Setting up a wedding registry is often the last thing on couples’ minds while they’re planning their weddings. After all, who has time to put together an entire registry when there are so many other wedding planning tasks to do? Luckily, several wedding websites have made the process of creating a registry simple, fast, and stress free.
The two most common websites couples use to set up their gift registries are Zola and The Knot. Each of these websites has its own advantages and disadvantages that may fit better with your personal needs. In this article, we’ll examine Zola versus The Knot to help you decide which wedding registry is better for you and your partner. Some of the specific difference we’ll cover include:
- Zola
- Free shipping and returns
- Worry-free exchanges
- 20 percent off post-wedding purchases
- The Knot
- Gift trackers
- Registry store
- Professional wedding website designs and cash funds
Let’s get started!
Zola
Zola has been a successful, trusted wedding resource website for newly engaged couples since 2013. Packed with customizable features to build wedding websites, registries, and invitations, Zola is an ideal resource for couples who enjoy a personalized user experience. Compared to other bridal resource websites, Zola uses a variety of questionnaires and surveys to tailor its algorithm to better fit couples’ needs.
For example, when setting up wedding registries on Zola, couples must fill out a questionnaire that asks them to clarify their preferred gifts, their mutual interests, and current stress levels. Once they complete this survey, Zola automatically pulls information and features to make their user experience convenient and valuable.
Couples that use Zola for their registries may also enjoy three main benefits. Check out these exclusive features below.
Free Shipping and Returns
Let’s face it: not all wedding gifts are winners. Sometimes, guests completely miss the mark, and other times, duplicate gifts happen. The last thing newlywed couples should have to worry about in their first few weeks of marriage is returning unwanted wedding gifts back to stores. These returns often take time, and couples can ultimately spend a large chunk of change shipping gifts back to stores.
Zola solves this hassle by offering free shipping and returns on all wedding registry gifts. Simply log into your Zola account, click an item on your registry, and select the return option to begin the process of printing your free shipping label. Couples can save a significant amount of time using this stress-free feature, and no extra cost is added to their budgets.
Worry-Free Exchanges
Many couples receive gifts that they’d prefer to exchange for different models. To avoid added hassle and stress, most newly married couples either return these gifts entirely or just try to make them work. Zola makes the process of exchanging wedding registry gifts much simpler and more convenient. Regardless of where guests bought an item, Zola uses its database to find the best exchange.
20 Percent Off Post-Wedding Purchases
If you’re worried about your post-wedding budget, consider taking advantage of Zola’s 20-percent-off post-wedding discount. After your wedding, Zola automatically applies a 20 percent discount to all items remaining on your registry for up to six months. So whether you have a large purchase in mind or run out of everyday household supplies, Zola will ensure you get the best price for these purchases.
The Knot
Now that we’ve examined some of the best features Zola has to offer, let’s see how The Knot’s registry compares.
First founded in 1996, The Knot is one of the largest bridal resource websites that couples use today. With so many user-friendly website features, it’s no surprise why so many engaged partners flock to The Knot.
Compared to Zola, The Knot does not require users to take as many questionnaires and surveys to customize their website experiences. Some couples prefer this approach because it’s less overwhelming. Here are some of the best features couples can enjoy when using The Knot for their wedding registries.
Gift Trackers
Gift tracking is a popular feature on both Zola and The Knot’s websites; however, The Knot’s version of this feature is much more detailed and user friendly. Couples can choose to receive notifications when someone purchases a new item on their registry and track the shipping of this purchase in real time. Simply log into your account, click on your registry, and select the “see tracking” option next to purchased items. With a few simple clicks, couples can have peace of mind knowing when their registry items will arrive.
Registry Store
One of the best advantages of using The Knot for your wedding registry is access to The Knot’s expansive registry store. The Knot’s registry store is the perfect resource for couples that aren’t sure what types of items to include on their gift lists. The Knot makes browsing through this online catalog simple and straightforward. Couples can shop by category or browse for items by clicking on a partner store. Regardless of how you shop, The Knot makes the process of building a registry hassle free.
Professional Wedding Website Designs and Cash Funds
Since many couples live together before tying the knot, the need for household appliances and home goods is less urgent than it was in the past. In fact, many couples prefer to opt for fund-based registries rather than lists of traditional gifts. Cash funds are ideal for collecting money for a future mortgage, honeymoon, or other investment.
Both Zola and The Knot offer features to help users create wedding websites for their cash funds; however, The Knot proves to be a better option. The Knot has a more extensive selection of professional website designs to choose from, and setting up a cash fund registry through this website is also considerably more user friendly. If you and your partner prefer to have a cash fund for your wedding registry, then The Knot will be the better option.
Takeaway
Both of these bridal resource websites are highly dependable and useful. Utilizing either of these websites will start off your wedding planning on the right foot and make the process of building your registry simple. When you’re deciding which wedding registry is better, remember these key features for Zola versus The Knot.
For more wedding planning advice, tips, tricks, and expertise, browse Everyday Bride’s website to learn more about how to make your wedding planning process more enjoyable.
