Technology Makes Great Bridal Gift

The age of technology has moved beyond the classroom and business world into the life of newlyweds. Today's young people have grown up with technology at their fingertips and they expect nothing less as they head into married life. Brides and grooms are now listing many technology-oriented gifts on their bridal registry, right next to more traditional appliances and tableware.

"New technology is a great option when choosing a wedding gift," said Laurie Bauer, spokesperson for Best Buy, North America's number one specialty retailer of consumer electronics, personal computers, entertainment software and appliances. "Today's newlyweds have grown up surrounded by high-tech gadgets, so it's nice for them to be able to head into married life with the same conveniences. The wide range of technology products available save time and make life more fun."

When shopping for a friend's wedding present, consider some of these high-tech gifts:

-- Help the new couple stay connected with a two-way e-mail pager/cellular phone from Voicestream. The newlyweds will be able to reach each other 24 hours a day, without the hassle of searching for a pay phone.

-- Pictures are worth a thousand words and weddings are a very special event. Consider helping friends document the special day with a digital camera. With no film to develop, digital cameras are easy and convenient to use, making it possible to share photos with friends and family around the world in seconds via e-mail. There are more than 35 models of digital cameras, ranging in price from $199 to $1,499.

-- Today's world is a busy place, but a DVD/TV combo is a gift that allows new couples to spend time together while watching a movie or their favorite TV shows. DVDs provide digital picture and sound, thus making the home viewing experience more like that of a theater. Help the newlyweds relax together with this great gift starting as low as $279.

-- Consider further enhancing the couple's television watching with a flat-panel television. A gift that frees up space yet retains all the qualities of a regular television, the flat-panel television is a great choice to end the ongoing complaint of not having enough space. Models are priced from $279 to $6,999.

-- Assuming that other guests are also thinking along the technology lines, a universal touch screen remote is a great way to cut down the clutter of remotes throughout the house. With preprogrammed codes for audiovisual gear, it allows the user to replace several remotes with one compact unit. The remote contains programmable macros that allow it to grow with the home entertainment system. The RCA touch screen universal remote retails for $99.

-- Finally, for the kid in everyone, give the gift of gaming with the new Microsoft XBox or Nintendo GameCube. The ultimate in gaming, these new systems have state-of-the-art graphics and sound. Xbox and GameCube sell for $299 and $199 respectively.

If none of these gifts seems just right, then there is always the option of a gift card, allowing the happy couple to choose their own gifts. Best Buy offers gift cards in six denominations from $15 to $100.

For more information to help make wedding shopping even easier, visit Best Buy's web site at www.BestBuy.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content