Delivery of all gifts is free within Greater London one bride questioned chose GTC specifically because it can arrange delivery abroad

Delivery of all gifts is free within Greater London; one bride questioned chose GTC specifically because it can arrange delivery abroad. The list remains open for three years after the wedding - so useful for anniversaries and birthdays.FURTHER INFORMATIONSee the telephone directory for details of John Lewis stores nationwide; for your nearest Habitat store call 0645 334433; The Gift List Co, tel 0181 342 8211; Harrods' Bridal Registry, tel 0171 225 6500; Marks & Spencer Wedding Bureau, tel 01925 858502; General Trading Company, tel 0171 730 0411 !. All this makes their wedding list service de rigueur with both Sloanes and style slaves, who value the very personal service above the prices, which are always on the luxury side of reasonable. A folder stuffed with GTC's mail order and other brochures, plus a helpful checklist of gift suggestions for the bridesmaids etc starts the bride off; advice on all aspects of wedding planning is also given discreet mention. I was seen immediately by a nice, mumsy woman who cleared a stack of papers off a chair for me to sit on, gave me a free catalogue and other (strictly M&S) offers including "exclusive" wedding rings.

You can even register by phone, but however you do it you'll be issued with a secret password; a measure apparently introduced to forestall the jealous pranks of former lovers. Interestingly, the wedding stationery ranges from conservative to very contemporary - and they turned out to be some of the best we've seen. Gift wrapping is available at pounds 2.50 per item.***GENERAL TRADING COMPANYFree service and free delivery within Greater LondonYou would be hard pressed to find anything tasteless in this exclusive, family-run emporium located in three converted Georgian houses just off Sloane Square. The china department has wacky as well as classical designs; the textiles have a strong oriental slant; there is a whole floor of antiques, and most furniture that isn't period has been cunningly distressed.

Not without a sense of humour, GTC is particularly big on horticultural themes - even the rubber glovers have fruit and veg on the cuffs - in a way which implies that a conservatory is a minimum requirement for summer entertaining. And they wouldn't let us put clothes or non- household items on the list - I think they found the idea unimaginable." Registration is a no-fuss, no-thrills affair. Notwithstanding the photographic realism and stress-free armchair shopping, selecting goods in 2-D is a risky business. One interviewee commented, "They have Provencal-style ceramics, but they are too smooth, too neat M&S is so safe.

As Harrods offers no storage facility, there are only two options: to have the gifts delivered as they are bought, or to take out a white plastic bridal registry card, which functions as a credit card for the account into which guests have been pouring funds. They may have had toasters and towels in mind, but as no check is kept on how you spend the money at the close of the list, you can quietly blow the money on a whole new wardrobe of designer clothes.**MARKS & SPENCERFree service, individual deliveries pounds 3.50Given the limited floor space devoted to homewares in most M&S stores, users of the service are directed to the 100 "Wedding List stores" where most furniture, linens, dinner services, cutlery and glass is on show. Alternatively they can make choices from a catalogue featuring room sets under quaint design headings such as "country charm" and "freshness in floral". The introductory folder is stuffed with offers: Lancome invites the blushing bride to a free make- up session; Harrods' photographic studio invites the loving couple to a free portrait sitting, with complimentary photographs of the engagement ring - so useful for insurance claims.