The Ultimate Guide to Honeymoon Registries: The Modern Solution T…

With more and more couples living together before marriage, couples often find that when it comes time to create their wedding registry, they don’t need to ask for traditional items like a coffee maker or a cookware set because they already own those items.

Because of this, many brides and grooms are instead opting to request funds from friends and family that they can use at their own discretion—like to create an unforgettable honeymoon or to help with a down payment for a house. This shift is bringing new meaning to “traditional” wedding registries as honeymoon and cash registries become the new normal.

But with so many options on where and how to create your ideal registry, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. So, let’s talk about the ins and outs of honeymoon registries—and your very best options for this modern take on the wedding registry.

Honeymoon Registries: Tasteful or Tacky?

Everyone has different ideas when it comes to the subject of modern wedding registries, and they are even more varied—and often heated—when discussing honeymoon and cash registries. But registering for a honeymoon is no different than a traditional registry—a popular, well-accepted tradition since 1924.  World renown etiquette expert, Anna Post, confidently asserts that “registries are incredibly organized and helpful, and it is not ‘greedy’ to register.  Most wedding guests find registries a very efficient way to select a gift that the couple would like, would need, and that wouldn’t be duplicated by other guests”. She also extends the gentle reminder, “you’re not limited just to registering for ‘stuff’”.

The bottom line is this: if a romantic getaway to Bali is a gift the two of you would enjoy, then your loved ones and friends will likely be thrilled to help make that possible for you. So, go forth and put your wedding wishes out into the universe and see what happens!

Organizing Your Honeymoon Registry

What if I like the idea of registering for a honeymoon, but also have practical needs as well?

No problem! A few of the registries I highlight below offer this dual service. In fact, I highly recommend registering for a handful of household items in addition to your honeymoon registry (you can have your Vitamix AND the romantic trip!).  Inevitably, there will be guests who insist on gifting a tangible item—either practical or sentimental—for your home. With that in mind, make sure to have items on your registry that you ACTUALLY want and will use.

Where can I explain why we chose a honeymoon registry to those not familiar with them?

Most honeymoon registries include a place for you and your fiancé to share a bit about your story, why you chose a honeymoon registry, and what this trip means to you both. Be honest and authentic in your storytelling. Make your guests feel like contributing to your honeymoon is indeed a special gift. Be specific regarding your upcoming plans and describe each experience just as you hope it will be.

How do I make my honeymoon registry as user-friendly as possible?

Choose a honeymoon registry with a clean design and clear instructions. You want to make sure that all of your guests, regardless of their age and level of tech-savviness, are able to purchase you a gift from your registry with ease. Also, it is important to include a variety of price points for your guests. I also suggest breaking up your honeymoon listings into several parts, so that multiple guests can contribute to one big-ticket item (i.e. candlelight dinner on a private beach).    This also makes group gifting a cinch (your co-workers will thank you!).

Should I register my entire honeymoon on my registry or just the excursions?

I suggest booking hotel and airfare in advance, so you don’t find yourself scrambling last minute to put together the most crucial parts of your trip.  However, you can still include “A night at the Four Seasons” and “Airfare for 2 to Bali” in your honeymoon registry. Simply use the appropriated funds to pay off the credit card after the honeymoon.

Don’t Forget Your Manners

The best way to put your guests at ease with this new trend is to keep it classy from start to finish. Begin by choosing a site that is visually appealing—one that is reflective of your good taste! As you share details about your honeymoon wishes on your registry page, be sure your genuine sense of gratitude for each gift is apparent. This is not only the right thing to do, but it will generate positive connections between you and your guests.

Resist the temptation to advertise your registry anywhere except the bridal shower invitations and your wedding website. Under no circumstances should your registry be printed on your wedding invitations, nor should a registry card be included with your wedding invitation (or on your social media channels like Facebook, Twitter or Instagram).

While enjoying your magical honeymoon, take a moment to document the excursions you and your beloved registered for before the wedding.  Snap a photo or two to print out (Artifact Uprising and Social Print Studio are favorites) and slip into your thoughtful, handwritten thank -you notes. This thoughtful gesture will reiterate your sincere gratitude and offer a glimpse into your special trip.

Which registry is right for you?

The modern couple essentially has four choices when it comes to wedding registries: a retail location of their choice, a site that allows them to include items from multiple retailers (a.k.a. a universal registry), a honeymoon registry, and a cash registry.  A universal registry can be a combination of all the above, making it a popular option for those with broad taste and varied social circles. This guide will focus on the latter three options, as they offer the most convenience to both engaged couples and gift givers.

Here are the seven most popular honeymoon and cash registry websites, in alphabetical order:

Blueprint Registry

I am excited about this newcomer to the wedding registry market! Blueprint comes out of the gate offering everything I’ve ever wanted in a wedding registry—a gorgeous, ad-free site, the lowest credit card processing fees in the industry (2.5%), a completion discount for post wedding day purchases, and the option to add a gift from any website to your registry (including donations to charities!).  Also noteworthy is that you can seamlessly combine a traditional, honeymoon, and cash registry into one. I think your coworkers will appreciate the option to make any gift a group gift, your Aunt Lou will appreciate the option to buy you a toaster, and your college friends will love the chance to send the two of you on a zip-lining excursion on Maui—all in one place. Not only do I like happy endings, but I like options too.  I am head over heels for Blueprint. Did I mention the ultra-low credit card processing fees?