Ditch the Wedding Registry

This time of year conjures up images of swimming pools, sun dresses, ice cream cones and weddings. What summer is complete without a few nuptials? Along with the weddings comes the ever popular bridal and wedding registry. Couples register for gifts anywhere from furniture and appliance stores to the trendier boutique shoppes. Most of us have had the experience of hitting up a store registry only to find that the only thing left is a pepper mill or a serving plate. Instead of standing in the aisle debating whether the salt and pepper shaker is really the right gift, stray from the norm this summer.

Kathie and Alisa West Folk are co-owners of the trendy Wish.list Boutique, a fashion and accessories boutique located in the heart of Vancouver's Kitsilano neighbourhood. Both girls strongly suggest shopping off the registry this season. First of all, you have a better chance of choosing a unique gift that the bride will remember, you won't show up with a pepper mill and out yourself for being a last minute shopper, and you have the opportunity to select your price range a little more discreetly. Kathie and Alisa specialize in gifts for the bride herself. Their top suggestions include a monogrammed necklace or candle with B' for bride, a statement necklace (a turquoise jewelled one by Montreal designers Claudia is one of Alisa's favourites) or a tea set. Give the bride a tea set and it can be displayed in her new home or it's a perfect excuse to invite yourself over for a catch-up post wedding, with cookies and tea courtesy of the new bride. When in doubt, picking up a pair of Hanky Panky underwear designed especially for the bridal party is always a hit.

Of course registries can be useful for those big ticket items but if you're looking to gift a sentimental, smaller piece, ditch it completely. You buy the necklace and let Great Aunt Patsy pick up that pepper mill this time around.

Carine Redmond, Western Contributor
		About the author:
		A West Coast baby at heart, Carine grew up in Ottawa and attended McGill University in Montreal before setting her sights on Vancouver in 2008. Carine works in PR and has a passion for all things celebrity and media related.  She can usually be found catching up on her celebrity gossip, playing with her Polaroid camera or people watching at the beach (while working on her tan of course).  Style icons include Jackie Kennedy, Tom Ford, and Judith Light as Angela Bower. Can’t live without: cherry chapstick, morning television.
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