Thank you all for the grea advice! It was also nice to get advice from the menfolks

I already knew it's horribel to put it in the wedding invites, so don't worry about that. I do like the idea of a couple's shower. My fiance and I are a little untraditional in some reguards (He wants his bachelor party to be at an arcade, the nerd!) so i think the couple's shower would be fun.
And no, I would nver put overpriced crap in a registry. I'm registering at Target and Walmart. I don't see the point in having a huge china and silverware service (what the **** would I do with a gravy boat?) or other superfluous things of that nature. I guess I'm low maintenence.
One thing I will NOT be doing at my wedding is doing that weird thing where people pay money to dance with the bride. You know, where they pay for the "priviledge" of dancing with her so she and the groom and can have cash for the honeymoon? I saw that done at a wedding and thought it was teh tackiest thing I'd ever seen! My wedding guests are exactly that --guests-- and it is my honor to have them there sharing that money with us.
Anyway, bless you all for the wonderful advice! I think I'll just stick with word of mouth

although obviously I wouldn't be hurt at all if some people didn't bring gifts. I'll be thrilled to see them no matter what!