Registry running out of items. Guests starting to comment.

I had two showers and a pretty big registry, but the time that the wedding came around there was pretty much nothing left. A few people said some things, but we just said that we really had everything we need. Be prepared for gifts not on your registry because some people really don't like giving cash.

I would just tell them that you are "looking into adding more items." And leave it at that...seems like the easiest (in a roundabout way) to handle the situation. Ours started to really fill up and 2-3 days before I started to add more items, but these were the things I either had no problem buying on my own (like matching photo frames) or the things that I knew i wanted to get with the completion discount (curtains/rods)...some were purchased, some weren't. But we also received A LOT of gift cards, and I think that was in part because many of the items were purchased.

If you're having a shower, I wouldn't necessarily count on getting too much cash for a gift....we definitely didn't see it (maybe $100-150 total. The rest was in gift cards) as I think people think it is a bit impersonal for a shower gift.

Exactly like you said it. "We registered for what we need, we don't need anything else." You could add "we're trying to minimize how much stuff we have to pack when we buy a house after the wedding."

@Sara Such a good way of putting it! I'm definitely going to try that one.

Oh geeze... I am afraid of this happening and we did a small registry for the exact same reason (please give us cash). I agree with Emmy that you can just say something like "well we included everything we needed. If I think of something else, I'll add it". Then be prepared for either giftcards or gifts off the registry.

I'll be interested to see how it all works out for you and Maltese. Specifically if you receive more cash at the wedding, bc I agree that most people won't give money at a shower. Maybe a giftcard, but likely not cash.

@Laura....in our area its pretty uncommon for the Bride and Groom to receive a physical gift on their wedding day...usually its envelopes with cash or check inside a card and the registry is predominately used through the engagement period for the shower or an engagement gift, should someone want to send one.

I think you'll hear this no matter how many items you have on your registry. People kept saying this to us before my shower and it really translated to "There's nothing on your registry I want to give you". I don't think you need to mention why you prefer cash. People will most likely see the fulfilled registry and give you cash anyway.

@Laura I'm definitely not expecting cash at my upcoming shower. I've never seen cash given at one.

At my last shower it was mostly my FMIL's friends (a TON of them are coming to the wedding) and they were so ridiculously generous. I was expecting maybe a $15-30 gift from each...and was getting like $200 gift cards and vacuums! Those ladies almost completely wiped out my registry. Definitely not complaining, but I was shocked!

@Maltese It's typically the same in our area. Cash in a card at the wedding. We always give cash. That's why when people mention the registry I want to be like "We want money!!!!!" haha although I would never...

I second what Sara said, it's a really good way to hint at what you were intending with the small registry.

Wow. I never thought people would comment about not having enough stuff. Why would they force you to add knickknacks you don't need.

I like Sara's wording! Our registries are about 75% gone and my second shower is also this weekend. I've had a few friends ask me what I really want off my registry. I'm having a hard time answering because the things I really want (like the Dyson vacuum) there's no way in hell my grad student friends can buy for me! It's really just on there for the completion discount.

@Christina Seriously. Even the 80 items were WAY too many for our tiny apartment. All of the gifts from my first shower are currently on/around my dining room table because we have no where to put it all! We actually might need to put it all in storage until we get a house.

First world problems.

Side note, how close to your date can you add things and have them be eligible for the completion discount? We didn't add a pots and pans set bc they were all like 300 dollars and I didn't want a big group of people going in together to get it, instead of maybe writing us a check (yes, I'm aware of how shitty that sounds, I'm just keepin it real...). However, I might want to add it at some point so we could use the completion discount. would the day of work...lol?

@Laura Ha! I totally get what you mean. I would do the same. Depends on the store. They'll probably tell you if you call and ask.

@C&S...based on that, what I think will happen is that your shower guests will just have to chose from whats available on your registry and if they don't like the option then they will get you gift cards to the store(s) you're registered at. Just put those aside someplace where you wont lose them (if you have a safe, this is a good spot) and keep them on hand for when you guys do move or have something you need/want to purchase. There's no rule that you have spend them immediately and gift cards don't expire. And since your area is used to giving a monetary gift for the wedding, you will be able to put those towards the down payment.

@Lori...don't worry about that! You may have several friends go in together for a big ticket item. We had people do that with our knife set and I was stoked! Personally, I would much rather ask a couple people to chip in for the Dyson with me than get a blender or hand mixer for the bride

@Laura...most places give you the discount up to 3 months after the event and as far as I know there isn't a cut off date to STOP adding items! It all means more money for the stores in the long run!