Karaline Loiterton

Managing Director, Wedding List Co

Karaline Loiterton created Wedding List Co in 2003 following a less than inspiring experience with a department store registry. “We were handed a clip board and sent off to write down 13 digit barcodes. With each new department we had to find a new member of staff to help us with any questions,” says Karaline.

Karaline, who has a Business Degree in Marketing and Finance, started her professional life as a Fashion Office Assistant at Vogue Australia. She quickly realised her calling was in the marketing arena. After two years as Product Manager with Yardley Australia, she moved to London with the L’Oreal Luxury Group where she held marketing positions on Helena Rubinstein and Lancôme. When she left London, she was the Marketing Director of Clinique for the Estée Lauder Group.

The idea for Wedding List Co rose from conversations with friends. She was taken aback by how many had similarly nightmarish experiences with the wedding registry process. “Many friends commented that it was the least fun thing about their wedding. It should be one of the best! You should feel like a child again and all your Christmases have come at once,” says Karaline.

Identifying a clear gap in the market for a service driven alternative, Karaline subsequently wrote Wedding List Co’s business plan while still in London and continued to research the market and brands on return to Australia. “Before investing my hard earned savings, I conducted focus groups with married woman and brides and refined the offering for the Australian market. I then spent six months researching the brands, finding the first store location, and building the website,” says Karaline.

“Wedding List Co launched in June 2003 and we haven’t looked back since,” says Karaline. The business has literally flowed in from couples who were desperate for an alternative to the department stores registries; many had heard the horror stories from friends and family. “We have organised registries for thousands of happy couples – a small selection of whom you can see testimonials from on our website,” says Karaline.

Wedding List Co now has stores in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane.  They undertake over 1000 registries a year and deliver more than 50,000 gifts around Australia and overseas. They have gained considerable market share from the two major department stores and their major source of business is referrals from previous customers which is a fantastic indication of the high level of service. They offer over 200 brands and 8000 gifts and have exclusive rights to Coco Republic furniture, Christofle, Missoni Home and many other high end brands, as well as a Contribution & Honeymoon Registry.™

In December 2010 they opened their flagship store in Woollahra Sydney where couples can experience the latest in design and technology when choosing their wedding gifts. The store offers the largest range of gifts and gadgets any stylish newlyweds could hope for all set in a stylish mini department store and was a finalist in the Retail World Awards 2011 against Myer Bourke St Department Store.

“Everything we do is about making the process easier and fun for the couple when choosing their registry,” says Karaline Loiterton, founder of the business. “From the free bubbly when couples choose their gifts with the help of their personal consultant in store, to the huge range of gifts. It only made sense to launch a store that allows customers who are not necessarily getting married to enjoy this service too in an exciting and interactive space.”

In 2011 they launched www.w-gifts.com.au  - a fabulous new site that allows a fast and beautifully packed gifting service for any occasion. Be it a stylish gift for yourself, or an occasion such as birthday, engagement or kitchen tea. Exclusive products including Missoni Home, Seletti, Dwell Studios, Have you met Miss Jones, Vera Wang and more are available on-line to purchase. W-gifts with Style.