Wedding season always brings one question to the forefront: Is it ever OK to buy a wedding gift that isn’t on the registry?

As your Gift Gals at Barefoot Stitches & Gifts, we hear this question all the time. While we always respect a couple’s carefully chosen registry, we also enjoy helping shoppers who prefer to support local businesses, add a personal touch or, as some jokingly call themselves, become “registry rebels.”

Today’s wedding registries are typically created online through large retailers, making gift-giving simple and convenient. Some even include honeymoon funds, pet expenses or contributions toward a down payment on a home.

So, is it acceptable to shop off the registry? The answer is yes — with thoughtful consideration.

A registry is designed to make gift-giving easier for everyone. It reflects the couple’s needs, style and often the look they hope to create in their new home. Starting there is always good etiquette.

But there are times when a carefully chosen gift outside the registry can be just as meaningful. The key is selecting something that reflects the couple rather than simply choosing an item to match a price point.

Although Barefoot Stitches & Gifts doesn’t offer an online registry, we’re happy to create a curated in-store collection selected by the couple so friends and family can shop locally while still honoring their wishes.

Some of our favorite off-registry gifts are practical pieces the couple may not have considered. Embroidered guest towels, monogrammed cocktail napkins, elegant picture frames for wedding photos, salt and pepper mills, rechargeable accent lamps, decorative clocks and locally crafted personalized charcuterie boards are all gifts that combine beauty with everyday use.

If you decide to go off the registry, do it with intention. A thoughtful, personal gift often becomes one of the most treasured because it reflects the care that went into choosing it.

That’s what the Dear Gift Gals column is all about — taking the guesswork out of gifting and replacing it with confidence, thoughtfulness and a personal touch. Whether you shop directly from the registry or choose something more unexpected, the goal is the same: to celebrate the couple with a gift they’ll enjoy for years to come.

Have a gifting question you’d like us to answer? We’d love to hear from you. Send your ideas and questions to info@lebobeat.com.