Weddings get e-easy as gift registries go online

THE tradition of gift registries for bridal couples – previously a feature of big department stores – is increasingly now moving to a digital platform in South Africa. Big national chain stores and local wedding gift shops alike have seized the opportunity to offer convenience to their customers.

Nelson Mandela Bay's own Wedding & Function magazine launched an online gift registry at The Herald Boardwalk Bridal Fair just over a month ago. Magazine owner Graeme Lund said that to date about eight couples have signed up for their wedding registry.

"Although we don't offer big appliances like fridges and stoves, we have items from across the board, from basic to top-end products, pretty much everything bridal couples would look for!"

Carrol Boyes and Makoti products are among the exclusive products, he said.

"No other PE store has these on their stock list. Online wedding gift registries are mostly convenient for guests who live in different parts of the globe. If you for example have family who have to travel from Johannesburg or maybe even New York, they may not have enough time to buy a gift."

In the comfort of their own homes couples can sign up for the online service and an automated e-mail is sent out to their guest list, he explained..

"We then do a bulk delivery, when the couple returns from their honeymoon." Couples have budgets ranging between R3000 and R20000, he said.

Another South African online store, Yuppiechef, started with bridal registries seven years ago.

"The concept has been extremely well received in general. When brides have so many other things to worry about in the run-up to their big day, they just love the convenience of an online, hassle free service," head of registries Fiona Hilton said.

"We've grown from delivering just a few dozen registries in year one, to well over 1000 in the past year."

Hilton said bridal couples compiled their dream wish list of gifts from a huge selection of quality products from over 300 reputable brands, and then told their guests to go to the store's website to search for the registry, browse and buy online.

Yuppiechef similarly delivers all the gifts to the bridal couple, after the wedding.

"Managing the registry is easy – just log in and add or remove gifts as you go," Hilton said.

"Has Aunty Mabel already gone to a store and presented you with a nice new toaster as a pre-wedding gift?

"Well, you can just quickly log in and remove the toaster from the list.

"If someone else has already bought it – not to worry, you can make exchanges when you close your registry. It's a useful feature our brides love."

Retailers which offer online registries include: @home, Woolworths, Boardmans and Mr Price Home.

Couples can easily visit a store of their choice online, register for free and create their registries.

Their guests may then find the gift registry by searching on the website for the bride's name and the wedding date. - Balisa Ntloko