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Ask Dana: Alternative Registries for Couples Who Have It All

Date:March 19th, 2012 | Category:Ask Dana, Fresh Ideas, Weddings | By Dana

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Hey there! Time for a new installment of ‘Ask Dana’…today we’re tackling the question that I get from SO many couples: “What do we register for if we’ve been living together forever and already have a house full of all the traditional gifts you’d find on a registry? We just don’t want any more STUFF!”

Never fear, not all gift lists have to be filled with silverware, linens or other unnecessary items. And if you are one of these couples who doesn’t want more stuff, you’ll find a cash wedding registry to be a great solution. One of the benefits of an alternative wedding registry is that you can register for cash gifts towards anything that fits your lifestyle.

Here are 5 ideas to create a cash wedding registry with personalized gifts that are perfect for what you need at this time in your life.

1. Honeymoon Registry

If your style is go big or go home and you’ve forever got travel on the brain, let your guests gift you the honeymoon of a lifetime. Whether you want to tour the Costa Rican rain forest, scuba dive in shark filled waters, traipse around Europe or just collapse on a private beach, you can use your honeymoon registry to make your dream vacation a reality by creating a gift list of all the parts of your fantasy trip. Don’t forget to take tons of pictures – the perfect complement to your thank you notes!

2. Home Improvement Registry

Got a fixer upper? Maybe you need to replace the dishwasher? Or perhaps you’re just saving for your first home. Believe it or not you can register for these things with a cash gift registry! Though most big home items are too expensive as individual gifts, with a cash wedding registry you can break up the prices into smaller contributions so that anyone can chip in. If your style is looking towards the future, creating a house fund registry may be the best option for you. When everything’s ready, have a house-warming party to show everyone what they helped bring to life.

3. Newlywed Activities Registry

The excitement shouldn’t end with your wedding day! Create a newlywed activities registry to continue the honeymoon throughout the first year and beyond. Customize a gift list of all the activities you both enjoy, such as museums, theater, or even a cooking and karate classes. Just because life is back to normal does not mean it has to be boring. Again, take some wonderful photos to share with your friends and families all of the fun they’ve made possible.

4. Personal Services Registry

The first year of marriage can often set the tone for years to come. Think about what petty things could be the cause for unnecessary disagreements and avoid them by registering for services to make your life easier. Make sure the house stays clean and tidy with the help of a cleaning lady. Stay fit and healthy for each other by hiring a personal trainer. Whatever the case may be, treating yourself to some practical gifts may be the perfect way to ease the transition into marriage.

5. Charity Registry

Why not use your wedding to raise money for a cause near to your heart? Create a charity registry that allows guests to contribute towards causes you have always loved. It’s a nice way to integrate giving into a special moment when you are receiving so much. Whether you choose a local organization or relief for the latest disaster, your alternative wedding registry can make a difference anywhere in the world.

Be creative, have fun and let your personality shine through — with these key ingredients, your wedding registry is sure to be a hit with guests

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Top Five Wedding Entertainment Trends for 2012

Date:March 9th, 2012 | Category:Fresh Ideas, Trends, Weddings | By Guest Blogger

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If you’re like most couples planning a 2012 wedding you’re looking to do something special and exciting. In the past, “something special” was one big surprise, like a fun wedding dance or an amazing entrance. This year’s trends are less about one showstopper and a general “WOW” factor throughout the event. To help you find that WOW factor, Marta Segal Block of GigMasters.com is here with a few ideas!

1. Creating Your Playlist. It used to be that couples selected a first dance and a father/daughter dance and that was it. Today, the majority of brides and grooms are creating not only a playlist but a do not play list to make sure that their entire wedding fits their vision. As a general rule, we recommend keeping these lists small. One of the reasons to hire professional entertainment is to have someone who can read the room, tell your band leader or DJ your preferences, and then let him do his job.

2. Ditching Traditions/Making New Ones. Believe me, no one wants to catch your bouquet, or see your groom struggle to get off the garter. Instead of forcing yourself through traditions that aren’t relevant to you, think of something else you could do with that time -make a speech, stage a dance to honor your grandparents, something that’s important to you.

3. Think Small. Going small is the key word for 2012 weddings - bouquets to guest lists and more. That doesn’t mean you have to skimp though. Having a small guest list makes your guests feel special and allows you to spend money on the things that really matter, like a great band!

4. The Guest Book as Entertainment. A simple guest book where people sign their names gets a little boring. New ideas for guest book include photobooth photos (although the mustache props are sort of 2010), the red carpet treatment with a personalized backdrop or hiring a caricature or silhouette artist to create portraits for the book on the spot.

