What did you put on your registries?

Question

What stores did you register with? What items did you select?

For me, it feels so weird creating a registry, and I'm finding it very difficult mentally - lol - it feels like it's asking/expecting people to buy us stuff. But a lot of people want to know where we're registered, so I'm starting to feel like I should.

I think it would be helpful to me to see what other people have done.

I don't go shopping very often (we've been mostly saving money for our wedding), so I think part of it is that I'm shocked at how much everything costs. I had no idea comforters cost over $100, or that place settings were that expensive as well. All of this just seems so foreign to me.

Did you just pick one store and selected what you liked best from that store, or did you make several registries after shopping around for the best prices and finding the things you liked most?

Any help, advice, or encouragement would be greatly appreciated?

I feel like the opposite of a bridezilla - a wedding wimp

Wow! Thank you everyone who has responded already. I'm looking at several stores that you have mentioned on-line right now - and taking notes - lol.

Aunt Nini - Sure, I'd love to take a look at your registry, if you wouldn't mind.

I've been told that this is the time to ask for some fine china. So, I thought sure... and then I saw the prices. *faint* lol

Answer 1

My registry consisted of everything for home. Did the Fine China thing - only got two place settings. But you can add everyday china as well to keep the cost down. Towels, sheet sets, comforter sets, place mats, kitchen utensils, kitchen ware, whatever you like. Don't be afraid to register for big ticket items though - becuase these would make great group gifts.

I think its best to register in one place that is available to most of your guests. IE - small town with no mall WalMart would be your best bet. I think its tacky to register in more that two places though. Ideal would be a department store and then a superstore for those that are looking to spend less money.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

I hear you. We had a hard time registering as well.
But a registry makes good sense because then guests know that they are not duplicating gifts and also not buying you things that you won't like or don't need, etc. It helps them. I made a point to let our key people know that no one needed to feel obligated to get us a gift or even buy off the registry. We also registered for items in a wide range of prices. ($5 to $400) We invited a little over 100 people.
We registered with Linens 'n Things, Crate 'n Barrel, and Sears. Fortunately, we both have fine china sets. I inherited a set that I love. My husband had a set that his parents bought him over the years. So far, we have not used the set that I have. We rarely use the set that he has. I would skip it unless you do a lot of entertaining or plan on entertaining at least once or twice a year.

Answer 3

You can register at a couple stores, but it helps to divide what you are registering for at each store. like do ALL your china at one store, linens at one, etc. I wouldn't do more than 2 or 3 stores though. 1 if you can in best unless you absolutly love china that is at one store, and everything else is at another. Macy's is a good place to register and so is Bed Bath and Beyond and so is Target. Macy's offers a discount on things that your guests don't buy so you can buy it, and Bed Bath and Beyond lets your registry act as a cash receipt which is great if you some how get two of the same thing or just decide you no longer want that piece you picked out.

Register for a variety of price ranges. Don't worry about the price on things. People will buy what they are comforable buying, and some people like to go in on a expensive gift with someone else or a group of peopole, so don't worry about the prices on things you would like. As long as you have something for each price range, you will be fine.

Answer 4

We picked a place that was not only affordable, but had almost everything we were looking for...(don't laugh)...Target. We registered for our dishes separately on Pfaltzgraff.com. I knew my family couldn't afford really expensive things, and I thought that Target would be the most accessible and affordable place that had everything I was looking for.

We had some things (we were living together for 2 years prior to the wedding) but, we registered for a vacuum, some pots, various kitchen utencils, small appliances, all our dishes (reaonably priced, not china - I'm klutz), bed sheets, a feather blanket, bath towels and a cabinet to hold our DVDs (which was the most expensive thing on the list and someone actually bought it).

Try to register for more of what you need than what you want. Register for lower priced as well as expensive items (people can go in on a big item together). That way everyone will get a chance to buy you something you need and not break the bank doing so.

