how much is too much on a registry?

waitingtotry

My fiance and I are just starting out, so we need...everything. Overall we have 3 registries, BBB, Macy's, and Target. The Target one is nothing but board games and a few fun little odds and ends but all things we can do without, Macy's is the fine china and such, and BBB is the rest. But overall, what is considered too much or gift grabby? Target has 20 items again just fun things, but not at all necessary, BBB has 240 with 209 left in all price ranges, but most under 50, with a few over, and then Macy's with 120? with 115? being fine China, with plates bowls utensils, etc side note: grandma told me to do 12 settings even though I only felt 8 was necessary and she registry stalks so she would know if I took it off. Is this too much?

Thanks ladies! :

sparkles776

I dont think that is too much. I personally would rather have too much to choose from than not enough. I think it really depends too on how many guests you are having to your shower/wedding.

waitingtotry

The shower will be about 2025 people, and the wedding will be a max of 120. My grandma has some friends that are...not hurting for money, and I was even yelled at for only having a few things over 75, which most of which was bought at the engagement party.. so not that I expect it or would be upset if I didn't get it, but in sure if they were to get us something for either event it wouldn't be a problem with having more of lesser priced items.. I guess I just feel guilty?

Avion22

If I were you, I would scrap the Target registry.  If you really need the necessities, then maybe the fun stuff can wait (and you could use any cash gifts to buy the fun stuff).   

I think what you have left on the BB&B and Macy's registries sounds just fine.  I think people will have a lot to pick from.

kmsst48

My friend is a wedding registry person and she reccomends 3 items per person and you should hit an item in each price range. So think 50 and under, 100 and under and than 100 and over. Gives you lots of variety and allows people to gift together and if they want to gift for the wedding which sometimes people prefer. 

I think the target one is fun but I'd drop it too. If there is nothing on there for the home and starting out you may want to reconsider. Maybe add cookbooks, hampers, camping gear, hangers  or more basic necessitites that people can get there. 

We're doing Macy's for most everything with place settings, pans, bed and bath that kinda stuff, target for all the small gadgets, and Amazon because my love wants to put tools on the registrey. If I can register for an upgraded kitchenaid he can register for a table saw LOL. 

hoffse

You're fine - the three things per person is overkill, particularly if you have one items over $100 per person, but you're not doing that.  I personally think somewhere between 1.5-2 items per person is plenty, because that accommodates people who will buy a single place setting of something along with people who will buy in pairs, along with people who won't buy you a gift at all, etc.  I would also scrap the target registry.

Too much is when you have like 800 things.  I'm going to a shower soon where the girl has more than 1500 items.  That was waaaay too much.  Honestly, if you look up some friends of yours/other people in your circle, you'll probably see about the same amoumt.  I did that and it made me feel better about the 350-400 items I have.

Also, I agree that 12 place settings is what you should register for.  Unless your china is the $500/place setting Herend stuff and you really want to just start your collection, 12 is very very very standard.  And you never know when you'll need an extra place setting or two with kids, relatives, etc.

waitingtotry

Yes I agree that the target one is somewhat pointless, but the reason we have it is for friends who have expressed that they are broke college kids, just newly weds, etc, and we didn't feel comfortable telling them about the two registries that have some pricier items. We have some other things on the target one, like some clothing hampers, a standard coffee machine, and then some of the games, but we also have them registered elsewhere. We figured that could be only for friends who want to get us something but don't have the means for a 25 gift, and if they get them from Target we delete it off another registry. Like I said, I don't ever expect gifts, but we were having them ask and we didn't want them to feel obligated for something out of their price range.

spartybride3

We had about 130 at our wedding & we had 3 registries & 5 showers. We had about 55 items at C & B, 10 at Pottery Barn (for more of the home decor stuff), and probaby another 60-70 at Macy's (including crystal & china). Only about 10-12 items were over $100. The lady at Macy's told me I needed to add more expansive items because "people will want to buy you big items." I didn't listen to her. I could not ask people to pay $150 for a platter "just because" and if it came down to it, I would rather have the $150 in cash than a michael aram platter.

 In the end, we still had to buy stuff from our registry after the wedding, but not much. We had people at our wedding that are not hard up for money either, but that doesn't mean they're going to give you the world. Also for those that have a smaller budget, they will give you what they can afford & if they cant afford a specific gift on your registry, they will give you cash or a gift card. 

We also did 12 pieces for our china (in case something breaks) and 10 every day place settings. I look at our cupboard & think "why did I register for so many plates?!" but just because I don't use all of them now doesn't mean I wont in the next couple years. Register for what you want and need. Everyone told me if you want it, ask for it now because you won't buy it for yourself in the future. This is why I have 5 platters and 6 serving bowls. Oy.