Call or visit stores you are considering and discuss their registry service. Make your decision not only on the services the store offers to you, but also on the services the guests purchasing a gift will receive. Keep in mind where most of your guests will be shopping. Many other stores, besides department stores offer a gift registry service. Hardware stores, bike and hiking shops and hobby stores are just a few examples of other stores to consider.

It is not considered proper to include gift preference information in wedding invitations. The mother of the bride, mother of the groom and attendants can help inform guests of the stores chosen by the couple. Some stores will provide printed cards to include in shower invitations announcing where the bride is registered. Gift registries keep track of what the couple have selected and what has already been purchased so guests can avoid those items.

The best time for engaged couples to register is four to six months before the wedding and before any wedding showers. Schedule an appointment at the stores you choose. Plan on the appointment lasting at least one hour. Both the bride-to-be and the groom-to-be should attend. If the groom can't make it, a friend or relative can join you.

Take an inventory of the items both of you currently own and decide if those items will need to be replaced, keeping in mind the home you will be furnishing. Think of all rooms in a home, not just the kitchen and dining room. Visit a department store to make preliminary selections of dinnerware, flatware, stemware, bed and bath linens and to get an idea of each other's color and style preferences. The registry process should be relaxed and the couple should focus on decision making. Make choices from a wide range of prices and for every room in the home. Ask questions about the products and manufacturers. If you need more time to finish your selections, ask for another appointment.

Expect to see your dinnerware, flatware and stemware presented as they would appear on a table. If you have inherited china or flatware, bring samples along, so coordinating pieces can be selected. With the current trend to mix and match dinnerware, an inherited pattern can be used as a foundation and new selections made to add to or fill in missing pieces. If you want your bathroom and bedroom colors to coordinate, be sure to see the towel set and bed ensemble side by side. If there are five different shades of blue towels, be specific about the shade of blue you like.

It is wise to communicate with the gift registry after each shower and periodically before the wedding to make sure the registry reflects the gifts you have received. If you are registering for the same items in more than one store, it will be up to you to check both registries frequently to make sure they reflect the same purchases.