• April 17, 2012

New research on the bridal market reports that while today’s young brides may wield their app-laden smartphones with skill and style, they still wish the process of registering for gifts were less stressful and more straightforward. The NPD Group reports that 6 in 10 brides-to-be and newlyweds it surveyed are either registered or plan to do so, with first-time brides more likely to sign up than “encore” brides.

And while most think it will be fun (81%), only 41% believe it will make wedding planning any easier, and 53% say it’s actually stressful. While they consider many factors, an easy-to-use Web site is given high priority (83%), as is an easy registration process (79%), and a simple return/exchange process (76%).

Brides are choosing an average of three stores, including mass/discount, department, and home improvement retailers. Universal registries are gaining in popularity, and chosen by about 25% of brides. According to the Port Washington, N.Y.-based market researcher.