I suspect it has something to do with buying presents for infants.

When I got married a year ago we registered for a ton of stuff but it was all stuff that we needed/wanted and we didn’t return anything. But a few people did do funny things–for example several people bought us wine glasses and said “you didn’t register for wine glasses so we thought we’d get you some!” The reason we didn’t register for them was that we already had a full set! So now we have extras, which is fine.

My mother-in-law also said something to the effect of that registries are only for people who “don’t know us or don’t know what we might like.” Totally untrue as she went off-registry and got us a bunch of stuff we barely use/don’t need. I think when in doubt, buy from the registry or give gift cards! Restaurant gift cards are great.

Also, WEDDING PROTIP: switching your open bar to do beer only is super key and an amazing way of spending money. Also see if they’ll do domestics only for even less – you might be surprised what counts as a “domestic”!

We saved something like $25/person total by doing that, and found out at the wedding that “domestics only” still included a ton of craft beers, Sam Adams, Guinness, and a bunch of other stuff, when we were basically just expecting like Yuengling and Miller. So, DOUBLE score.

One thing puzzles me – why was there a registry if it was a traditional Asian wedding? We simplify everything by giving cash. All cash, all the time. That’s the best way!