Very small wedding and very full life

ndearmond

We have invited 18 of our closest relatives from grandparents to nephews and nieces, to our garden wedding.  Everyone will be traveling from three different states and giving us their time.  We did not register or ask for gifts, knowing that they are all in tight spots.

My mom is paying $5000+ for the wedding and we are contributing some.  Today, she asked about gifts.  The only things we might need with four types of coffee makers, etc., would be daily household items or emergency preparedness items.  These are the things we have on our private wish list.  There is no registry for these kinds of things, but we might be able to give a list.  For them to travel with any kind of gift may be a challenge.

She will be the point person for this question, but I don't know how to answer it, except to have honestly told her that our house is fully equipped and that we respect their time and travel expenses as their gift to us. Time is a precious gift.

Do I need a back-up plan?

ceh789

I don't understand... you want a registry for 4 kinds of coffee makers?  Or you're saying that you have 4 coffee makers and want things like paper towels and laundry soap?

There's no polite way to ask for household things.  If your "emergency preparedness" items are things like a generator, flashlights, fire extinguisher then register for those.  if your emergency preparedness items are cash and cash, then again - there's no polite way to ask.

If you truly don't want gifts then tell people when they ask if you're registered that you only want their presence.  

rlavach

Are you saving up for anything? A car, a renovation project... Perhaps you can have your mom say something to the effect of 'they are so fortunate to have everything that they need right now, but they are saving up for ::insert project here::' 

ndearmond

We really do have every appliance we could ever use and no room to store a single measuring cup.  (yes, we have a percolator, an espresso machine, a drip machine, a Keurig, and two french presses.)

I had not anticipated needing a registry with such a small group who will be spending so much to join us.

Our emergency preparedness includes things like water storage, a solar shower, a food dehydrator, a solar oven, and freeze dried foods.  We are always saving, but not for anything specific at this moment.

I will look into a registry that does include what we don't yet have and consider having her tell others that this is our project.  His family has been doing the same thing, so I think we will be fine with that.

ceh789

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_registering-gifts_very-small-wedding-and-very-full-life?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:34Discussion:26d51db6-5115-4e38-a3bb-3d1a41a28fb1Post:a902a1c5-8cf5-42df-b596-14d2dcfebc8f">Re: Very small wedding and very full life</a>:
[QUOTE]Our emergency preparedness includes things like water storage, a solar shower, a food dehydrator, a solar oven, and freeze dried foods.
Posted by ndearmond[/QUOTE]
You can register for all that on Amazon.  I'd go that route.

Kristin789

Like you, we invited only a small group (14 people).

We didn't register at all.

We received personal heart-felt gifts that represent those guests.  For example, we have the Aunt Patsy crocheted throw, the groom's parents sofa, the bride's mother's washer/dryer, the McGerk's artwork, the Sharon S. tulip serving plate, the Robin J. crystal double frame, the Connie picnic set, etc. 

ndearmond

Thanks RetreadBride, I haven't figured out the Amazon registry, but we do have plans to build our own solar oven one day.  Plenty of sunshine in Colorado!

ceceibson

I created a registry on amazon.com and I have all sorts of "little" and odd things on there.  Like pods for my single-serve cofee maker, bike stuff, etc.  Along with some more expected items, like kitchen and household stuff.

This isn't our first wedding, we're older/live together, etc. But I know people want to and will give us gifts, regardless of what we say or think, and that a registry is helpful and appreciated, at least by some.

You would be amazed at what's on amazon, LOL.

ndearmond

OK, we succeeded at creating a registry on Amazon and I shared it with my mom because she had asked about gifts.  The others are coming, but don't even think that they need to RSVP.  Is there a polite way to let them know about the registry?

Thanks for everyone's help!

Nico

ceh789

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_registering-gifts_very-small-wedding-and-very-full-life?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:34Discussion:26d51db6-5115-4e38-a3bb-3d1a41a28fb1Post:458c1ee2-6085-4ca7-b75a-e904b7d5f9b9">Re: Very small wedding and very full life</a>:
[QUOTE]OK, we succeeded at creating a registry on Amazon and I shared it with my mom because she had asked about gifts.  The others are coming, but don't even think that they need to RSVP.  Is there a polite way to let them know about the registry? Thanks for everyone's help! Nico
Posted by ndearmond[/QUOTE]
They'll ask your mom.