Wedding Registries 101

Before stepping up to the altar and saying "I do," here's one other vow to consider: Promise to avoid the financial traps when signing up at bridal gift registries. Read the fine print, avoid unnecessary credit card offers, and ask about extra fees, charges and return policies before registering online or at the store.

This is a busy time of the year for wedding planning, and with so many details to consider, it's no wonder that setting up the gift registry and researching choices is frequently done haphazardly.

Here are some tips that could help the bride and groom avoid financial headaches before tying the knot.

Register online as well as at traditional stores. Register with two or three merchants, so your friends and family members will have more options on gifts and prices. Keep in mind that Aunt Mary's not Web-savvy and would prefer shopping at the store.

Some multipurpose online sites offer reasonably priced wedding reception decorations and gifts for the bridesmaids and groomsmen. TheKnot.com, links to two companion sites; The Nest and The Bump.

Be wary of plastic pitches. Nothing looks as good on wedding registries as big discounts on china, cooking utensils and other gifts that you purchase or that you get as gifts. But take a closer look. Sometimes those discounts, or rewards point, are available only if you use the merchant's credit card.

Macy's online bridal registry, for example, offers rewards points and a $100 wedding gift - but the fine print explains that you must have a Macy's credit card to take advantage of its Registry Star Rewards program.

Ask yourself: Do you really need the credit card?

Check on fees and extra charges. Know what you're signing up for. What are the charges for wrapping and shipping? This may help protect the person who's buying the gift from getting slapped with a hefty service charge.

Does the retailer offer "completion" deals? Some merchants will toss you a generous discount on unpurchased registry items, according to Bankrate.com, a personal finance website.

Ask for gift certificates. This way you can buy what you want when the items go on sale.

Get it in writing. Is the bride offered a discount on the price of the china? Were you quoted a price for ordering a minimum number of place settings?

"Don't be stuck with empty, very verbal promises," wrote Jeff Ostroff, who operates the consumer website bridaltips.com.

What's the return policy? Is there a generous time frame for returning duplicate gifts or the wine goblet that has a chip in the base?

On the other hand, consider keeping some extras, they might come in handy after you accidentally drop the butter knife down the disposal.