1. Enter their registry from ground up using the matrimony.com WWW "manual" interface.
2. Enter their registry from ground up using the matrimony.com Bridal Consultant Wizard.
3. Transfer/Copy their registry from an existing source (i.e. Macy's registry)

Option #1 is designed for couples that are very internet savvy and are not registered elsewhere. Couples essentially select items from the matrimony.com part master. The part master is displayed on the WWW in a user friendly hierarchical manner (categories such as: appliances, bedding, etc). Couples can "drill down" and view detailed information on the product (manufacturer, size, color, model number, etc).
The Bridal Consultant Wizard ™ is designed for those couples that are not registered elsewhere and are either short on time or are less familiar with the internet. The wizard adds automation to the registration process by starting with a matrimony.com "template" and then walking the couple through modifications to that template. The wizard helps brides and grooms select items by noting which items have been popular in recent months (high volume items), etc.
The last option for updating a registry is to transfer/copy a registry from an existing source. This option is targeted at couples who have already registered at another bridal registry. We feel this option has a high probability of being the most popular option as a) many couples will want to physically see items before they register and b) most couples will probably (at least initially) want to register at a traditional registry as well as matrimony.com.
To facilitate this transfer of information, we have three strategies. The first is to create and publicize an industry standard file format to exchange registry information in an efficient manner. This format is called ROEF - Registry Open Exchange Format. While at first we don't believe other firms would be interested in exchanging registry information in this manner, we believe that in the future we could create an incentive (commission fee - similar to amazon.com's associates program) to encourage the sharing of information. Our second plan involves electronically "copying" a couple's registry from a web page run by another registry. This option has some potential legal and technical challenges that would need to be addressed. Lastly, we could have the bride and groom send matrimony.com a hard copy of their registry (already entered at say the Bon) and we would then re-enter that registry manually into matrimony.com.

Bride & Groom Registration Management
Once the bride and groom have established their registry by any of the above methods, it will be saved on the matrimony.com database for two years. The bride and groom are given a unique user ID and password which allow them to make subsequent changes and inquiries on their registry. If for some reason a product on a couple's registry becomes obsolete or non-orderable, matrimony.com will automatically send the bride/groom an email notifying them of that fact and suggest a replacement item.
A couple can request that gifts purchased by guests be "pre-viewed". This option allows couples to see gifts that have been purchased before they are shipped. The idea behind this option is to allow a couple to electronically exchange an unwanted gift for something else before the unwanted gift is returned. For example, say a guest purchases a couple a one wine goblet - out of a set of 12. However, it turns out that this goblet is the only one in the set that has been purchased. When the couple sees the single wine goblet in the preview function they would re-allocate the funds associated with the goblet to another item that is more desired.
Another option that will be available to couples is the HDP (Help on Down Payment) feature. If activated, this feature will allow guests to give a cash contribution toward a couple's down payment on a home. Couples could also reallocate funds to this option during the "pre-view" function described above.
The bride & groom wedding management system will also produce several reports tailored to help the bride and groom. One such report is the TYT (Thank You Tracker) report. This report allows brides and grooms to keep track of who has purchased a gift and whether they have sent a thank you. Another report indicates items that have been purchased or are in transit (including estimated shipment dates).

Guest Gift Selection & Purchase
Once a bride & groom have registered, guests can purchase gifts. Guests go to the matrimony.com home page and locate their wedding party by using either the bride or grooms name. Once they have located their party they have several options to locate a gift for purchase.

1. Search by hierarchical categories
2. Search by a price range
3. Search for the most popular items (based on volume)

Due to the demographics of potential wedding guests (see Market Research-Target Customers), we feel that we will need to provide a secondary non-internet method for selecting and purchasing gifts. To facilitate non-internet gift selection and purchase, we would investigate having a "call-in" service or look into the possibility of sending out a registry listing and order form by snail mail.
Once the guests have identified the gift they want to purchase, they will walk through a wizard, which helps them decide on various shipping, packaging and card text options. If the wedding couple had decided to "preview" gifts, a carefully worded notice will pop up and notify guests of the fact that the couple is previewing.
Finally, guests purchase gifts using a credit card. In general, the credit card number will be transmitted over the internet. However, for guests that are concerned regarding security, we will provide a service similar to Amazon.com's where guests can call a human being on the phone and give their credit card in that manner.