Wedding Etiquette Forum

NER(?): Registering for pet supplies?

All along, my FI and I had not planned on registering. We've been living together for 3 years and don't feel the need to upgrade what we have, and we also move frequently because of our jobs - usually to tiny apartments - so we don't really have room to store various kitchen appliances or fine china, etc. that we're not going to use very often. I'm also not having a shower. We don't expect people to bring/give gifts, and if they asked about registering, we told our parents that they could spread the word that we are "saving for our honeymoon." I thought my parents were fine with that until a few weeks ago, when they told me that made them uncomortable, that it was rude to basically tell guests to give cash, and that some people just like to give a "real present." So I think we're going to do a small-ish registry at BB&B for people who want to go that route. Long story short, we're really struggling to come up with things to add...I saw that BB&B have those fountain water bowls for pets and our vet recently recommended we get one for our 2 cats. (They run about $40.) FI thought we might get side-eyed by people for asking for pet things. Any thoughts on the etiquette there? Forgetting pet supplies, will people think it's odd if our registry consists of a lot of disjointed, and mostly relatively inexpensive, items? (ie, a new shower curtain liner, a new bathmat, etc) FI thinks we should just go out and get these items ourselves now since we need them, but otherwise I'm at a loss for what to put on the registry...Sorry - this is way longer than it probably needs to be. Any advice would be appreciated!
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Re: NER(?): Registering for pet supplies?

  • I would roll my eyes hard at a registry with pet items.  I find it hard to believe that there is nothing that you could upgrade.  Sheets?  Small applicances? Towels?  Make a small registry of things like this and people will take the hint and give you cash.

    Proud to be an old married hag!! image
  • As the servant...I mean..owner....of two dogs myself, I wouldn't side-eye it. I mean, if you're not doing it for yourself, why not for your pets? And as for your registery, no one who loves you and is at your wedding should care about what you register for as long as it's not over-the-top. It's your registery, it's what you need and what you prefer, and every couple is different.
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  • One or two household pet items like a waterbowl....eh...I wouldn't buy it but I wouldn't side-eye it. A registry with lots of pet things? meh.
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    You'll never be subject to a cash bar, gap, potluck wedding, or b-list if you marry a Muppet Overlord.

  • See, I don't think it's so bad to register for a pet fountain. Pet food or toys would be weird. I'd also suggest using the registry for upgrades, though. DH and I got nicer towels, dishes, and bakeware from ours. Out with the old, in with the new.
  • If they were super-cute registry worthy items I would add them, but not run of the mill stuff. there's nothing special about that. It's how i felt about some UBER basic home stuff. I don't need people to buy me the cheapest home goods, I can buy those myself. I'm braindead today and can't think of examples, but hope that helps.
  • I did the same. BUT. We are cat people, our family/friends KNOW that, and those items were the FIRST ones purchased.

    That said, it was like you said--a low-priced item just on there to be cute. It was a cat toy that was maybe $25? I had the bowl you speak of on it, but FI made me take it off because those things are a B*tch to clean, and he was like "remember the last time we had a cat fountain?" and I was like "ooooh yeah."

    So, as a pet-owner, I think it's no worse than camping gear or something of the sort. It falls into "hobby" or "lifestyle" to me. Just don't go nutso.
  • If you had a couple of pet things on there, I wouldn't side eye it, but if it was excessive, I would think it was weird.  We didn't register for any pet stuff, but a couple friends went together and got us this giant cat house/play structure type thing, which was a gift we really liked.
  • I'm not a fan.
    What did you think would happen if you walked up to a group of internet strangers and told them to get shoehorned by their lady doc?~StageManager14
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  • Now, thanks to TXKristan, I'm wondering if my pups are gonna be mad at us for not getting them dog things. 

    Oh well, we got lots of pretty things I'm sure they're gonna have great fun chewing...and breaking....and sniffing...and peeing on...and cool kitchen stuff to make them treats with.

