Registering without him

[caligal85]

So I don't think we're quite there yet, but has anyone done the register thing without their SO? He and I are 3000 miles away and will continue to be until close to the wedding. I'm thinking about taking one of my MOHs and my other really good friend who's married, so I have two different opinions. Also, when should we register? When is too early and when is too late?

[neebelung]

Hmmm, I think I'd take a friend of MoH with me, but not ask their opinions. What you should do before you head out is maybe pick out some of the basic items (dishes, flatwear, glasses, etc...) that you like and email links to them to your FH so he can voice his opinion. Get an idea of styles and colors he likes so you can have the big stuff hammered out before you even set foot in the store.

Ask him to review the store's website before you go also, and ask HIM what items HE would like to see on the registry (you'd be surprised -- they DO have opinions on these things). He might want something fun like a magarita machine, a sandwich press or some nice beer pilsners that you might not have thought of.

Then go with your friend/MoH and do the registry. Once you're done, senh FH the link so he can go over it, maybe come up with things you missed, etc... and make any edits (a lot of places will let you add/edit online) before publishing it/giving it out to friends and family.

Good luck!

[MrsGrady08]

I agree. Get his opinions and ideas before you go. I mean these are things he is going to be using too. He might have things you havn't thought of. And yes you will be surprised by thier opinions. DH took the scanner away from me so many times lol:grinhappy:.

And I would take someone with me too. I wouldn't have been able to do it by myself. I was still living at home and DH had only lived on his own for a few years. So we needed EVERYTHING. I can see how it could get a little overwhelming looking at everything and tryng to figure out what you need, don't need and want.
Then when you do get it set up. As said above, have him look at it online and he can add/remove or suggest other things.

As for when to register. We did ours 4 months before the wedding. I wouldn't do it more than 6 or 7 months before. Because somethings could be discontinued or you could just change your mind. And At least 3 months before that way if you are having any showers then you give people enough notice and plenty of time to purchase gifts.

[caligal85]

My two girlfriends are definitely up for the challenge but I'm hoping that when he comes to visit we'll be able to do it then. The tricky part with that is that I'm not sure when he's going to make it out here or me there. Oh how I love the complications of a long distance engagement. *sigh*

[RosieAngel]

You could register online and share links with each other! That's how FH and I decided on everything. :grinhappy:

[tawni8806]

You could register online and share links with each other! That's how FH and I decided on everything. :grinhappy:
Thats a really good idea. We started out registering online, and then whatever we didnt quite like perfectly, or couldnt make up our minds on we registerd IN store for them, and it all shows up on the list if you are planning on using Target.

We did our registry in Early June for our wedding in August, but I would suggest doing it earlier so you can make updates. Don't make it too early though, because alot of the items we put on were seasonal, and already were being sold out. I'd suggest doing it 3-4 months prior to the wedding.

[caligal85]

I love the idea of emailing back and forth and that's what I had been thinking about. Now I just have to get him on board with that. That's actually how we chose my engagement ring, now that I think about it.

As for when we should, thanks for the advice. Everything I read online said do it as early as possible, just be mindful of seasonal items because once we send out our save the dates people may want to send gifts and there's bridal showers, etc.

I'm beginning to feel like once I get a handle on one thing, another thing balloons up to more critical proportions.