This startup is reinventing wedding registries so that they make more sense for couples and guests
The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.
$1Zola
Instead of blissfully planning the happiest day of their lives, most couples are scrambling to find an affordable DJ and figure out where to place that polarizing aunt on the seating chart. The last thing they (or their guests) should worry about the gift registry.
Anyone who has ever created or purchased something off a gift registry knows how frustrating and time-consuming the process can be, which is what inspired Zola CEO and co-founder Shan-Lyn Ma to find an easier alternative.
"Shopping my friends' traditional registries at department stores was a big wake-up call," Ma told Business Insider. "The user experience was ugly, the product selection did not reflect my friends’ personalities, and the registries barely worked on mobile devices."
In 2013, Ma and her two former colleagues, Nobu Nakaguchi and Kevin Ryan, joined together to make creating a registry and adding everything you want to it easier and more efficient.
Once a couple creates a Zola account, they can add tons of products and services to a single, easy-to-use page. Zola is not a gift aggregator: The site's merchandising team works with over 450 brands to find the best presents for your future. With over 40,000 products to choose from, couples have the power to create a registry that best reflects their needs and lifestyle, whether it's full of home goods, electronics, camping equipment, or a little bit of everything.
Unlike traditional registry services, which only offer products, Zola also allows you to ask for cash and experiences.
"Engaged couples have changed a lot," said Ma. "The average age of marriage is higher, and the average couple lives together before marriage and wants to do things not found in a traditional department store."
Boasting partnerships with brands like SoulCycle, Blue Apron, and Airbnb, Zola has services for wedding prep, the honeymoon, and life as a married couple. In 2016, added its "For the Wedding" tab so guests can help pay for items like wedding bands and party favors.
In addition to registering for presents they actually want, couples can easily transfer money into their bank accounts or exchange items. For any couples who are moving apartments or want to wait to receive their presents, Zola will hold all packages until they're ready.
Whether you are in the midst of planning your wedding or have yet to find "the one," Zola is one wedding service to keep on your radar.