    -sigh- Darn dogs. Lucky they're cute.
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  • Thanks everyone! I really appreciate the input. I'm still mulling this over, especially since those fountain water things seem like they're just asking to be clogged with hair (confirmed by Domino - thank you!) But one thing's for sure - even though FI and I are crazy cat-people, and our friends and family know that - our registry will definitely not be overloaded with pet things, so this would likely be the only pet-related item. You're all probably right that I'll find things to put on the registry once I go walk around the store.  Does it make a difference that our cats are insanely adorable? Here's one of them, Luther, in all his glory, looking decidedly dubious about this whole wedding process, though he's probably glad his Mom and Dad are finally making it official: 

    Anniversary
  • He is so cute!!!
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  • jaenellajaenella member
    100 Comments First Anniversary 5 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited March 2013
    I definitely wouldn't side-eye it as long as it was only a few items, as PPs have said. Then again, my best friends got me a home agility course for Christmas for my dog and it was one of the best gifts I've ever gotten so.... I may be slightly biased in favour of pet items as gifts (I'm also known to be slightly animal crazy).

    In response to your other question, I think a series of items for your home (even if slightly disjointed) is totally fine - although do try and have items at a series of price points if possible - no one wants to be the person who has to give you tea towels, spatulas and a bath mat because there is no single item available in their price point. As others have said, it's a good opportunity to upgrade existing items you have. You can also register for more expensive versions of the items you need than you normally would if you need to - ie. register for that 70$ Kate Spade shower curtain instead of the $10 plastic one!
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_ner-registering-for-pet-supplies?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:9Discussion:261e2045-fe0d-4472-9109-793fd4081291Post:b41bcd52-8cf9-46d3-a3b7-db737e146be7">Re: NER(?): Registering for pet supplies?</a>:
    [QUOTE]I'm not a fan.
    Posted by AddieL73[/QUOTE]

    me either.  I'd also kinda side-eye the shower curtain liner too.  Consumables, IMO, don't belong on a registry.   Like PPs have said think about upgrading rather than new things.  Have some non-stick pans that are scratched up and aren't so "non-stick" anymore?  register for new, donate the old.  Especially if your parents really think people will want to buy you -things-.
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_ner-registering-for-pet-supplies?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:261e2045-fe0d-4472-9109-793fd4081291Post:11b71363-50ef-4ca4-8324-89e32e3a7dca">Re: NER(?): Registering for pet supplies?</a>:
    [QUOTE].. I think a series of items for your home (even if slightly disjointed) is totally fine - although do try and have items at a series of price points if possible - <strong>no one wants to be the person who has to give you tea towels, spatulas and a bath mat because there is no single item available in their price point</strong>...
    Posted by jaenella[/QUOTE]

    This is a really good point - and so is what Kate said about consumables (something I hadn't really thought of, but is probably what my FI was thinking when he made a face when I suggested it). Anyway - great advice all around!
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  • LoredLored member
    Ninth Anniversary 100 Comments 25 Love Its Name Dropper
    I am completely obsessed with my dogs so it would not bother me at all. Especially since its just one item. Since you are having such a hard time finding things to put on your registry, maybe BB&B isn't the best place for you. I only say that because it seems to specialize more in all the basics which you already have. We too have beel living together for a few years (and both on our own before that). So I get that there's nothing you really "need". However, I already have dreams about a Pottery Barn registry. I want to live in Pottery Barn. Maybe I will turn into the kind of girl who can throw together a dinner party with fancy table linens and napkins rings. But probably not :)) Ok, tangent over. But seriously, maybe try more of a specialty store based on your interests. Also, adorable cat!
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_ner-registering-for-pet-supplies?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:261e2045-fe0d-4472-9109-793fd4081291Post:11b71363-50ef-4ca4-8324-89e32e3a7dca">Re: NER(?): Registering for pet supplies?</a>:
    <div class="Discussion_PostQuote">.. I think a series of items for your home (even if slightly disjointed) is totally fine - although do try and have items at a series of price points if possible - <strong>no one wants to be the person who has to give you tea towels, spatulas and a bath mat because there is no single item available in their price point</strong>...
    Posted by jaenella</div>

