Registering for furniture (and other big ticket items)

rknox88

FI and I just received a wedding invite in the mail.  On one of the inserts there was website information which led to registry information.  This couple is registered at Nebraska Furniture Mart (large furniture/appliance/electronics store)  They registered for some big ticket items and at first I was a little put off but then realized that if FI and I had 2-3 more couples to go in on a gift with we could easily get them one of these large items (dinette set, bedroom furniture, etc).

I guess my question is, how would you feel if you were invited to a wedding where their registry was mainly expensive items.  This is the only place they are registered which indicates to me these are things they really need/would like.  It isn't like they have 4 registries all over the place. 

Anyways, I was just curious others' take on this.

danieliza1127

I'd probably think along the lines you are.  If we have other friends that are invited, I might see if any of them want to pitch in on a group gift.  Or I would just give cash and let the bride/groom use it towards whatever they need.

ETA:  I wouldn't be offended or anything.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

I think they should have a smaller registry, or register at a store with kitchen gadgets AND high end items (like crate and barrel). I might be a little put off if the cheapest thing on their registry was $300. I think they'll probably get a lot of gift cards to the store in smaller denominations (which might be their goal). Or a lot of picture frames.

squirrly

I wouldn't be offended.  I'd just give a GC to that store.  I'd rather that than a registry that's all bought up - then I have no idea if there's other stuff at that store that they want, or if I should do cash, or whatnot.

amalama

I would assume that they are probably expecting to get mostly cash or gift cards to that store. I wouldn't be offended. I would be frustrated if there was a shower because I always buy off the registry for that, but for the wedding I would just do cash or a gift card.

marisah83

I think going in with a few other couples sounds like a great idea, or you could do like the others suggested and get them a gift card to the store.

I wouldn't be offended if someone I knew had such a registry.  However, I don't know anyone that has registered for JUST big ticket items before.

cat1121

It's not traditional ettiqutte, but on the other hand it seems weird to get them things they don't want or need.

I'd just get them a gift card to the store they are registered at.

Registry info in the invite is still a no-no though.

prideeinpynk

I try not to judge people by their registry items, so I probably wouldn't think twice about getting them a GC. We debated registering at a furniture place (actually, Nebraska Furniture Mart as well) but decided that there were other things we wanted/needed more at the moment.

noodle_oo

For me, I'd find it a little presumptious of them to register there.  Sure, people can go in and buy them for them, but it just seems greedy to me.  I'd love for people to buy me furniture too, but I'd never expect my friends to shell out that much money on me.  If I were them, I would have at least had one other traditional registry with things in a lower price range.  I wouldn't feel as funny about it as that being their only one.

What else is on the registry?  Are there small things in the $50 to $200 range too?  Or is everything over $250?

How do you even buy someone else furniture?  You can't wrap it.  Do you arrange delivery for them too?  And do you pay for delivery (which can be a LOT for furniture!).

Anyway, that's just me.  I love that i can be completely honest on the boards. 

balasj

Everyone has different taste.  If that's what they want then they may as well express it to guests.  My thoughts about a registry are that if people are going to spend some money on a gift for me, it may as well be something I like and not a $200 thing I will never use.  So, if the items are out of someone's price point, people can just give money or a gift card towards these items that they want.  I also think chipping in on one big gift among couples is great.  Personally I'd rather get the cash or a GC than a random other gift, but I also get very particular about things and matching etc etc.  OCD, I know.  The problem as some others mentioned is for the shower.  The bride should be prepared to get things she didn't ask for if she has nothing at a lower price point.  That's usually fine but she likely will get the occasional random gift.  I was always advised to select items at a range of price points. 

snwilson0416

They may also be planning to buy them on their own and just want to get a discount. At some places they will give you like ten percent off or something on anything that is still on your registry after your event. When my best friend had her baby shower she registered for some rather expensive things, but she certainly didn't expect anyone to buy them for her, she just wanted the discount.

quotequeen

I wouldn't be offended, necessarily, but I would be a little annoyed, if it was somebody that I didn't particularly want to give cash to.  I am not terribly comfortable with the idea of going in with other couples on the gift because it can create awkward situations if we don't have the same budgets/ideas of how much we should give.

They may also be planning to buy them on their own and just want to get a discount.

Then there wouldn't be any reason to advertise it on their website.

amysmomma

I had no idea you could even register at furniture stores..

I wouldn't be offended at the registry at all, I think it's brilliant.  I know I'm reiterating what others have said here, but I'd rather contribute to something that they're actually going to use, and lets face it, furniture and appliances are pretty darned useful!

If there was nothing in my price range I would just go the gift card route, but in my circle it's very common to just give cash at weddings anyway.

HisCB

i wouldnt be offended, i would just give cash, or a gc. many couples are getting married later in life nowadays and already have all the little stuff they may need, and dont want more kitchen gadgets(clutter) or other random stuff. i think it would be nice to have a large price range for different guests though, some people dont like to give cash or gcs.

katiewhompus

I wouldn't be offended but I would be a little bit put off. I don't like getting people gift cards because it just feels really impersonal, and like I got it last minute (even though I loved getting gift cards at our wedding).
I just went to a wedding where most of her registry was $80 or over. We ended up getting her a $30 gift card set.

bonnyandtim

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_registering-furniture-other-big-ticket-items?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:41f46408-23bc-4237-9870-821ce831134fPost:0681c421-dafc-4f1b-b9dd-61cab284f88d">Re: Registering for furniture (and other big ticket items)</a>:
[QUOTE]I would assume that they are probably expecting to get mostly cash or gift cards to that store. I wouldn't be offended. I would be frustrated if there was a shower because I always buy off the registry for that, but for the wedding I would just do cash or a gift card.
Posted by amalama[/QUOTE]

This sounds good to me.

kathrynhabibti

[QUOTE]For me, <strong>I'd find it a little presumptious of them to register there.  </strong>Sure, people can go in and buy them for them, but it just seems greedy to me.  I'd love for people to buy me furniture too, but I'd never expect my friends to shell out that much money on me.  If I were them, I would have at least had one other traditional registry with things in a lower price range.  I wouldn't feel as funny about it as that being their only one. What else is on the registry?  Are there small things in the $50 to $200 range too?  Or is everything over $250? How do you even buy someone else furniture?  You can't wrap it.  Do you arrange delivery for them too?  And do you pay for delivery (which can be a LOT for furniture!). Anyway, that's just me.  I love that i can be completely honest on the boards. 
Posted by noodle_oo[/QUOTE]

I used to think the same thing on some of the registries I've seen, until I read that you're sometimes given a discount on unpurchased items from it.

Although I do see what QQ later said, that if that's the plan, then there wouldn't be a need to advertise it. The only thing I could think of with that is that maybe there are some smaller items on it as well? Maybe this store isn't entirely big-ticket items?