Wedding Blog

Eons ago, Mr. Cookie and I completed our wedding registry. I would say it was a pretty painless activity, but I learned more about knives than I ever dreamt of knowing!

As we completed this task way before I became a bee, there are no crazy photos of Mr. Cookie with the scanner (those things can be dangerous!), or me going cross-eyed as the salesman at Bed Bath and Beyond talked for an entire hour about knives. No joke! This cookie doesn’t joke when knives are involved! So, to compensate for the lack of photos, I have put together “The Cookies’ Guide to Registry Bliss!” My not-so-comprehensive 12 step guide — with tips and advice — on creating the ultimate wedding registry. Enjoy!

The Cookie Guide to Registry Bliss!

1. Take Inventory: Look around your home/apartment and ask yourselves: Where are we in our lives and what do we need? Kitchen gadgets? Furniture? Flatware? When my MOH got married right out of college, they moved from Montana to DC immediately following the wedding, which made an impact on their registry. They were at a place of transition in their lives, whereas Mr. Cookie and I are a few years out of college and already own a home. Not only will answering these questions clarify your needs, but hopefully the conversation will happen before hitting the stores, thus saving you time.

2. Style: Register at places that fit your own personal style. If you are not into registering at chains or department stores, don’t! Many small, independent online stores now allow couples to make registries or wish lists.

3. Number of Invitees + Number of Parties = Number of Registries: If you are only inviting 50 people, two places to register should be enough, but if you are inviting 500 people, six or more registries might not even be enough. Also, when determining the number of places to register, take into account the number of showers and engagement parties you will be having. I’m having two showers plus inviting 150 people to the wedding, so we decided to register at four locations in order to give people options.

4. Price Range and Store Options: Offer your invitees a wide variety of price ranges. With the nonrecession recession in the American economy, many people are hunkering down on their finances but would still love to give you a gift. Or, maybe you’re like us and your invitee list is scattered throughout the county. Although the internet allows people to shop online without a store physically located in the state, not everyone is internet savvy. Pick a least one store that you know is located in the state of your invitees.

5. Don’t be Afraid of Big Ticket Items: We love to cook and subsequently have a well stocked kitchen. Registering for kitchen gadgets meant upgrading or registering for unique items like a mini torch. But what we really need is furniture. Let’s face it furniture is expensive — we don’t expect guests to purchase big, expensive pieces! So, we registered for smaller furniture items like a chair, bookshelves, a leather bench for our bedroom, and a wine cabinet that were moderately priced and would fit into our home. However, you can go sign-up at http://www.felicite.com/ and have guests contribute whatever amount they would like toward your big ticket item. When the total cost is met, the website places the order for you.

6. Register for the Same Item at Different Stores: Since we cook a lot, the one item we really want is a set of Wüsthof Gourmet knives (hint, hint, wink, wink ). In order to increase our chances of getting a set, we have registered for the same set at three different stores. Don’t worry about the possibility of receiving the same item, or even not getting it. I’ll explain more in advice #11.

7. Register for Open Stock and Sets: When registering for pans and knives, consider registering for both Open Stock and Sets. For example, a set of Wüsthof Gourmet knives is $400, while one 6” Chef Knife is $100. Not only does it give a better price range for your invitees, you might end up getting an entire set by registering for open stock rather then not getting anything at all because no one wanted to pay $400 for knives.

8. Update: Depending on the length of your engagement you should update your registry every season, and especially six weeks before your wedding. Items that you registered for in March might be discontinued by your wedding in September. Seasonal items are really tricky to register for because it is likely the item will be gone before your wedding. You don’t have to stock your registry every day, but definitely check back on it before the big day.

9. Spreading the Word: Mr. Cookie and I differ on this piece of wedding etiquette, but I say do not put your registry on your invites. Many stores now give you will little slips of paper to announce your registry items. I am totally being a cookie snob about this, but you don’t want to ruin pretty invites with registry inserts. It is customary for the parents of the couple to pass the word onto the invitees about your registry. Although, I think if you have a wedding website, it is perfectly fine to post your registry stores, because it is meant as an information smorgasbord for your guests.

10. 10% After the Wedding: Stores are now offering 10% off any item still on your registry after the wedding. Put items on your registry that you intend to buy after the wedding. With gift cards, returned items, and the discount you might be able to cover the cost of that beautiful espresso wine cabinet that you really wanted.

11. Returning: Returning is inevitable. Your favorite aunt will forget to scan your registry list while checking out at Target, therefore, the item doesn’t go off your registry. Subsequently, your favorite uncle buys the same item. It’s going to happen. That is why you registered for more items then your invitee list. You’ll just return the item (hopefully they gave you a gift receipt) and get 10% off another item on your registry.

12. Give to a Good Cause: Your wedding is a great time to give to a charitable cause. As a nonprofit fundraiser, this is especially close to my heart. Mr. Cookie and I are asking people to make donations to the Dumb Friends League in honor of our beautiful rescue Pom, Lyla. Contact your favorite charity to ask about their donation policy.

Any other fabulous registering tips to add to the guide?