Photo: Courtesy of the Islands of the Bahamas
Unlike our grandparents’ generation, most engaged couples have moved in together long before tying the knot was even considered. So, your home is already stocked with essentials — from that trusty Vitamix to full sets of plates á la Kate Spade. But now that the wedding is nearly here, where to begin when it comes to a registry?
Instead of making the rounds at department stores requesting items on a whim (like you really needed those candlestick and napkin holders), map out your dream honeymoon with the help of your guests’ gifts. Inspired by a destination just off North American shores that’s scattered with 700 tropical isles, we looked to The Islands of the Bahamas to fill you in on a few ins and outs when it comes to designing a personalized honeymoon registry.
Start a DIY Registry
Just as simple as it is with Pottery Barn and Macy’s, destinations are making honeymoon registries a piece of cake for couples. The Islands of the Bahamas offers up a slew of sample registry activities for couples to choose from when crafting their own registry. This means you and the hubby don’t have to agree on the same kind of gift. Make it a compromise with each of you choosing activities that appeal to your interests, whether it’s big game and reef fishing off Nassau & Paradise Island or kayaking past The Bahamas’s iconic pink sand beaches and cascading cliffs.
Gift Experiences
Not all guests feel comfortable trading in traditional gifts for an envelope of cash, but honeymoon registries not-so-secretly disguise monetary gifts as experiences that will actually last you a lifetime (unlike a typical toaster or blender). With a list of honeymoon adventures they can choose from, guests can see you actually live out these moments (hello Instagram and Snapchat!) that they helped make happen.
Appeal to All Budgets
Glancing at a registry, some items hit much higher price points than guests can afford and the more budget-friendly picks are usually quickly snapped up. One of the perks of honeymoon registries is that you can vary activities or offer multiple contributions that quickly add up to cover your largest expenses like flights, hotels or even upgrades to snazzy villas with butler service and plunge pools. In the end, both you and your guests win as these contributions cover the bulk of your honeymoon, and they can also gift pricier activities as vague as “fine dining” or something a bit friendlier on the wallet, like $50 toward a casual conch shack dinner.
Create an All-In-One Website
The Islands of the Bahamas is just one destination that offers an all-in-one website, meaning you don’t have to create multiple sites for your guests. You can do everything by building a single website that allows you to craft downloadable announcements, add online photo albums, write a wedding blog, and post items to your registry that can be shared on all of your social media channels. The only hard part left is deciding on your getaway locale and honeymoon hashtag!
