Registry Conundrums

January 21st, 2009 @ 1:48 pm by Mrs. Crab Cake

When we first started this registry thing, it was obvious to both of us that it was going to be difficult. Mr. CC is not the kind of guy who thinks the kitchen is my domain and therefore wasn’t willing to let me pick out the china patterns and kitchen accessories without his input.

So here we are, getting ready to mail out those invites, and I’m panicking about china patterns and the color scheme in our future kitchen.

cc1

(source)

I love poppy and aqua!! It’s so fresh and inviting. Martha agrees! Have you seen her line of poppy and aqua kitchen goodies at Macy’s? Le Sigh!

This, which currently resides on my kitchen counter, is also a problem:

cc2

(source)

I’d been coveting this coffee maker since I gave my mom one three years ago for Christmas. Hands down, it makes the best homemade coffee eva! So, it totally matches the poppy and aqua, right?! Yeah.

The problem: Mr. CC is not down with poppy and aqua. And I’m not sure I want to collect china and small appliances that are poppy and aqua (or matchy) since it is a fad, and I will probably change my mind at some point in time (likely sooner rather than later).

So, I have the most fantastic red coffee pot, and a husband-to-be who will not like my poppy and aqua.

Mr. CC and I sat down and discussed the qualities we would want to have in our future home. We want something warm and rustic, lots of antiques, and big fluffy couches. We recently got a new dining room table.

cc3

(source)

It’s espresso and cherry stained wood and it looks really great with the few antiques that we already have. We want to model our kitchen after this table. I’m thinking espresso and honey cabinets and counter tops, with dark red, sage green, and stainless accents.

Something like this

cc4

(source)

Or this

cc5

(source)

Likely, somewhere in the middle.

Okay, so the problem is… our proverbial kitchen is well off in the future. We should choose china patterns now.

We both love this pattern for our formal china:

cc6

(Lenox Federal Platinum)

It’s simple, elegant, and completely timeless. We want something similar for our everyday china. I am leaning towards a simple white pattern. He says it’s boring, and wants a design on it.

His Choice:

cc7

(Lenox Voila)

So not rustic!

My choice:

cc8

(Pottery Barn’s Emma)

Simple, timeless, classic. Perhaps not “rustic” by definition, but not nearly as modern as his choice.

I hadn’t planned on registering at Pottery Barn. There isn’t one here where we live, so I can’t go in and touch and feel things, and I kinda need that. But I love those dishes!!

So my question to you: Is it totally ridiculous to register at a store for one thing? Or is that okay? We’re trying to give lots of options, and we’ve already started registries at Macy’s and Target. What do you think?

Tags: registry |

| Share this post: Registry Conundrums

Latest Gallery Pics

Grandma's Rosary Wrapped Around My Bouquet

32 Responses to “Registry Conundrums”

Guest

Megan

Ah! I love that Pottery Barn Emma dinnerware! I totally want to register for that now - thanks for sharing!

My plan was to register at BB&B and Macy’s, but I was thinking of adding Pottery Barn to the mix. I really love their bedding collections. They also have gorgeous lights and lamps, so you could consider adding a few things like that to your registry if you don’t want to just register for dinnerware. But the dinnerware collection has so many different parts to it, I am sure it wouldn’t be a problem.

1/21/09 @ 1:54 pm (reply)

Guest

Laurel

First, your formal china pick is beautiful! Well done. As for your everyday stuff, I’m totally on your side. I love that it’s just white, but has interest with the bumps. And I think it’s rustic enough to go well with your other style choices. I’m not a huge fan of plates with designs that go into the actual food part of the dish. Let the food be the beautiful thing on the plate.

And I think you’re probably being smart by not going overboard with the poppy and aqua. It’s a fantastic look, for one day or one accent piece.. but not a whole kitchen, I think.

And re: registering lots of places - don’t worry about it. You shouldn’t be limited with what you love and live with for the rest of your life by what a particular store is selling.

1/21/09 @ 1:56 pm (reply)

Guest

Annie

I love those dishes at Pottery Barn! We registed there soley for those Emma dishes and also registered for glasses and drinkware there also so it wasn’t just the dishes. We are also registered at BB&B and Target, but couldn’t find any dishes we loved as much as the Emma ones, so it just made sense for us!

1/21/09 @ 1:59 pm (reply)

Bee

Miss D'orsay (message) 1,295 posts, Bumble bee

To be fair I was with Mr. CC on the everyday chine - No boring dishes. However, our everyday dishes were the one thing we really couldn’t agree on (after he saw the light on the formal china pattern). William and Sonoma gave us a cute registry notebook and it said to get white dishes b/c you can constantly change your tablescapes . Perhaps to something like poppy and aqua? So although I started out registering on Mr.CC’s side (I loved those dishes too) I have been converted to the white dishes side.

1/21/09 @ 2:05 pm (reply)

Hostess

driftslikesmoke (message) 1,220 posts, Bumble bee

I think you could register for just your china at Pottery Barn, since registering for your china really entails so many pieces that people could pick and choose from. I don’t see a problem with it at all.

In terms of your love for poppy and aqua, why not choose something more neutral for your basics (like the pretty white you chose!) and then register for red/poppy accents? The warm colors would be beautiful in that rustic dream kitchen of yours, and I know that Kitchenaid and Le Creuset both have some really gorgeous red pieces that would be beautiful accents with your coffee maker!

