Wedding Gift List Q&A WJ answers your most common wedding gift list worries…
Q. When we registered our gift list the store concerned gave us some very nice cards to put inside our invitations informing guests where our gift list is being held. Should we use them?
A. Placing cards inside wedding invitations to direct people towards your bridal registry is still viewed by some people as being in bad taste – the idea being that it’s rude to assume your guests will be buying you something. In reality of course your guests will buy you a gift and will probably be delighted that you’ve taken the guess work out of the gift buying by registering a wedding gift list, but if you want to stay on the right side of etiquette you’ll need to spread the word another way.
Most of your guests will ask where you are registered, unless they already have a more personal gift idea in mind. Be sure to tell your close family members, particularly your parents, where you are registered and ask them to pass on the message through word of mouth.
Q. My fiancé and I have a daughter. We are buying a house shortly after the wedding and will need nursery furniture. Is it okay to register for items for our daughter's room as well?
A. You won’t be breaking any rules of etiquette by registering for some gifts for your daughter's room, as  the whole idea behind registering is that friends and family are helping you and your new spouse to build your first home together. However you may find that these gifts aren’t too popular, as guests may want to buy something they feel is for you directly. Make sure to include plenty of other items on your list as well. This way, if someone feels uncomfortable purchasing something for your daughter's room, they can simply select a more traditional gift.
Q. Following the recent collapse of online wedding gift list specialist Wrapit, I am very nervous about placing an online wedding gift, do you think it’s wise to do so?
A. When the UK’s leading online gift registry went under a few months ago and thousands of couples were left without presents the industry was shocked and appalled. Don’t however let this put you off placing your gift list with a company that has an online offering. Choose a reputable company with a good track history in wedding git lists, but most importantly secure your gifts by taking out wedding insurance which will protect you if the company goes bankrupt. Should a Wrapit situation reoccur, the wedding insurance company would reimburse you for the total value of the goods lost.
Q. I have been invited to the wedding of a work colleague and don’t want to spend too much money on a gift. Do I have to buy a whole place setting, or can I just buy a dinner plate?
 A. This depends on the store you're purchasing from. If you're buying fine china, you can often purchase just one item. You may find that the couple has registered for a very expensive pattern, and thus anything more than a single item will blow your budget. It’s perfectly appropriate - other guests will likely fill in by purchasing the other items. Do make inquiries before hand though as this will save a lot of embarrassment in the long run.
Q. This is my second marriage and my fiancé and I really don’t need any items for our home. We would much rather our guests made a charitable donation on our behalf. Is there a way to indicate that if guests do wish to give gifts, a donation to the charity would be most appreciated?
A. Etiquette-wise, really the only way you can encourage donations to the charity is through word of mouth. Even though it is assumed that guests will give wedding gifts, you can't ask for them -- in any form -- outright, and so putting a specific request on invitations would be inappropriate and even presumptuous. The best thing for you to do is to communicate your wishes through close friends and family, and have them spread the word. The fact that it's your second marriage may work to your advantage, as more people may be inclined to give money rather than material gifts. In this situation you can then give the money to the charity in their names.
Q. I have heard a lot of talk about honeymoon gift lists. Can you explain what they are and how they work?
A. The concept of the wedding gift list is evolving with the changing needs of couples. Couples today are seeking out careers first and marriage second. The average age couples marry is between 28-38 years, by which time many couples are established in their homes so the traditional wedding gifts such as china or a place setting are not always needed.
 The Honeymoon Gift Registry works in a similar way to a traditional gift list - it is designed for friends and family to purchase a ‘portion’ of your honeymoon as their wedding or even engagement gift. Instead of the fancy blender, receive a gift that you really want – a dream honeymoon! As well as contributing to the cost of the trip, many honeymoon lists allow guests to purchase experiences and treats such as a romantic dinner on the beach, a sunset sail for two, a couple’s massage on your private veranda or a Champagne breakfast? The choice is yours.
Honeymoon with the stars in Vegas with a little help from your wedding guests
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I posted 4 photos on Facebook in the album "Bridal inspiration from Cannes...." 
