Okay, look, these are not wedding registry tips for the faint of heart. I am not going to tell you the same stuff you’ll read everywhere else about making sure you register for china patterns and whatnot. This is REAL wedding registry advice that is going to help make sure you have an awesome registry that maxes out your chances of getting the stuff you actually want as wedding gifts.

Before we begin, realize that getting your registry right isn’t selfish or greedy. Gift-giving is part of wedding etiquette and part of wedding tradition. Most people not only want to get you a gift, but they want to get you something you will cherish and that will help you start your road as newlyweds off right. These wedding registry tips will help you accomplish that.

Wedding Registry Tips: 3 Top Blunders Brides Make

1) Not registering at all. In an attempt to be nice/unselfish/whatever, many brides simply choose not to register. Unfortunately, what this means is that you are going to end up with a lot of – ahem – crap that you don’t want. If you don’t want a bunch of stuff, you can always register for gift cards or a honeymoon. Avoid not registering; you’ll regret it.

2) Forgetting wedding registry must haves. Wedding registry must haves are not the same for every couple. There are lots of great lists out there to give you an idea, but instead of using someone else’s list blindly, sit down with your fiance and take some time to really think about what you might like and/or need. If you think you have everything already, think harder. Maybe you could use some board games or some new living room furniture? Maybe there’s a chandelier you love or you’re dying to take a trip. All are acceptable items for your registry, along with more traditional things like bed linens, tableware, etc.

3) Not registering for big-ticket items. Heed this wedding registry advice: your guests are clever enough to band together to get you that uber-expensive thingy you’ve got your eye on, so don’t shy away from putting it on the registry. It doesn’t mean you’re selfish, it simply means you’re letting your guests know that there is something you’d really, really love.

Insider Wedding Registry Advice: How to Get What You Really, Really Want

1) Spread the word about your registry. Since it’s unacceptable etiquette-wise to put registry info in your invitations, you have to get creative if you want to get the word out about your registry; otherwise you run the risk of well-intentioned guests buying you things you simply don’t want or need – a waste of their generous gift. Be smart by letting people know about your wedding registry must haves. Tell your parents and your wedding party so they can spread the word when asked.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, put your wedding registry deets on your wedding website. (Don’t have one? Help is on the way.) Then put your wedding website URL on your invites so people will be able to find your information without you offending anyone.

2) Don’t make your list too long. If there are a few items you really, really want, a shorter wedding registry will convey that. This is one of the most crucial wedding registry tips because you don’t want guests to get lost in a huge long list of gift ideas. Don’t worry about making your registry big enough that there are enough ideas for everyone. Most people are likely going to give you cash anyway; just make sure your fondest wishes are there. A shorter registry will convey how much you want those items.

3) Use multiple stores. A lot of brides struggle with creating the perfect registry because they can’t narrow their wishlist down to one store. Thanks to the Internet, this is simply not a problem. Sites like myregistry.com allow you to have items from multiple stores (even offline stores) all in one place, or you can use a service like WeddingChannel or your wedding website to showcase your multiple registries.

4) Don’t dawdle. If you leave creating your wishlist till the last minute, all of this wedding registry advice will be for naught. Guests often buy your wedding gift months in advance. You want to have your list together by the time your invites go out, or even better, your save-the-dates. Don’t worry if you think of other items later on; it’s never too late to add them. Just make sure the registries are in place so that when your guests want to shop, they will have your guidance.

Of course, no matter what you get, it’s your duty to be gracious. Weddings are expensive for guests to attend, after all. That said, there is nothing wrong with being a little strategic as far as your wedding registry goes. No one wants to spend money on something you’re going to hate. Your guests will appreciate your direction, foresight, and planning, and you will appreciate getting gifts that are truly meaningful and/or useful in your new life as newlyweds.

Photo Credit: Lea Ann Belter Bridal on Flickr