What We're Loving: NewlyWish

Let's be honest - planning a wedding can be stressful. Making a guest list, reserving a venue, choosing a photographer, sending out invitations - there is a never-ending list of things to do. Heck, finding the perfect gown can take weeks, months or even years! And in the midst of all of this planning, couples have to set aside time to create their wedding registry. We know - the thought of having "spare time" while planning a wedding is somewhat comical. But who doesn't love making an elaborate wish list of gifts? Weddings are one of the few times when couples can pick out presents that they actually want people to give them! But despite the belief that registering for gifts is one of the best parts of planning a wedding, it can actually be a daunting task. There are just so many things to consider! Gifts or donations? Macy's or Crate & Barrel? Fine china or everyday dinnerware? The options are endless! It's enough to drive anyone crazy, let alone an already stressed-out couple. And what if they have different tastes or can't agree on certain items? Or, worst-case scenario, what if they just don't like anything? What's supposed to be a fun and memorable occasion can easily turn into a nightmare! If only there was something to simplify this crazy process and make it more enjoyable. Good news - there is! Say hello to NewlyWish, a free online registry service that offers options far beyond the typical department stores. We first learned of NewlyWish when The White Dress by the shore owner, Beth Chapman, met founder, Amanda Allen, at an Engage Luxury Wedding Conference. Beth became an instant admirer of this innovative brand, and the two became fast friends. The inspiration for NewlyWish came from the founders' own wedding registry experience. While creating their registry, Amanda Allen and Robard Williams realized that they had limited options. Their favorite local shops didn't have online registries, and the typical department stores didn't have impressive merchandise. So, in May 2010, NewlyWish was born. Unlike other online gift registries, NewlyWish primarily partners with small businesses, selling pieces and experiences from more than 50 independent brands, boutiques, artisans and service providers. Couples can choose traditional gifts like kitchen and bath items, or they can select more unique gifts like cooking classes, tickets to a sporting event or spa treatments. This sort of merchandizing offers couples choices that they wouldn't normally get from large department stores. And it gives them an opportunity to build a registry that truly reflects their life and style! NewlyWish actually fulfills couples' orders itself, which eliminates the worry of duplicate gifts. While this might not seem like a big deal, it really is! No one wants to end up with two toasters, five sets of silverware, three crockpots...well, you get the picture. The concept is just genius! As if this wasn't enough, it gets even better. The company has a Gift Tracker that keeps track of who purchased certain items from the registry. This makes writing thank you notes a breeze! NewlyWish also has the ability to hold couples' gifts until after their honeymoon or until they've moved into their new home together. Talk about great customer service! With all of these awesome features, it should come as no surprise that NewlyWish has had tremendous growth since it first began. The number of registry profiles continues to grow! There's no denying that this company is a force to be reckoned with. Allen and Williams tapped into a virtually untouched market and put all other online registries to shame! Clearly, NewlyWish is here to stay. And guess what? We couldn't be happier. Take a look at some of their innovative gifts below! And good news - The White Dress in color, the book co-authored by The White Dress by the shore owner, Beth Chapman, will soon be included as a registry item! Below are a few must-have items from the site that we are coveting ourselves! Click here to start your registry!

xoxo, TWD