Attention Brides! Remember to Register!

Do you enjoy receiving gifts? What a great opportunity to tell your friends and family exactly what you'd like. Creating a wedding registry has never been easier. You've set aside time to select your wedding attire, taste cakes and sample food, so don't forget to take time out to register. Your wedding registry should reflect your combined style and preferences. It's time to start creating the wedding registry wish list of your dreams!

Esther Sheppard, manager of Hecht’s and strawbridge’s wedding registry, discussed tips for creating your perfect wedding registry. Esther Sheppard was online Wed., June 15th at 12:00 p.m. to answer your questions.

Esther Sheppard is the manager of Hecht’s and strawbridge’s wedding registry. She trains wedding registry consultants, plans and executes weddings and events and speaks at seminars. She has been a featured guest on Nashville’s “Talk of the Town” and Delaware’s “Your Morning Show.” She enjoys sharing her insight and expertise on how couples can plan the wedding of their dreams.

The transcript follows.

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Moderator: Welcome to Viewpoint! Today our guest is Esther Sheppard, manager of Hechts and Strawbridge’s, to discuss tips and tricks for creating the perfect registry. Thank you for joining us, Esther.

Esther Sheppard: Hello! I'm glad to be here and I look forward to answering your wedding registry questions.

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Rockville, Md.: Hi Esther. I am trying to figure out where to register for my January wedding. My family will have no problem purchasing everything we register for, but my fiance's family is another story. They are on a much tighter budget and would not be able to afford the more expensive gifts that we would register for. I don't want to make them feel bad, but I also don't want to cheapen our gifts. I haven't brought this up with my fiance yet, but the time to register is coming soon and we need to get something figured out.

Esther Sheppard: We always suggest registering for items that have several different price ranges. Items such as cookware may be purchased by a group of friends or officemates, whereas less expensive items would be more affordable to those on a tighter budget.

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New York, N.Y.: Hi, Esther,

My fiance and I are in our early 30's, cohabitate (happily!) in a studio apartment, and don't have a square inch of extra storage, counter, or display space. We will likely ask for decent everyday dishes, glassware, and pots/pans to replace our bachelor(ette) versions - but can't figure out anything else we need or want. Now what?

Esther Sheppard: This is a great time for you to begin your life together by choosing items that you both enjoy. Take time to register together selecting house ware items that compliment those you already own. Feel free to stop in one of our local stores such as Filene’s to meet with a consultant that can further assist you with your gift selections or you can visit us online at www.hechtsweddings.com.

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Washington, D.C.: What is the value for registering at a store such as Hecht's as opposed to several specialty stores that may have a more detailed selection?

Esther Sheppard: The value of registering with Hecht's is that once you register with us, your registry is available at 350 stores nationwide. Your guests will have the option to purchase your gifts online, in store, or by calling 1(800) 501-5885. We believe that we have the best brands at great prices.

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Annapolis, Md.: Hi. I was engaged a few years ago and bought a wedding dress but later broke it off with my fiancé. I still have the dress and was wondering whether or not you think that would be good to wear it in my upcoming wedding to my new fiancé. I would rather not spend another $700 on a dress I’ll only wear once but I was unsure of the proper etiquette for this sort of thing. Any suggestions?

Esther Sheppard: If your current fiance has not seen the wedding dress I think it is appropriate to wear it for your wedding.

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College Park, Md.: Do you think it's better to find a store where you can register for everything you need/want and possibly settle for things that aren't the aboslute best OR to register at multiple places and possibly pose problems for gift-givers.

Esther Sheppard: I think it is appropriate for you to register at a place where your guests are able to afford the items you select. Since you are starting your life together this is a great opportunity for you to choose items that reflect both you and your fiance's tastes and personalities. Don't worry about your friends, it is your wedding day.

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Baltimore, Md.: Would you recommend registering for china? It seems so impractical these days, but my mother insists that it is nice to have later on. What do you think?

Esther Sheppard: I definitely feel that you should register for china. Most couples that select china on their wish list are very happy because after the wedding priorities change.
It is best to stop by a store to look at the china selections to see what suits your needs. We recommend that you register for at least 12 place settings of china, flatware, and crystal stemware. Remember that you will probably be selected to host a holiday dinner or family event.

