Should You Sign up with a Honeymoon Registry?

For years, it has been a tradition for the engaged couple to register at department or specialty stores and now on the Internet. The couple lists their china and silverware patterns and other household items they need.

There is a new trend. It is the honeymoon registry. Many couples become engaged after they have started their careers and they have their own apartments or homes. When they decided to get married, they have most of the household items they need. When they are planning their wedding, they have to set a budget which includes their honeymoon destination, if they have selected one, or can register without specifying a destination. Wedding guests can contribute to their honeymoon fund.

Couples create a page on the honeymoon registry and list the items they wish as gifts. If your honeymoon will be at an island resort, you can list the total cost of the airfare and then request a specified number of gifts in a certain amount to equal the cost. You can also list excursions, meals, ground transportation, various activities, and spending money.

Example:

If the airfare to St. Thomas (which may include accommodations) is $600.00, divide the total by 3 and you list your gift as $200 and you list the number of gifts as 3.

Some honeymoon registries also offer wedding web sites. You can plan your wedding and keep notes on activities and information related to the wedding. You can also add pictures. Your family and friends can view your wedding website.

Most of the honeymoon registry web sites offer you announcements that can be downloaded and printed. You can send these to your guests or include them in your invitations. Some registries will also send e-mails to a list you give them.

When a guest purchases a gift from your list, the registry will deduct the number of gifts needed to complete the purchase. For example, with the airfare, if two people have purchased a gift, the number left will be one. The registry will notify you when a guest has purchased a gift. They also offer custom announcement cards your guests can give you.

Guests can purchase gifts with a credit card. A service and handling fee is usually charged to cover the merchant fee for processing the credit card. Some registries offer payment via PayPal directly into your PayPal account.

You can elect to receive your funds by check, direct deposit to your bank account or via your PayPal account. Each registry will have different methods of collecting and disbursing funds. Most funds are paid up to 72 hours prior to your scheduled departure date.

The honeymoon registry you created is still available after your trip on most sites. Make sure you check the terms of the registry you sign up with. You can also add pictures from your honeymoon and a short description of the honeymoon on your registry page. The registry may also continue to accept gifts on your behalf after the honeymoon. Again, check the terms of the registry. You should also check the registry to make sure that the amount you receive is the same amount shown on the registry minus service and handling fees. Sometimes a gift may be purchased after the check has been cut or the funds transferred to you.

You can also use your honeymoon registry to help pay for the costs of a destination wedding.

There are some honeymoon registries that will allow you to register for other types of trips such as a second honeymoon or the vacation of a life time.

Instead of registering for a blender or microwave, you should consider registering for your honeymoon expenses.