5. The After Party. The post-reception party is a great way for your nearest and dearest to cut loose without the propriety of a wedding reception. This can be a great idea for people with a lot of out of town guests, or couples letting Mom and Dad control most of the wedding arrangements. But, keep in mind that an after party requires more food, drink, and entertainment – all of which equals more money. Also, keep in mind how tired you’re likely to be by the end of the evening. This idea is best for people with weddings and receptions being held earlier in the day.

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Marta Segal Block is the Editorial Director for GigMasters.com, the largest online entertainment booking agency. She’s been writing about weddings for years. Visit the Wedding Blog for daily wedding inspiration and Life of the Party for party ideas Baby Showers to ninetieth birthday parties and everything in between. Go get social with them: @gigmasters, pinterest.com/gigmasters/ and on Facebook.

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Deposit a Gift: The International Registry

Date:February 27th, 2012 | Category:Babies, Birthdays, Fresh Ideas, How To, Weddings | By Anna

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An international lifestyle brings with it a lot of fun – but it also brings some challenges. Especially when it comes time to give or receive gifts. For events like weddings, babies, and birthdays, giving gifts is tough when there’s an international divide. Deposit a Gift, though, can solve these issues and make the process easier for all!

Avoid Currency Exchange Costs

If guests give you cash gifts in a different currency than where you bank, you could be in for a hefty surprise when it comes to deposit fees. But if your guests give you monetary gifts via credit card you don’t have to worry about this. For international guests, we accept gifts from almost every country, so long as you have Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express. For a detailed list of countries from which we accept payment, see our FAQs.

For Traveling Recipients

Say you and your fiancé live in the States, but are soon planning a move to Europe. If friends and family give typical (read: physical) wedding gifts, you’ll have a tough time getting all that stuff to its final destination. Make it easier on yourself by setting up an alternative registry, so you can have the funds to buy what you need once you get settled and avoid the shipping and shlepping.

For Guests Abroad

When your guests are long distance, they might not be able to make it to the big event, but they’d still like to share something nice! Help them avoid the costs of shipping with a registry that lets them give a personal gift, even if it’s not in person.

There is so much fun that comes with an international lifestyle. And now, you can cross off one of the few disadvantages! Give and received gifts easily and tastefully with Deposit a Gift.

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How to Throw a New Home Shower

Date:February 13th, 2012 | Category:Fresh Ideas, How To, Showers | By Anna

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Last month we answered a question that many registrants have had: how to throw a shower when you’ve registered for a honeymoon. We’re answering a similar question this week: how to throw a shower when you’ve registered for a new home. Many new couples have found that Deposit a Gift is perfect for their needs when they don’t need the stuff to fill a house, because they still need the house! A shower can be tricky when there’s nothing to be showered with, but we’ve got a way!

Get the Guests on Board

Many guests are not familiar with a home registry, so make sure they understand the idea before the shower begins. Include a note on your site to let guests know why exactly you’ve chosen this new kind of registry. Describe their contribution in terms of giving the gift of experience that comes with a new home. After all, this is where your new family will begin! They’ll be thrilled to know that their gift will go towards a lifetime of memories.

Print a Gift Certificate

When a guest purchases a gift, they get the option to print out a gift certificate:

The certificate is a great way to bring a tangible gift to the shower. You can do something special with it too. For example, put the gift in a nice frame that can act as a physical gift for the shower, and can eventually hang on the wall in their new home. Or, try wrapping the certificate around something simple or small that will have a place in the new home, like an apron or towel.

Get Creative!

Though some couples like to register for a down payment, some like to register for all the supplies needed to build their own home. This couple got really creative, and used the shower to invite guests to participate in actually constructing their new house!

There are so many ways to explore your imagination to come up with something fun for your shower. And if you think you’ve come up with something really good, be sure to enter our monthly prize for the most creative shower!

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How to Register for a Fun First Year of Marriage

Date:February 1st, 2012 | Category:Fresh Ideas, How To, Weddings | By Anna

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Think of what’s on a typical registry – stuff like linens and silverware, right? Well, that stuff’s not too fun! Wouldn’t guests rather get you something that will truly make you happy and give you a lifetime of memories? Now they can! With a Deposit a Gift registry, you really can register for a fun first year of marriage. Here are some ideas to get you started…

The Honeymoon: Kick off life as a married couple right! Make your dream honeymoon come true by registering for travel costs, accommodations, lavish dinners, and local activities. Check out what this couple did for their honeymoon across Europe.

Weekend Trips: Whether you like camping trips or beach days, fill your weekends with your favorite activities by registering for these excursions and the gear to go with ‘em!

Date Nights: Don’t let the romance go when you get back from the honeymoon. Keep the spark alive by registering for dinners, movies, and anything else that makes the perfect date night.

Cultural Events: Museums, performances, sporting events – have fun and keep learning!