After you have created your perfect wedding gift registry it is important to manage its progress properly. From keeping up with purchased items to what to do with your replaceable possessions once everything is given to you, by following a few easy steps you can transition from shopping, to receiving to organizing without hassle.

Step One: Check In

Once your registry is created and you’ve let your guests know where they can find it, you have to check in periodically. Checking in on which choices have been purchased, which have not and how quickly your gift list is emptying out can help keep you informed and your wedding guests happy.

For example, it is entirely possible that some of your guests will be feeling mighty generous and purchase more items off of your registry than you anticipated. If you do not check in on your registry some guests may be left with little or no options when they hit the store. Not to mention, it is pretty exciting to see gifts you’re really looking forward to receiving pop up as purchased.

Step Two: Give Thanks

After the revelry is through and you and your brand new spouse are at home with all of your fantastic wedding gifts, it is time to give thanks to the guests who gave them to you. Thank you cards are imperative. If you kept track of who gave you which gift, writing out thank you cards can be a breeze.

One simple way to stay organized in tracking who gave you that new toaster is to use the response of RSVP cards each guests sent back to you prior to the wedding. Response cards will most likely have each guest’s name on them. Once you open the gift that guest gave, jot it down on the back of the card. Having the names of the attendants and what they were nice enough to give you as a gift in once place can help you fly through your thank you card writing.

Step Three: Clean Out, Donate and Give Away

Now it is time to incorporate all those shiny new items into your home. Refer back to the inventory you created prior to starting your registry. As you put your new things away, remove the items they are replacing. Anything you are getting rid of should be broken down into three categories; things that are worn out or broken and need to be thrown away, things that can be donated to an organization like Goodwill or Salvation Army and things that you can give away to family and friends who can use them.

If you went over your wedding budget during the planning process, you can donate old items you are replacing with wedding gifts for a tax deduction in most areas and situations. Also, you will feel better about yourself than you would if you emptied the contents of your kitchen into a dumpster.

Your wedding is over; you’ve tied up your registry loose ends and have a house full of awesome gifts given to you by the people you care about. Enjoy married life and keep these registry tips and tricks in mind when it is time for a Baby Shower.