Register. But personally, I think it’s rude to EXPECT gifts. Why would one be obligated to purchase you a gift just because you are getting married?

I would let them know where you are registered and give them an address and let them figure out the rest.
Do not say much more than that.

It is rude if you want my opinion

I wouldnt expect presents from anyone to be honest…

By having your wedding there you should not exspect people to send gifts, since they won’t be able to attend. But some will want to send gifts anyway. Tell them how to send gifts “if they choose to send gifts.”

Wal-mart will let you register online. Most other large chain stores will let you register online as well. (Target etc…)

If they really want to know, they’ll ask (via email or phone). Telling them first hand is like obligating or expecting them to buy gifts when they shouldn’t have to.Honestly, I would find that tacky.

It would be terrible to solicit gifts. If they want to send you something, ask them to send money. But rememeber - ONLy if they WANT to.

The rule is if they don’t attend or won’t attend, they don’t and won’t need to give you a gift.

It would be rude to expect gifts at all.
No one owes you anything just because you are getting married.

Bit rude to expect gifts but hey, hopefully you’ll only do this once so might as well milk it for all its worth…
Why not just go all out and ask for money?

Of course it would be rude to “expect” a “gift” from anyone. Social norms for weddings in the US dictate that if one is invited to the wedding and the reception, then one is obligated to send a gift. Correctly, gifts should be sent to the home of the bride prior to the wedding itself, not taken to the wedding reception.

A wedding announcement, however, is specifically not an invitation to the wedding and there is no obligation for the recipient to gift the newlyweds, though some will of course wish to do so. To specifically tell your announcement recipients where to send a gift would be exceedingly rude. You should, of course, send your announcement with what will be your current return address. You might also want to word your announcement with an “at home” address included - something like “Bill and Cathy will be at home at blah, blah, blah following their honeymoon” - as a last line.

By the way, it would also be quite rude to send invitations rather than announcements just to get gifts.

You left a couple of things out; are you going to be living in HK or back in the US? I assume, if you want the gifts sent to Asia that you’ll be staying there, and I’ll tell you, the cost of shipping is more than most people will spend for a gift. So….if my asumption is correct, I’d not register anywhere, and hope people have good common sense and give you money.
To “EXPECT” gifts(as long as you keep your mouth shut), is not rude, but it isn’t very bright. You’ll certainly receive less with this out of the country wedding. However, if you are planning to return to the USA in a reasonable period of time, you might consider a reception upon your return and get the loot then.

It is rude to even mention gifts in a wedding invitation or announcement.

It is rude to mention where you are registered unless someone asks.

The purpose of an invitation is to invite people to celebrate and rejoice with you. Not to shill for presents.

(The purpose of family and friends, on the other hand, is to freely pass the info to anyone who even looks like they might want to send a gift.)