Register Early (because this doesn't happen often)

Once you're engaged you might feel an overwhelming sense of 'There is so much to do!' It's fun and exciting but can also be overwhelming and stressful. Take some time out of the busyness of it all and have a date with your fiance. Go out to eat and then go shopping. Wait, you don't have to buy anything. Instead, get a nifty little scanner and make a wish list.

I recommend starting your registry early on. There are going to be a lot of people who want to congratulate you by sending a gift, and they really want to send something you'd like. However, you don't have to register for everything at once. You're going to want to take some time to decide how you and your fiance are going to meld your styles. What type of place are you going to be living in? And, what are you going to need for the long-run?

That last one is something important to consider. You may be tempted to register for the here and now. But, keep in mind that this is one of the only times in life you're going to have this opportunity. You may not be planning on having the whole family over for the holidays anytime soon. However, several years down the line you're not going to want to have to go out and purchase a ton of stuff to host a meal.

Another important thing to keep in mind--neutral colors. That bright orange KitchenAid might look pretty snazzy now, but what about when you redecorate? When it comes to things that are going to last years and years, go with colors that can fit any design scheme. Add a splash of fun with accent pieces or things that are easy to replace--towels, decor items, placemats...

All in all, have fun! That's what this is really all about. And remember, it's not all about the gifts. Besides, who needs gifts when you just hooked the best fiance around!?

If you want to read more registry tips, check out this recent Today Show segment: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/20377925/.