Registry Question

europa494

My FI and I spent nearly 2 hours at a sip and scan event at Macy's and got 59 items on our registry. We are inviting around 200 guests, but we're thinking since most are couples they will only get us one thing. Macy's says we need something close to 250 items, but that seems out of control. Besides, what are we going to do, or more importantly, where are we going to put all this stuff?!

My question is: was there something you got (either on your registry or not) from your wedding you would not have thought of that has become really useful? We are fresh out of ideas. Do any of you have something usual on your registry currently?

We're both in our 30's and have lived away from home a long time so we don't really need the basics of younger couples starting out on their own.

drdifabio

First off, 59 items for 200 guests is not enough IMO. You want to give your guests options and that wont do it. Not every guest will use it and like you said, people come as groups, but we had one couple buy us 5 things off our registry. I really think you need to aim for more like 300 items and at least 2-3 different stores. Again, the idea is to give your guests options.

Joe and I are on the younger side so we did end up with quite a lot on our registries, but we had been living on our own for almost three years before we got married so didnt need a ton of stuff either.

We went the route of upgrading. For instance, we had a dishware set already but wanted a nicer one that would match everything else in the kitchen. We then went with new kitchen towels that matched and so on. We also got really good cookie sheets from Crate and Barrel that dont warp and cook things so much better. So just think what do I have that I could use something nicer.

If you have been living on your own for a while is there stuff that is worn out that could use being replaced? We got rid of prolly more stuff than we received from the wedding.

What about fun kitchen gadgets? Crate and Barrel has an entire section of this stuff. It is things that you dont need until you have it and then couldnt live without it . For example, we got one of those wine pump savers that pump the air out so open wine bottles last longer. We also got an opener that can open thing like 9 ways or something like that. I use that all the time now and got rid of all our other lose can/jar openers.

What about appliances that you dont really need but can be fun and helpful. We got a bread maker that we have used quite a bit. We also got a water boiler that boils water really fast. Sounds dumb - it isnt. I use it EVERY morning to make tea and Joe uses it for oatmeal. I love the thing and cant believe I never had one before.

Sorry this was so long but i HTH!

wittyschaffy

I was in your same boat and struggled with "enough" to register for and I agree with pp that you may not have enough.  I worked at a kitchen store for 6 years so we didn't really need anything like that either.  Trust me when I say that if you don't register for enough options in many price points, people will go off registry and they will get stuff that they would like, not necessarily you.  We did end up doing some big return runs after the wedding.

We regsistered for "upgrade" stuff where we maybe already had it but it was a hand-me-down.  We did get several of those and took our hand-me-downs to Bridging.  We also registered for splurge type items that would be nice to have but not something we could justify spending money on on a whim like really really nice sheets.  We also hit up Target for camping gear and backyard lawn games and such.  People LOVED giving those as gifts.  Don't ignore the art glass category at Macy's.  We got quite a few really really cool vases and bowls  that would have come from that department and we wouldn't have thought to register for.  We also registered for clocks, lamps, artwork, etc at Target and while we didn't get as much of that as other things, it would fill things out a bit for you if it is something you'd like to have. 

hkiesling

I would also suggest registering at a couple of stores.  Not every town has a Macy's.  Maybe try somewhere with lower priced items, too, like a Target  You can get a lot of smaller items on the registry that will let guests do package gifts or just pick something is a lower price range.

That said, some of my favorite items that we received were: a Roomba, an Oster bread machine, a ladder, an imersion blender, a full set of Cooking with Calphalon pots (all individually bought), and gift cards.  We registered at Kohls, Target, and Menards.

You could also look into setting up a honeymoon fund. 

shan87

We are planning to have a small registry (at Target and Macy's) and have family spread through word of mouth we would prefer Money or Gift Cards. Otherwise, if they would like to purchase things online, the shipping address will be in Kansas.

I know this sounds super tacky but FI is in the Military and I am moving all of our stuff to Wichita, KS right after the wedding. If all goes to plan I will have moved the big stuff before the wedding and will just have my Crossover with my Dog to fit things in after the wedding. That way we can use the money/gift cards to purchase items we need in Kansas.

After reading all this, I don't know if this helps you out LoL. Sorry.

KateJ10

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_minnesota-minneapolis-st-paul_registry-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:81Discussion:c9610223-64be-4984-a6d4-0e15b483bfefPost:5e63efd8-c8b7-4ce0-9676-791d08aea128">Re: Registry Question</a>:
[QUOTE] After reading all this, I don't know if this helps you out LoL. Sorry.
Posted by shan87[/QUOTE]

nice hahaha
I haven't registered yet, but I fully intend to upgrade as well. I also have a lot of things already, but it doesn't take that long for a lot of things to be worn out. Have you thought about: Pillows, extra sheet sets, extra towels, (I have heard that you shoudl register for a lot of towels) and even bigger ticket items like a dyson vacuum, or a TV, and I would agree that registering at another store, such as a Target would help.

My post was kind of ADD. but you get the point. <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-tongue-out.gif" border="0" alt="Tongue out" title="Tongue out" />

schmood

We registered at Sears for some tools and a lawnmower, that could be an idea.  Also PP mentioned Menards another place to consider for tools/home improvement stuff. 

One thing that we got that I absolutely love as I've been trying to cook a bit more now: the Vidalia Chop Wizard form BB&B
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?wrn=-280705238&SKU=14556052
No more crying when chopping onions!  I was making soup the other night and the veggie chopping part took only about 2 minutes!

strangisj

I've been to several weddings lately, and a few of them had a Home Depot registry, as well as a honeymoon registry! I loved the HD one because it was all stuff they needed for their house, finishing their basement, etc.

The honeymoon one was cool too because you could contribute towards a couples massage, a nice dinner on a beach, etc... I like how people are starting to think outside the box and do unique things!

Other things.. A cookware set, grill, luggage.. I've seen that where they are hundreds of dollars, and a group of us will all pitch in and get them something like that.....