Luckily for modern brides, the days of smiling graciously as you unwrap more candlestick holders and silver frames than you know what to do with are long gone. By setting up a bridal registry, brides and grooms can specify their needs, which saves guests time when shopping for a gift and themselves the hassle of searching frantically for that cat-shaped vase every time Aunt Francine comes for dinner.

Bridal registries are convenient in other ways, too. Many offer shipping options, and guests can check to see which items have already been purchased (thus avoiding duplication). Some provide a handy summary of gifts to help the bride and groom with thank-you notes.

Given the many advantages of bridal registries, the question facing most brides is not whether they should register - but where?

CONTEMPORARY CONVENIENCE
One of the most popular choices for bridal registries is Wal- Mart, the world's largest retailer. Wal-Mart's 2,870 stores in the United States register more than 320,000 brides each year.

"I think many brides register at Wal-Mart because we are known for everyday low prices, and that's especially important in today's economy," says Jacque Blankenship, corporate marketing manager for Wal-Mart. "Additionally, we have stores located across the U.S. and we offer online registry, which is very convenient for both brides and their guests."

According to Blankenship, there are a few staples that top many brides' wish lists, including grills, particularly the popular George Foreman line; baking essentials such as muffin pans and rolling pins; and towels. Stainless-steel kitchen items have also recently gained popularity.

Another retailer commonly chosen for bridal registries is Crate and Barrel, where more than 100,000 brides register annually in its 117 stores nationwide. Additionally, Crate and Barrel's online registry not only allows brides to update their wish lists and monitor what's been purchased, it provides advice geared to help modern couples navigate the world of bone china and sterling silver.

"The online registry is a great resource because most brides register six or seven months before the wedding, but half of all gifts are purchased in the final month," says Kathy Paddor, director of marketing for Crate and Barrel. "We encourage brides to get online and update their wish list about five weeks before the wedding to ensure there is still a wide selection for guests to choose from."

At Crate and Barrel, tabletop items such as dinnerware, flatware and glassware top most registry lists, followed closely by bar items such as wine racks, ice buckets and bartending gear.

If the prospect of picking out cookware and linens isn't enough to pry your husband-to-be away from his remote control, try rounding out your registry list with a trip to the Home Depot, Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse or one of the many other hardware stores that offer bridal registry services. In addition to traditional items such as power tools and paint samples, hardware stores often carry potted plants, appliances and other items in which both the bride and groom will be interested.

POWER OF LOVE
Although receiving a truckload of gifts has become as much a part of the wedding tradition as tossing the bouquet, the wide world of bridal registries also offers options for those who feel it is better to give than to receive. Registering for a charity allows couples to use their guests' generosity toward a more noble cause.

Many philanthropic couples contact their charity of choice directly to make arrangements and then include an insert with the wedding invitations requesting guests to forgo gifts in lieu of donations. For those who want to donate to a variety of charities, or who want to combine charitable giving with traditional receiving, Web sites such as Felicite (www.felicite.com) offer combination packages. At Felicite, brides can create wish lists that combine traditional gifts with a choice of charity organizations from a list that includes the American Heart Association, the Wilderness Society, the March of Dimes and many more.

In addition to traditional gifts and charities, many Web sites also offer honeymoon registries. Whether you plan to spend your honeymoon sipping margaritas on a Caribbean cruise or getting up close and personal with lions in the Serengeti, these registries allow guests to either directly contribute to costs, such as airfare and hotels, or supplement your trip with extras like massages, romantic dinners or sightseeing tours. Many travel agents now offer bridal registry services, and online sites such as MoonRings (www.moonrings.com) specialize in creating custom romantic honeymoons that can be arranged as bridal registries.