we just got engaged a couple of weeks ago and my MIL is throwing us an engagement party over labor day. She wants us to register at Target right away so people can bring a gift to the party. Since we are planning on getting married August 2012, I thought it would seem presumptuous and greedy to register this early and basically ask for gifts for the engagement party AND the shower and wedding. We asked her to write "no gifts, please" on the invitations, but she did not, and she already mailed them out.
Which is less rude--NOT registering yet, so there is no presumption or expectation that people get us gifts for this party, or registering now so that they don't have to worry or wonder what to get us if they feel compelled to get us a gift?