Answer 5

Advice: Choose no more than 3 stores u actually shopped at b4. That way u know the price range and stock. Chose 2 low price shops and myabe 1 high. Last year we registered at Wal-mart, Pottery Barn, and Home Depot. Something a little different but very -Us. Click away on what u need inside and outside the home 1st, and then on what u want. Do consider various price ranges like under $10 and up to $100 (or more depending on your circle). Shop by major rooms in your home or future home. Kitchen, living room, bedroom, and bathroom(s). Patio or porch. Ask fiancee what he likes or needs too to help with the frustration of it all. If u can do it all in 1 night great, so u can move on. U can always add later when things pop in ur mind, and they will. Good luck and congrats.

Answer 6

I registered at Bed Bath & Beyond only they had everything there that I needed. I didn't do the fine china thing b/c I saw my sister and how much she spent on all of her's and she's only used it twice, I think it's a waste of money. You sound like a simple person like me. If you would like to check out my registry go to BB&B website and type in Serena Barrick and you can pull mine up to get ideas. also it all depends on what you guys already have toghther, like you might already have nice pots and pans or a silverware set. Everyone is so different. What I did was go around my house and look through every thing and find out what I need new of and what I would like to have. this is your time to get everything you have ever wanted. =) It's fun.
I think it was more fun for me then my hubby LOL.
Oh and I would also go on there after we registered in the store and look on the website and find more stuff to put on there and I even took some stuff off.

Answer 7

I am getting married on Sept 21 st. I just went and registered myself. I went to 2 places. Walmart and Target. Both have online registry. It is weird to "ask " for certain gifts. I tried to pick different things for both stores. I also tried to keep things as inexpensive as I could. The idea of the $100 comforter set shocked me as well. It was fun and it gave my mom and I a wonderful day together. Everything I have either is hand me down or I bought it at a Dollar store. Don't get me wrong, I WAS very grateful for the hand me down stuff I had, but it's nice to have new. Mostly I asked for kitchen gadgets, pots/pans, rugs, towels, small appliances (mixer, fryer etc), then I went to the bathroom and asked for towels, toothbrush holders, soap dish shower curtain, etc. The I picked one comforter set with sheets. Oh and some small lamps for living room. If yer interested you could look at my registry. Let me know

Answer 8

I registered at both Target and Bed Bath and Beyond. I registed for most of my items at Target. Make a list of things that you would like and or need (coffee pot, place settings, silverwear) and then add a few items that you just want to have. We even registered for a new DVD player, vaccume cleaner and new phones for the house. Remember some of the items will not be purchased but that is what the gift cards are for.

Answer 9

Registries are a blessing for you and for those shopping for gifts for you. You don't have to worry about getting duplicate gifts, wrong colors, etc..... You get exactly what you need to set up your new home! Guests can pick a price point that they are comfortable with and you will not be spending weeks returning and exchanging gifts. Choose one or two stores that you like to register at.

Answer 10

People appreciate registries. They won't know what color scheme your house is or what size sheets you need unless you tell them. My coworker always talks about how when she got married, wedding registries weren't common, so you just ended up with whatever people wanted to give you. She got EIGHT popcorn makers. To avoid gift repeats, you need a registry.

You need register for cheaper things (towels, sheets, kitchen utensils, etc) in addition to the more expensive stuff, so people can get you a gift no matter what their budget is.

We registered at Target and Sears, and got a ton of great things for our house! To get an idea of what people register for, go to Target's gift registry page (http://www.target.com/gp/browse.html/ref=nav_registries/602-6181241-8798212?ie=UTF8&node=306498011), search for a random last name, and it allows you to view other people's registries. That should give you an idea of the kinds of things people register for.

PS - honestly, not many people register for fine china anymore. Unless you plan to be throwing a lot of over-the-top dinner parties, you should skip it. People in our parents' generation registered for fine china, because it was expected and "the norm." Nowadays, it's much more practical to register for a toaster than for dishes that no one can afford. What will probably happen is that you'll end up with like 7 dinner plates, 4 dessert plates, 10 cups and saucers and a serving platter. Then you're stuck buying all the rest of the set yourselves.