Linda Kevich Interview
Reuters - June 2003
Linda Kevich shares insights about current trends emerging in the
area of wedding gift giving with Reuters correspondant Reshma Kapadia.
Reuters: What is spurring the trend, if it is
one, of web sites that let couples register for untraditional gifts
such as honeymoons and cash toward downpayments?
Linda Kevich: These trends have, to a great
extent, been spurred by the fact that many couples today have either
been married before, or have been living together. There is no longer
the same need that a newlywed couple once had for toasters, blenders,
and bed linens, because they already have everyting they need. More
and more couples have establsihed households and simply don't have
need the types of gifts which were commonplace for weddings in
previous eras, so the traditional gift registry no longer fits the
bill. The new trends in registries have emerged to address a need
arising from these changing societal norms.
Reuters: Is this is becoming more popular?
Linda Kevich: There is a noteable trend towards
couples registering for honeymoons, and while it's taking longer to
catch on, there is also a trend emerging for couples to register for
contributions for the down payments on their first home. Couples tend
to be a little more cautious on this one, because many still view it
as a little inapproriate or 'tacky' to suggest to guests that they
might help them with a down payment on a house.
Some traditional etiquette experts would suggest that such registry
options are improper, but today's wedding guest often appreciates a
little help in determining what a couple would really value and
enjoy. People lead busy, hurried lives, and no longer have the time
to leisurely shop for wedding gifts as they once did, and registries
offer them ease, speed, and convenience. When this type of registry
is offered simply as one option for gift giving, there is really a
lot of merit in it. It takes the guess work out of the gift-giving
process, and assures the giver that their gift will be put to good use.
If couples are concerned about how guests might react to such
registries, the key is to offer it only as an option for the
ease and convenience of guests who desire it. Stay away from making
any implication that gifts must only come through the registry.
Remember that it is never appropriate to dictate to guests about the
type of gifts they must give. Its important for couplese not to lose
sight of the fact that gifts at a wedding should never be
"expected", and they are never a requirement at a wedding.
In other words, wedding guests are never under any obligation to give
a gift at all, so it would be very improper for a couple to ever
imply that they are expecting gifts, or to dictate what the gifts
should be. A registry is only intended as a convenience for those who
would like to use it.
Couples should also be reminded that, while it is perfectly
acceptable to include registry information with shower invitations,
it is never appropropriate to insert these details into a wedding
invitation, as this makes the implication that couples are expecting gifts.
Getting the word out about the type of wedding gifts preferred by a
couple should always be done only through word of mouth by friends
and family of the couple if a guest should happen to ask.
Reuters: Is it OK to ask for cash?
Linda Kevich: Specifying a preference for cash
gifts is perfectly acceptable *if* guests ask about gift giving
suggestions, but again, the couple should never directly request this
on, or within, the wedding invitations, and it should always be
suggested as merely an *option* for guests. 
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