Wedding Planning Blog by I Do! Wedding Favors

Who doesn’t live together before they get married? I know one couple that did not live together first and they are divorced because they learned that they couldn’t stand being together so much! But is this a tradition that should resurface? There are definite pros and cons to each.

It has been widely studied that the divorce rate is much higher in couples that live together before marriage than couples that don’t. Why is this? Personally, I don’t know and neither does anyone else! There is something to be said about your new husband carrying you over the threshold into your new home together. It is the true beginning of a new life when you haven’t been doing it every day already.

But what about that one couple I know? They ended in divorce. Isn’t living together a good idea? You get the chance to learn even more about your future spouse while discovering if you are completely compatible. Maybe this is a pessimistic attitude, but not everyone can live on love alone. So, what happens if you get married, move in together and discover that your husband is a slob and expects a wife and a maid, or that he is addicted to late night porn on those pay channels? You would know all of this if you lived together first.

Every relationship is different and every couple is going to have a different experience together. That is what makes relationships so wonderful! It is about finding someone that you can be completely comfortable with and someone that you can love and live with for the rest of your life. Traditionally, the bride and groom were not allowed to live together prior to marriage. Some people still believe in this, especially those people that are also saving their virginity. But then must you also believe in “’til death do us part?” and stay in a marriage even if you discover that you are completely incompatible when it comes to living together?

What do you think? Are you already living with your fiancée? Are you planning on waiting until after the wedding to move in together? Why have you chosen this particular path? How do you feel about other couples that choose to live together or choose to wait? We want to know!

I will be honest. Registering for gifts was the best part of wedding planning! My future husband and I were able to go to some of our favorite stores and choose some necessary items and some frivolous items and some items that we could never afford ourselves! Taking that little scanner gun and running around the store like a little kid at Christmas is one of the most fun things I have ever done. The only problem is deciding who gets to hold the gun!

There is a definite set of etiquette rules when it comes to registering for gifts. They are quite easy to follow, but first you need to know them!

First, it is acceptable to register at more than one store. It is preferable actually. Different guests will prefer shopping in different stores. Plus, some stores are specialty stores that will be your go-to for all kitchen necessities or all of your china/silver/crystal needs and wants. Giving guests a choice allows them to go somewhere convenient. Additionally, it is good to choose stores that have online shopping available. This is good for those people that cannot attend the wedding but want to send a gift or a guest that wants to give a gift but does not want to carry it to the wedding. Proper registry etiquette dictates that two to three stores is best. More than that offers too much choice and can make you seem greedy.

Register for gifts in a wide range of prices. You cannot expect that every guest will be able to afford a place setting of your china pattern. Definitely register for your china, but don’t forget about including smaller items such as everyday glassware and silverware. These gifts are much less expensive but you still need them!

Updating your registry is a must! You will need to check your registry to see what people have bought. This is to ensure that there are still options available to guests. If everyone purchases the less expensive gifts, then you will need to choose some more gifts in that lower price range. If you do not initially register for enough gifts and your registry ends up empty, then it will be necessary to register for more gifts. This is a courtesy to all of your wedding guests.

Register early! There are many occasions that an engaged couple will receive guests. The engagement party, bridal shower, bachelor/bachelorette party, and wedding are all occasions when gifts will be given. It is best to give guests an idea of what to give rather than make them guess.

Have you registered yet? How did you choose which stores to register at? Have you been following these registry etiquette guidelines? Tell us all about your registering experience!