Registry Etiquette (need opinions!)

FruitSnack84

It's time for FI and I to start registering, but we feel like we're in a tough situation...most of his family members live in a rural area (no BB&B, no crate and barrel, etc). We would love to register at Sur la Table and Pottery Barn, but I feel guilty. Should we try to find things we would use at stores near them? There is a Kohls and a Walmart about a half hour away from them. OR should we register for things we want and need from stores that will cause his family to shop online or drive a couple hours to shop?

Please help! We don't want to be rude, but we also don't want to register for things we probably won't use

freebread03

I think you could probably find things you want and need at Kohls or Walmart, and registering at one of those stores would be nice for his family.  Then register at Pottery Barn and Sur La Table since many guests do like to order online (me being one of them!)

Peledreamsofrain

I didn't vote because there is nothing wrong with having both types of registries.  We registered at 4 stores because we were in the exact situation you are.  We had items at Target and Sears for our family and friends who lived in rural areas, then we had our BB&B and Williams and Sonoma registries with the items we reaaally wanted.

We ended up with items from all of them.  A little here, a little there.  All items we needed and wanted.  It was wonderful and gave our family and friends a range of items to choose from that they liked personally, and fit their budget.

J&K10910

I also vote for both. 

lyndausvi

Both

Cortney1982

I registered at Crate & Barrel even though the nearest one near I live is 4 hours away.  What's so bad about buying online?  Crate & Barrel shipping is almost free.  Besides that, consider the completion discount.  Most people gave us cash and then we were able to get the things we wanted at a 10% discount.  We just bought a sofa from there and saved a bundle.

Anyways, perhaps two registries will work for you. 

lyndausvi

There is nothing wrong with shopping online. However, many people, including myself, prefer brick and mortar stores.

J&K10910

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_registry-etiquette-need-opinions?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:f52ce116-2e4f-4daf-aa7f-cc3d070ee04dPost:de30762d-8119-450a-8ad5-a841ccd7f801">Re: Registry Etiquette (need opinions!)</a>:
[QUOTE]I registered at Crate & Barrel even though the nearest one near I live is 4 hours away.  What's so bad about buying online?  Crate & Barrel shipping is almost free.  Besides that, consider the completion discount.  Most people gave us cash and then we were able to get the things we wanted at a 10% discount.  We just bought a sofa from there and saved a bundle. Anyways, perhaps two registries will work for you. 
Posted by Cortney1982[/QUOTE]

Some people don't like to shop online.  Aside from older guests, there are definitely people that aren't comfortable with it, or just prefer to see and touch things before buying.

ThankfulSnail

I don't like to shop online for gifts, so I would prefer if a couple had a registry at a store I could easily get to. If they weren't registered somewhere I could go easily, I would probably give cash before I bought a gift online. But I agree with PPs that you should register at some of both stores for the items you love for the people that might shop online and for the ease of access for those who won't.

lifeonthehill

We orriginally planned to do both because his family is 45 minutes away from a JC Penny and more than an hour from BB&B. However we are just doing Penny's now for convenience and price. Not to mention we don't need much of anyhting.

Just do both! Worst case scenario they just give you a check. Then you can just do it all yourselves. Which isn't so bad at all.

Gabrielle76

I say both. Kohls has almost everything, so maybe make a small registry there, as well as the places you originally wanted to register.  Check it every now and again, if it looks like items are flying off the Kohls registry, add more, etc. 

I live in a rural area and have dealt with that from the other side. Personally I love to buy everything online, and I think most people in areas with fewer choices are pretty used to online shopping, but there are still plenty of people who don't like buying online, so both is probably your best bet. 

kipnus

I also vote for both. H and I registered at Crate and Barrel and The Bay, but we also registered at Sears, because there is one in my parents' home town.

Kate61487

I also vote both.  Kohls was our primary registry for pots, pans, flatware, etc.  you might find a lot of stuff you like.  Also, I feel like sur la table and pottery barn are both a lot pricier than Kohls; and you want to have a variety of price ranges on your registry.

While I have no issue shopping online I'm a bit of a procrastinator so when it's the day of the shower and I don't want to walk in with a print out of the item I bought online an hour ago a brick and mortar store sure comes in handy.

Summer2011Bride

I also vote for both--one of the stores you like and one of the stores they have near them.

hoffse

We have registered at 4 places - one rural (where the wedding will take place), 2 city (where we and most of our extended families live), and amazon, mostly for people travelling.  We haven't gotten any gifts yet, but we actually had several people who will be flying in ask us if we were going to do amazon, because it's free shipping over $25 for most items and free shipping all the time for amazon prime members.  That can be an $8-$10 savings for guests who are flying and want to bring a carry-on and give a physical gift.

Depending on how many people you are inviting (our guestlist is around 300 which is another reason we are doing 4), I might suggest something similar for you - kohls, pottery barn, sur la table, and amazon.

s-aries8990

I suggest do both. Go for what they can easily get to, but if there's something special you want from a store you love, don't be afraid to register for that store.

RailWayWife

I personally would register at Kohls and the stores you want to register at.

TurtlesAllTheWayDown

Split the difference. Crate and Barrel and Kohls.

Calypso1977

i think its important to remember that registries are not required, in that guests do not have to purchase items for you from them.  they are suggestion lists of things youd like.

id register for the items you want at the stores you want, and then people can either buy online, make the trek there to buy in person, or give you cash/gift card, or opt to give you something not even on the registry.

lauraanne9

Both.

We had 3 registries.  One at Bed Bath and Beyond, one at Walmart (close to my husband's family) and a Honeymoon Registry.  Don;t bash me...the Honeymoon Registry was the most popular of all 3...even with his family who are at Walmart every 20 minutes.