especially for you

These days there are loads of options, but which gift list will you choose?

In the old days it was a case of ‘you get what you’re given’ when you tied the knot (and you’ll be grateful). Now though, you can benefit from what essentially amounts to a gift list revolution! You can choose from virtually any kind of gift – there’s no need to stick to basic household goods. There’s nothing to say you must set up a list if you don’t want to, but it does make things easier for your guests if you help them decide what to get you. And once you’ve seen what’s available, there’ll be no stopping you! Some couples feel it’s a little presumptuous to include gift list details with their wedding invitations, but if you don’t do this, be aware that you will probably spend a lot of time giving people the details individually! It’s worth considering how parents and older guests might react to any of the more modern list registry services – contributing towards a couple’s honeymoon fund may seem perfectly natural to you and your friends but in their day it just wasn’t the done thing! This is one reason why many couples sign up for more than one list; at least that gives people an option. Here we outline some of the best services available today.

Onslow & Ridley

Tel: 0871 734 4041, www.onslowandridley.co.uk

• Bespoke wedding list service where you can choose potential presents from as many suppliers as you like
• Your list is compiled online or in person, then updated automatically and sent to you every week
• You can make an evening appointment to set up the list or arrange a home visit, and delivery is free of charge
• Because you make adjustments to your list and then finalise it before they actually buy the presents, you won’t end up with incomplete sets or double purchases

Wedding List UK

Tel: 0131 220 5689, www.weddinglistuk.co.uk

• Offers a free service, with an impressive range of products and suppliers available
• Includes everything from kitchenware and hampers to adventure experiences and spa treatments
• You get an email whenever a gift’s been bought
• Gifts are only bought after the list is closed, so you can swap items easily Guests buy online or by phone from the couple’s personal consultant

Debenhams

Tel: 08445 616161, www.debenhams.com/weddings

• High street department store with a wide range of items in stock, including kitchen and ware, accessories and textiles
• First you meet an adviser, who hands over a scanner gun that you can run round the store zapping things you like with. Later on you can easily add things on to your list through the website
• They offer their own little wedding present too, a £50 gift card
• Guests buy online or in the shop.
• Good for couples who want to combine guests’ contributions so they can afford larger items such as TVs; you just put gift vouchers on the list and top them up yourself if necessary.

HoneyMoney

www.honeymoney.co.uk

• Honeymoney does what it says on the tin really, the idea is that people contribute towards your honeymoon
• Rather than simply offering you some money, it’s a bit nicer because people can give you actual treats to enjoy, such as Champagne on arrival, an elephant safari or a balloon ride
• There’s a £50 set-up fee (waived if guests spend more than £2,000) and a 9% service fee applies to each item bought
• Included in the price is your own personal wedding homepage, where you can tell people all about the big event, and an account manager to help research potential gifts

The Alternative Wedding List

www.thealternativeweddinglist.co.uk

• Online service allowing you to set up a gift list where charities are the ones to benefit from your happy day
• This list is free to use, non-profit-making and very user-friendly. All you have to do to register is fill in an online form which generates your list
• Wide selection of charities to choose from and the pricing options are equally flexible
• You receive a certificate after the wedding showing exactly how much your day has raised for charidee
• New charities are joining up all the time, with Mencap and NCH just a couple of the recent additions.

www.Wrapit.co.uk

Tel: 0845 075 1300

• Online gift list department store with just about any item of stock available
• They’ve got the usual household basics as well as lots at the very top end of the stylish products market
• You can set up either online or with a glass of wine in one of their showrooms. Your consultant guides you through the process and the whole thing is very easy to manage via the internet.
• Ideal for couples who can’t be bothered traipsing round a busy shop to pick their gifts, and anyone looking for a wide range of products.

Cone9 Ceramics

Tel: 01620 890 300

• Gift list featuring hand-made ceramics, art, sculptures and designer jewellery
• Cone9 Ceramics provides a bespoke service that you’d probably sign up to in addition to a more conventional list
• Each piece is a one-off, and the collection encompasses practical items such as a dinner service, as well as purely decorative items that would sit nicely on the mantelpiece
• Designer/proprietor Ruth Colston will show you round her North Berwick studio as she helps you compile your list, guests use the same method to view products
• There is no charge for the service and each couple receives 5% in gift vouchers for every item purchased

Scottish Linen

Tel: 01967 402010, www.scottishlinen.co.uk

• Company based in the highlands that designs and creates luxury linens for the bathroom, bedroom, dining room and kitchen
• Gift registry is simple to set up, with emails sent to let you know about purchases as they happen
• Guests can shop online or by phone and each present is expertly wrapped – they even arrive with an embossed card, also free of charge
• Once the registry is compiled it can be viewed and changed as often as you like