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Columbia, Md.: My fiancé and I have lived in our house for over a year now and don't really need the basics that usually go on a registry. We aren't too excited about signing up for another set of dishes! Any suggestions?

Esther Sheppard: Ok, so you don't want another set of dishes. There are many other fashion accessories to choose from to accent your new home. Some couples register for honeymoons or luxury items such as: Waterford crystal, Vera Wang home decor and Croscill bedding.

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Towson, Md.: I'm attending a friend's wedding in August. Everything on my friend's registry is way over my budget. What would you suggest I do? It would be improper to give her something that she has not requested, right? Thanks.

Esther Sheppard: I suggest that you purchase a wedding gift card in increments up to $500, then your friend can purchase items that may still be on her registry after the wedding.

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Fairfax, Va.: How does a couple go about informing guests where they are registered? It would seem greedy to place this information on an invitation but how else would guests know where to buy?

Esther Sheppard: Hecht's and Strawbridge's provide shower cards to announce your place of registry. It is not proper to place the shower cards in your wedding invitations. The shower cards should be enclosed with the shower invitations. The best advertising is word of mouth. Tell your friends, family, and attendants; they'll spread the word.

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Landover, Md.: Hi, my fiance and I are getting married this October and we set up our registry at Hecht's about a month ago. We initially didn't know what to register for as we already live with each other and have been for nearly 4 years. When we got that scanner gun, though, we went crazy & scanned anything we remotely liked! In your opinion, what are the "priority" items for a couple like ourselves?

Esther Sheppard: I would suggest taking an inventory of your home, room by room. Items such as: toasters, standmixers, and blenders now come in a variety of great colors. Everyday and fine dinnerware is definitely a priority.
Many forget to register for luggage, vacuums, and serving pieces such as: bowls, pitchers and utensils.
Any item that you use on a daily basis is a candidate for replacement or upgrading.

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Washington, D.C.: Does Hechts only offer wedding registries?

Esther Sheppard: Yes, at this time we only offer wedding registries.

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Bethesda, Md.: My fiance and I disagree about what items to register for. We are both in our mid-20's and already have most everything we need, so I feel that we should be able to register for nicer, more non-essential things. My fiance however, thinks that the gifts should be practical and doesn't understand why I don't want to register for tools and other "practical" items. Suggestions?

Esther Sheppard: Do you really have everything you need? If you were asked to host a dinner party, would you feel comfortable cooking and serving with what you have? You have to think beyond the wedding day into the future. If it would make your fiance happier, register for items he would enjoy as well.

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Arlington, Va. : How soon after I am engaged should I register?

Esther Sheppard: If you are planning engagement parties, you should register immediately for items such as: toasting flutes, picture frames, and candlesticks. If you are not having engagement parties at least 8-9 months prior to your wedding. Start with china, crystal and flatware. Then add fashion colors in bedding and textiles 60 days before your wedding.

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Arlington, Va. : Does Hecht's offer an after-wedding discount for items on a registry?

Esther Sheppard: Yes, Hecht's does offer a 10% after-wedding completion discount which allows you to purchase anything in our homestore for 90 day period after your wedding.

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Silver Spring, Md.: Do I need an appointment to register?

Esther Sheppard: No, you do not need an appointment to register. However, if you wish to have more personalized time with a consultant, an appointment is recommended. You can register online, in store at any of our registry kiosk, or with consultant.
Once you register for 10 or more items, you will receive a welcome packet including personalized shower cards.

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College Park, Md.: What do I do if I receive duplicate gifts?

Esther Sheppard: Guests shopping for your wedding gifts in our stores should always print an updated copy of your registry. Doing this ensures that they are purchasing items you still need. This helps decrease the amount of duplicate gifts you may receive. If you register at more than one retailer, never register for the same items. We graciously accept returns and exchanges for any items you do not wish to keep.

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Esther Sheppard: Brides remember to register! Your wedding day is just the beginning of your life together. Take time to make your house a home.
For other wedding related questions visit us at www.hechtsweddings.com.
Congratulations on your engagement and Hecht's and Strawbridge's is available to help with all your registry needs.

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Moderator: That wraps up our discussion. Thank you, Esther, for joining us!

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