Registry Questions

divinemsbee

Two quick questions to whichever TK universe this ends up in.

1) We're listing our registries on our website. Should we name the tab they'll be listed under "Registries" or is that too terribly tacky? My other idea is to call the tab "Other Information" or something similar and put our registries and maybe some sort of "what to do in the city" thing also in that tab. The "what to do" might be helpful but would be total filler, I just don't want to be too direct at the expense of looking klassy-with-a-k. 

2) We're registered at BBB and also at Belk, which is a regional department store chain. BBB has bedroom stuff, a few kitchen things, our glassware, and bathroom stuff. Our Belk registry has all of the china and kitchen appliances as well as some crystal. I would say about half of our guest list is coming from out of town and is probably more familiar with BBB. and more likely to order from there. BBB also stocks our china pattern and the kitchen electrics. Should I, closer to the wedding, move stuff from the Belk registry to the BBB one, or is that too tacky again? The other reason I ask is because if people give us gift cards they will more likely be to BBB, so if all of the stuff is on that registry I could pick it up using gift cards and get the completion discount after the wedding. 

I realize I'm pretty far out to be worrying, but we're starting to get our first gifts and they have been off of the BBB registry, but more of the really "important" things that both FI and I want are on the Belk registry. Should I switch them over or put them on both, or just wait and see?

TheSlowskys

1. I think if you are going to put it on there, might as well make it easy to find.

2. Why isn't the stuff on BBB now instead of Belk? I think it is fine to have one registry w/ a lot of stuff and another with only a few items. I'd assume guests from both locations are familiar w/ bbb so I'd put what you can there.

pkontk

I think you are fine to have your registry on your web site.  We put ours on there, and it was the very last tab, on the bottom of the list.  You aren't putting the info on your invitations, nor do you say "for registry info, visit" on them either.

Summer2011Bride

1) I think calling it "Registries" is fine; that's what they are, and if people come to your site looking for your registries, it at least makes it easier for them to find at a glance, KWIM?

2) I would probably put all the stuff you really want to get on BBB, as it seems most of your guests will purchase from that registry. if you want to keep a registry at Belk, I would put "less important" items on there and have it be a smaller registry.

NicoleSahara

You can list your registries under "Registries" on your website. If you register for the same thing at both stores, just be prepared to get duplicate gifts. BB&B has a great return policy so maybe it's not a big deal to you, but I felt like an idiot when I opened two mixers at my bridal shower because I had registered for one at two different stores. It was kind of nice to have them both and decide which one I wanted to keep, and I got to pick out whatever gift I wanted when I exchanged one, but I wish I hadn't done that, mainly because I felt bad for the two people who gave me the same gift.

aragx6

My tab is called "registry" (we only have one) and it's the very last tab -- so it's obvious if you're looking for it but it doesn't come across as the entire reason for the web site to exist.

MattsPenguin

We registered at Macys and Belk, because they don't have Macys in Tennessee (where my husband is from), but they do have Belk.  I moved stuff around depending on what time it was.  Right before the shower in TN, I moved stuff over to Belk.  After that, when I knew it wasn't likely that I was getting more presents from TN people, I moved it all back to Macys.  Of course I still ended up with $700 in gc from Belk, so I moved the remaining stuff to that registry after the wedding to use the discount and the money.  You can move stuff from one to the other after you get married and still get the discount, which is actually just a coupon for like 15% off.

If most of your guests buy stuff online, then they might see how empty the BBB registry is and go over to Belk.  Although you could just get BBB gc instead.  I wouldn't worry too much about it.

ETA: You can also get an additional 15% off of stuff at Belk when you open a credit card.  Now my DH is not so keen on opening up credit cards just for that purpose, but it's something to think about.  Actually, I remember what it was.  Belk online didn't accept gift cards at the time and we lived in Boston.  So I had to open a credit card at the store to get them to order all of the stuff for me.  Thank goodness I had a competent saleslady who helped me for like an hour try to figure it all out.

Meegles4

I'd put most everything on BBB. They're everywhere, so you don't have to worry about the regional issues. 

I'm not familiar with Belk, but at least BBB is very accommodating as far as returns, etc. Also, don't know if Belk does frequent coupons, but since BBB always has 20% off deals, guests might end up getting the gift for a cheaper price at BBB.

If Belk has a really great deal on certain items, or carry something that isn't at BBB, leave the item at Belk. But for everything else, I'm a fan of BBB.

MyUserName1

If you go to the BBB registry completion party, you get the discount on whatever you buy, whether it's on your registry or not.  So, you might not need to worry about it.

egm900

Belk always has coupons.  I registered at BBB because it's the closest thing to all the guests, but the Macy's registry is where the vast majority of our gifts have come from.  I would check them both periodically, if BBB is getting bought out, start moving things over.  Since you can shop online at both of those, even if people don't live near a Belk, they may still get you a gift from there.

Simply Fated

1. I like "Other Information"

2. My concern is.... I'm a procrastinator so I'd probably go the day before your wedding to Belk only to find out that you closed the registry. So I'd either close it asap or not at all.

hoffse

In my (limited) experience, Belk has a better selection of china and has better prices than BBB, particularly if you pick one of the (many) brands that BBB excludes from their coupons.  

OP, I've seen a lot of people split their china up - so they'll have like 6 place settings at one place and 6 at the other.  Also, plenty of southern girls register at tiny local stores only, and they still manage to get a lot of their china - Belk is regional, but there is still one in every reasonable-sized southern city.  I think it's fine to leave china there.  Honestly, if you want to buy it from BBB after the wedding with discounts, you should just collect it with 20% off coupons over time, assuming you can use them.  Otherwise, the 15% you get back at Belk is a better deal.  BBB's completion discount is only 10%.

We registered at Macy's because we have a lot of guets that aren't from the south, but I've definitely been torn about this very issue because I love Belk, and their prices are excellent.  I may do a small registry there for the locals who don't have a Macy's nearby, but it will be china only.  If you don't mind doing returns, you could register for all your china at both and just wait and see.