Honeymoon Registry (kind of long)

kirstendiaz

First of all--my apologies in advance if this is a previous post. Just wanting to know everyone's thoughts on a honeymoon registry.  My FI and I love the idea as we already own a house, and we're pretty much "set" as far as traditional items are concerned. Sure, we're going to probably do a smaller registry at Crate & Barrel or Target, we do need a few things. We also love home improvement projects, so we were also going to register at Lowe's.  My parents think that the honeymoon registry is a great idea (honeymoon itself is already taken care of) for the spending money/excursions for our trip--we are going to Europe for about three weeks, and that's expensive!  His parents think it's tacky to ask people for money. I think it's the whole generational gap with his parents. I think that having someone pay for an excursion to the Vatican and the Spanish Steps is money much better spent (and a heck of a lot better memory) than a bunch of housewares we don't need/want. Thoughts?!! Have any of you done the HM registry? We're looking at the Honeyfund and Traveler's Joy. thanks!

melissa82

I have mixed feelings on it. On the one hand, I'd think I was a super cool friend to be able to buy someone dinner on the beach (or whatever). On the other hand, that's not how these companies work--they deceive me (the buyer) by saying that's what I'm buying, and then just hand you the cash, which leaves a bad taste in my mouth. Other people are just offended by it in general. Personally, I wouldn't risk offending people, but I do think you're "safer" since you're offering a traditional registry as well. Once you get started and get one of those registry lists, you might find that you'd like more things than you thought, or would like to upgrade a lot of your existing stuff. We live together but still have PLENTY of things to register for.

keithnjulie

We've lived together 7 years and owned a home for 2 so we are in the same boat - although its always nice to upgrade on those housewares we'd rather have people purchase part of our honeymoon We did a Honeyfund and its just like you said - people either LOVE it or HATE it... But with that said it's nice to give people options. We registered at traditional places, Macys, BBB, and did the Honeyfund as well... For us we had to make sure we gave people the option to go more traditional if they wanted to - we put all the info on our wedding website which was nice as well... So far people have really liked it.. and I LOVE getting that email saying someone purchased on our Honeyfund :)Oh! Even though they take a percentage for credit cards I would encourage giving people that option. My family commented that it was nice to be able to pay cash, check, or cc... they like earning those miles using their cc.

jeannigirl

I wouldn't want to pay for someone's honeymoon personally, maybe pay for them to do something fun or take in a tour or something. I was thinking of having people put money on something cool like that but not footing some money towards the actual HM. I do think thats tacky.

kirstendiaz

It's not towards the honeymoon at all...we already booked the air (thank you miles, cha-ching) and we're booking the cruise portion ourselves as well. This is truly for the shore excursions, maybe a spa treatment or two, etc.  We'll be in Europe for over close to three weeks, so even though the "actual" honeymoon itself is taken care of, we still need spending money for everything else!

dmw_2010

We're totally doing one, because we think it's a cool idea and we've already got a lot of the typical "registry" stuff. (Both of us had very well-stocked kitchens when we moved in together.) However, we're also doing a traditional registry as well (upgrading some things, filling in things we don't have - like fine china). I figure people can do what they're comfortable with.

tcook212

We are doing a honeymoon registry through Honeyfund.com.  They don't really take your money like some companies do.  It's free.  The only time a fee is involved is when people contribute to it with a CC via Pay Pal.  There is also an option for them to "buy" you something off the list like a spa treatment, excursion, etc. Instead of paying online, the site gives them an option to print out something that says what they bought to put with a check or cash in a card they give to you.  The site then take the item off the list just like a a regular registry.We have both a traditional and honeymoon registry.  I would suggest listing items like dinner for two at a specific place or a specific excursion so it makes the guests feel like the bought you something fun and interesting.  We are going to take pictures of whatever it is we do  and send it the Thank you card.

SaraAnnAlvarado2010

I think it would be a nice option to have a honeymoon registry, people who don't like it don't need to buy something for you from it! Fundamentally I don't see the difference between "asking for house gifts" on a traditional registry and "asking for traveling gifts" on a honeymoon registry. I say go with it!

Kamm

We are also doing the honeyfund.com website along with a crate and barrel registry. So far people have purchased items from both and the transactions have gone smoothly. What you can also add and was one of the things to get purchased quickly on our honeyfund registry were the home improment donations. I think guest are happy to give money when they know what it is going towards.

amylbell

really the bride and groom just get cash/credit for whatever they want?  i just bought "wine with dinner" for a friends wedding gift on her honeymoon regsitry through the marriott...sheesh

melissa82

Yeah, read the site as if you're setting up a registry. It just gives them money. The hotel they're staying at might not even have the ability to do a dinner on the beach (or whatever). If they ever improve it to where the money I spend is actually purchasing a specific gift, I will happily get 100% on board with HM registries.

Zista

We did both honeyfund and a traditional.  A lot of guests (particularly our close friends, younger so perhaps used to online) loved it!  I got a lot of comments of how cool it was to give an "experience" instead of "stuff."  We sent people pictures of the experiences they financed, and it really made them feel like part of the experience.To Melissa's point, it does require a bit of integrity on the part of the couple.  We really did use our money for the gifts, except for the scuba diving, and that friend was happy to have it go to the hot air balloon.  :)We also had 50% choose to give through the traditional registry.  I think it's always good to give people choices.