    This is a really good point - and so is what Kate said about consumables (something I hadn't really thought of, but is probably what my FI was thinking when he made a face when I suggested it). Anyway - great advice all around! In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_ner-registering-for-pet-supplies?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:261e2045-fe0d-4472-9109-793fd4081291Post:6edf54da-a216-4e3e-8448-515af85bf37d">Re: NER(?): Registering for pet supplies?</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: NER(?): Registering for pet supplies? : This is a really good point - and so is what Kate said about consumables (something I hadn't really thought of, but is probably what my FI was thinking when he made a face when I suggested it). Anyway - great advice all around!
    Posted by MayberryAfterMidnight[/QUOTE]

    Actually, I am totally that guy who loves giving a bunch of inexpensive (but coordinating) gifts. The last shower I went to, I made a huge basket of silly little kitchen utensils, kitchen linens, a pretty apron, and recipes. It was a well-received gift.
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  • I would be totally cool with it. People register for movies, games, camping gear and such everyday, I don't see it's as being any different that all are items that purtain to your interests. I totally would register for a teacup yorky if I could.
  • I don't have pets but I don't see anything wrong with registering for a few pet items. As long as it's not overrun with pet items, it might actually be kind of cute. 
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  • We registered for one of those pet fountains at BBB for our wedding.  A fellow dog lover/owner bought it for us.  Unfortunately the dog didn't like it and it's now sitting in the basement.  It was also loud.  I hope your cats get more enjoyment out of it if you decide to include it.  So, my answer is no, I wouldn't think it was weird or give it the side eye.
  • jaenellajaenella member
    100 Comments First Anniversary 5 Love Its Name Dropper
    edited March 2013
    In Response to Re: NER(?): Registering for pet supplies?:
     Actually, I am totally that guy who loves giving a bunch of inexpensive (but coordinating) gifts. The last shower I went to, I made a huge basket of silly little kitchen utensils, kitchen linens, a pretty apron, and recipes. It was a well-received gift.
    Posted by xxstardust[/QUOTE]

    I think that definitely makes sense as long as they are coordinating... the way I was reading the OP's post though, it sounds like there won't be too much possibility for coordination as it's a very small number of items she will be registering for - so instead of all kitchen utensils, it might be one kitchen item, one bathroom item, one bedroom item etc - which I personally would feel weird about giving all together as a hodge-podge of gifts.
  • I wouldn't think there was anything wrong with some pet items on a registry.  By the way, I love my cat fountain!  It never gets clogged with hair, even though my cats do shed a lot.  It's a Drinkwell, if you need a recommendation.

    And I disagree with the people who say that it's easy to find things to add to a registry!  Fi and I tried very hard to find things to add to a registry, and could only find two items, so we gave up on the idea.  We both have a problem replacing things like dishes or appliances unless they are broken, it seems wasteful.
  • The pet thing definitely wouldn't bother me, assuming it wasn't your entire registry. You really will find more than you think if you just go in the store! FI and I went in there the other day to look at one thing, 2 hours later we finally left!! Even he was loving it! Like you we have everything we feel we "need" and were iffy on whether or not we were going to register. We decided it would be a good way to get some things we like, but would likely never buy for ourselves...a really nice set of wine glasses, really nice sheet set, flannel sheets for the winter, some really great pillows and might I suggest lots and lots of picture frames!! You're going to need something to display all those gorgeous wedding photos!!
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  • It's your registry, and if new pet supplies are more important to you that new wine glasses or a crystal candy dish, put it on there! If your guests  "side eye" it, who cares? they just won't purchase those items. Not like your forcing their hand.
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