Okay, just my two cents....
As far as a gift registry, I always thought it was for the ease and convinience of the guests. If you would like to buy a gift for the bride and groom, it takes the guess work out of what they might like or need.
Now, my sister is getting married in July of 07. She and her fiance have lived together, first in an apartment and then a house, for almost three years. There simply isn't much that they need. My sister is the kind of person that appreciates gifts of senntimental value over those of monetary value. It was her intention to not to register at all, anywhere. A few of us (family and friends) tried to explain to her that some people really depend on a registry. Her response? "I don't want people to feel like they have to go out and shop and spend their money on stuff I don't really need."
About a month later, she and her fiance are headed to the
travel agency to book their honeymoon. Like any reasonable person, they went with cash in hand to pay a 50% deposit on a honeymoon that they can afford to pay for. The
travel agent suggested the honeymoon registry. Not something my sis had ever even heard of. Her first response was "Ewww, no thank you, we can pay for this ourselves" The travel agent offered another point of view.
It is something you can use vs. china place settings.
Nothing to ship, nothing to break, nothing to cart to the wedding.
The bride and groom don't have to know the value of each gift, just the balance due two weeks prior to the wedding. They are simply sent a small card indicating that a gift was given and by whom.
Those wishing to give a gift may do so with any form of payment.
Well, she is not completely convinced that this is something she will do. I personally think she is waiting for some feedback from people, but she recently received a wedding invitation from a friend with a honeymoon registry. She did say it gave her a different perspective.