In my favourite wedding movie, Four Weddings And A Funeral, there’s a hilarious scene where Hugh Grant enters the expensive antique store where his true love Andie MacDowell has set up her wedding registry. When he hears that the average price of the gifts is around £1,000 he enquires if there might be anything around the £50 mark. The snooty shop owner replies that he could buy the lifesize pygmy warrior sculpture… if he can find someone to chip in the other £3,950! With that he diplomatically says he’ll think about it and sheepishly backs out of the store.

In hindsight the store owner’s suggestion actually makes a lot of sense. Big ticket items are unlikely to be purchased by one guest, but several guests clubbing together can comfortably cover the cost. So, registries are an ideal way to request top shelf products whose costs can be shared. There are an abundance of registry lists to choose from both online and traditional store front. You can register for experiences like your honeymoon and honeymoon activities or you can stick to the regular items… kitchenware, towels and bedding. The sky is the limit. Sometimes however, your guests might feel a little bit weird buying you your quilt. For example, I recently made a late visit to a list and faced the prospect of buying a quilt – the only item left in my price range. I couldn’t do it. The notion that the couple would think of me every time they went to bed was just too weird!

To give your guests a little more choice you may like to consider adding your album of wedding photographs to the registry. This is such a beautiful keepsake that many couples in the now digital age, just aren’t budgeting for and I believe it’s a shame. Photographs are taken to be printed and displayed for future generations to admire. By registering for your wedding album, the cost is shifted away from you and into the hands of your guests who in turn know they are giving a truly unique and meaningful present. And every time you look through the album, you’ll think of your guests.

Registries such as From The Owl have an amazing range of gift ideas and you can also add your album to your registry. All that’s left for you to do then, is to enjoy your wedding day and look forward to the experience of browsing your beautiful wedding album!

Images by Queensberry

Ms Gingham says: I like a wedding album the way I like real books. Not that I don’t like an ebook for convenience but sometimes there’s nothing like the feel and texture of a real book. Your grandkids will love flipping through the images of their grandparents long after a computer disc has been outdated. Thanks to Milton from Milton Gan Photography for the food for thought.

About Milton Gan: As the Four Weddings theme tune states: Love Is All Around. This is true, and I want to capture as much of it as possible. Find Milton on Google+