Creating your wedding gift list is one of the highlights of the wedding planning process. Linda Butler, managing director of Wedding List UK, offers some useful advice on how to compile a gift list to ensure that you'll only get gifts that you really want.

"Creating a wedding list can be, and is, a very enjoyable experience," says Linda. "How often do you get the chance to choose so many beautiful and wanted gifts? It means you avoid being given four toasters, and friends and family can relax knowing they are giving a much-wanted gift that will be cherished. It takes the strain out of the task, giving you and your guests a variety of choices.

"You can choose your gifts from the comfort of your own home if desired. It makes it easy for your guests too, offering the option of purchasing online, by telephone or in person. My list of dos and don'ts will hopefully help you make the whole process run smoothly and you can go on to live happily aver after."

DO

• Make sure you start your list well before the wedding.
• Allow at least three months before the day.
• Take time and enjoy compiling your list.
• Consider using an independent wedding list company. Its personal bridal consultants have a wealth of experience to help you compile your list. This will give you a greater flexibility and the opportunity to have less traditional gifts on your list. You could have a balloon ride or a piece of artwork from your favourite artist.
• Have a wide range of prices on your list to suit the different budgets of your guests.
• Have a list with plenty of choice - include two to three items for every guest.
• Visit your list on a regular basis and make additional entries if it is getting low.
• Consider including a wedding photo with your thankyou card. Mention the gift by name with your thanks.

DON'T

• Pass up the chance to have a wedding gift list - guests want to give and lists offer them many different ways, making it easy, quick and convenient. It means you get the things that you really want.
• Forget to include the groom in preparing the list - he may wish to ask for electrical tools.
• Operate several lists at once. It confuses guests and can be difficult to manage.
• Forget to put your wedding list details in with the wedding invitations.
• Overlook asking about discounts on remaining items you may want to purchase yourselves.

For more information about Wedding List UK and wedding gift lists, visit www.weddinglistuk.co.uk.

The article Compiling a gift list originally appeared on 999 Today