guests know that you value their attendance while also providing information." Along the same lines, Meier asks couples to use "soft, thoughtful wording to keep it as gracious as possible." Following that advice throughout the process of making your invites will help you avoid many popular wedding invitation mistakes.

Here are some options from Parmar and Meier to consider when figuring out how to word your gift registry on a wedding invite:

• Your presence is gift enough, but should you feel inclined, we are registered at [insert details].
• Your attendance at our wedding is truly the best thing we could ask for! If you still want to bless us with a gift, we are registered at [insert details].
• Your presence is the greatest gift of all. However, if you wish to visit our registry, please visit our website for more information.
• We are so grateful to celebrate our special day with you. If you'd like to view our registry, you can find it on our website.

Finally, remember that you don't necessarily have to guide guests towards tangible products. You can consider asking for money as a wedding gift so guests can help you achieve a goal of paying off debt, buying a house, or saving up for something else you've been eyeing.