According to MyRegisty.com, male-centric wedding registries created by Groomzillas (registering for sports memorabilia, comic books and tech gadgets) are on the rise. Guys what do you think of these "Groomzilla" wedding registries? What do (or did) you secretly wish you could register for?
Funny Guy says:
I am against bride-centric or dude-centric wedding registries. What the hell is going on here? Wedding gifts are intended to celebrate the union of two people; This isn't a friggin' birthday or retirement party. You want a new dress or electric razor? Throw yourself a Quinceañera or ask for it next Christmas. When it comes to wedding gifts the groom and bride should request items they can both utilize and enjoy- housewares, new bedding and expensive handjob creams.
Girls' BFF says:
I think male centric wedding registries are the best and worst idea ever. They're good because guys really get pushed out of the whole wedding process if they're not careful. But they're bad because if left to our own devices, NOTHING we'd put on the registry would have any relevance to a combined new home. We'd have nothing but electronics while we'd have to dry off with paper towels because we didn't have any. Or we'd eat using fast food sporks. And nobody likes sporks. The very concept is confusing. With that being said, if I could create my own registry...well, throw a few televisions on there (flat screen HD of course) and some...uhhh...uh....DVDs. Yep. That's it. Thank you and good night.
Reformed Player says:
I'll preface this by saying I don't get why we still give people getting married consumer appliances or gifts in general. Back when a waffle iron was a luxury, sure. These days, we have advanced as a society to the point where any adult that can make rent also has the wherewithal to buy these things. Seriously. These days, a wedding is a party you throw for your friends that for some reason they are required to pay a gift-wrapped bauble as a cover because tradition. It's weird.
So, that being said, and I'm being sincere about this, CASH.
I'm not kidding. I know it's declasse, but any young married couple have student loans and other debt, which has been newly comingled by their decision to sign a piece of paper. I do not now, and have never, needed a toaster. If I ever need one, I can buy one from Target. By the same token, I can buy my own useless man-toys. I'd rather have the fifteen bucks to put towards our newly pooled student loans because that will do a hell of a lot more towards securing our future happiness than something we'll unwrap, write a nice note about, and then unload in a yard sale five years later.
Mystery Man says:
The groom's job at a wedding is to shut up when not repeating vows, not get too drunk, leave the bridesmaids more or less alone and generally stay out of the way of the serious business of wasting money on a massive party. He should be allowed nowhere near the planning stages at any time.
Unlike Dan, I am in favor of wedding gifts in general - giving a couple a gift to mark their start in life together is an ancient tradition and, provided it is from family and good friends only, a sign of affection and one less item to buy to set up housekeeping. Cash is useful, but to me has always seemed a cold gift.
I think a male-centric wedding registry is a horrible idea though. You ever asked a guy what he wants for Christmas or his birthday? He'll usually say "I dunno." Multiply that by however many guests, and you have a seriously blank registry.
Not having a registry comes with risks. My cousin failed to have a gift list and received 8 coffee makers. She's living in a two room apartment, not a damned coffee shop!
I did put a new set of tires on our registry. Got them too. Thanks Dad!
Gal Pal says:
I'm not a big fan of registries in general, but I suppose they're helpful for older relatives or colleagues who don't know the couple intimately. (My favorite registries are those suggesting donations to charities - if you can swing it, I think it's *the* classiest way to go.) My problem with this Groomzilla article is that a lot of "groom" gifts they mention are just as useful to both men and women. Last time I checked it wasn't 1952 - women are allowed to like camping supplies, grills, tools, etc. And really, what are you going to use more often? The Wedgwood tea cups or the convertible flat-head/Phillips screwdriver? (Oh yeah, I've received a lot of tools for my birthdays. Thanks, dad!)
I would NEVER buy those kinds of things if they were on a wedding registry!
I've always seen wedding registries as a way to help young newlyweds get settled into their first home or apartment. Most newlyweds have mismatched pots and pans, incomplete towel sets, etc. A wedding registry helps them get the things they need and ensure that everyone buying them a gift doesn't show up with a crock pot.
I think registries should be reserved to young couples for that reason. Adults who have been living on their own and have all of their household needs shouldn't register for all new things. A couple I know who married in their 30's and 40's asked that in lieu of gifts donations be made to a charity of the giver's choosing.
If guests follow the registry then the bride and groom won't get a toaster if they won't use it or get heinous bedding that doesn't match their decor.
I enjoy purchasing wedding gifts. It is great to know that if I pick something from the registry they will enjoy it and that it won't just end up packed into a closet for years.
If you really want to be creative get them something from their registry but make a homemade card. If you were close to the couple, make a scrapbook of their pre-marriage years.
But if you REALLY hate registries, RP is completely right. No one will EVER be upset about receiving money!
I don't like the idea of a "guy only" wedding registry, but I do think guys should be involved in the decision making process. A honeymoon registry is also a great idea for the couples who don't necessary want items for the home. The Groom's List offers some great resources/tips for grooms in this area: http://www.thegroomslist.com/the_wedding/the_groom/registry/