Have fun!

1/21/09 @ 2:06 pm (reply)

Guest

Jenn

I love the formal china pattern!!! Which pattern is it? I have had such a hard time with formal china. It doesn’t help that FI thinks it’s pointless. But he thinks the whole registry is pointless. He would prefer money. He doesn’t understand that if we don’t register, people will give us gifts (that we don’t want) and not money.

I finally registered for Vera Wang for Wedgewood’s Golden Grosgrain which is pretty simple and a separate floral accent plate from Wedgewood Columbia Sage collection. I made the mistake of showing the Golden Grosgrain to FI and his first reaction was “Really. That’s what you chose?” Grrr. I like the pattern but I still wonder if it is what I should go with. I thought selecting the china pattern would not be this much of a struggle!

1/21/09 @ 2:23 pm (reply)

Bee

Miss Peep Toe (message) 1,636 posts, Bumble bee

Ha, Mr. CC and Mr. Peep can get together and discus China- my registry experience wasn’t so breezy either. I usually say no to all white, but I like the Emma plates. And we registered at 3 maybe even 4 places, so don’t stress about that. Everyone buys on-line nowadays anyway.

1/21/09 @ 2:26 pm (reply)

Member

cannotwait (message) 1,064 posts, Bumble bee

I’d love to see your Martha stuff, but I can’t find it. Also, what about these?

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=1&SKU=117588

1/21/09 @ 2:31 pm (reply)

Member

cannotwait (message) 1,064 posts, Bumble bee

oh, and I LOVE the Emma! I would make sure to register for at least a couple other things, in case people drive there and then see a short list…

1/21/09 @ 2:36 pm (reply)

10.

Guest

GG+SB

We are registering at 3 or 4 different places… and I worry that it’s too many but with so many people traveling for our wedding a few have mentioned that they’d perfer to just ship from online. I know your town has some of the smaller hometown gift stores that have registries, are you getting any pressure to register at those?

The Emma dishes are lovely. My MOH picked them last year and is still really really pleased with them. She picked up some clearance red plates/bowls that matched them after Christmas last year and mixes then in for a splash of color from time to time….so that could be an idea to mix in some of your beloved poppy & aqua occasionally.

1/21/09 @ 2:37 pm (reply)

11.

Bee

frenchbulldog (message) 6,077 posts, Bee Keeper

Lennox Federal Platinum is what FH and I finally agreed on after our second trip to pick out our China pattern
I wanted the everyday you like most but ended up with something even more plain b/c FH and like to entertain and we wanted something that would match anything… and we already have a “fun” set of everyday my mom bought us a couple Christmases ago (which btw just sits in my closet b/c we aren’t living together until we get married).
As for your question - We are registered at 3 places - Crate & Barrel, Macys and Target and many of my also engaged friends are also registered at 3. I think it is good b/c then ppl can use from 3 stores and they may feel more comfortable at one or the other

1/21/09 @ 2:37 pm (reply)

12.

Member

sambasoo79 (message) 65 posts, Worker bee

I was only planning to register at Bed Bath & Beyond and Crate&Barrel…but just added Pottery Barn yesterday for a flatware set there that we couldn’t find anywhere else. We’ll probably register for a few other things there (place mats/napkins/bedding) but it will likely be minimal. Glad I’m not the only one!

1/21/09 @ 2:37 pm (reply)

13.

Member

Bunette (message) 24 posts, Newbee

I actually have the emma dishes- believe it or not, I bought them at a garage sale from a friend who used them as her COLLEGE APARTMENT dishes, haha! They are a nice weight, so they hold up well, though they can get real hot in the microwave. I think they’re more timeless and mix and matchable than the others- plus I think they’ll hold up longer than the Lenox, but that’s just my two cents!

1/21/09 @ 2:48 pm (reply)

14.

Member

hcky0318 (message) 17 posts, Newbee

I love the Voila (It’s actually what we registered for as our everyday dishes), but for the style you are going for it seems like the Emma would be more appropriate

1/21/09 @ 2:53 pm (reply)

15.

Hostess

BeachBrideT (message) 1,056 posts, Bumble bee

I think it would be fine to register at PB too. And technically you’re not just registering for “one” item… people would be able to pick from plates, bowls, mugs, etc to match their price range. You could always throw in a few picture frames (love their pic frames) or a blanket or something so that people have options.

I really like your set of every day plates. Its very pretty. They also have some similar ones to that (in 2 different prices ranges) at Crate and Barrel, if you haven’t checked them out yet.

Also, take a look at this every day plate/bowl set. (http://bloomingdales.weddingchannel.com/catalog/fds/blmproductdetail.action?pid=301256679&uid=300012365 or this in cream: http://bloomingdales.weddingchannel.com/catalog/fds/blmproductdetail.action?pid=302873461&uid=300012365) It actually matches your rustic theme pretty well, without being overly rustic. And I must say that it is a LOT prettier in person than online. We saw it and felt it was very classic an simple for every day, yet still a little more than plain white. I know they have it at Bloomingdales. They might have it at Macy’s too. Its the Casual Collection by Jasper Conran at Wedgwood.

Just an idea. Your choice is quite lovely, but its always nice to look at options!!!

1/21/09 @ 2:57 pm (reply)

16.

Bee

Mrs. Sea Breeze (message) 913 posts, Busy bee

I think it’s ok to register elsewhere just for china - it’s something where there will be a lot of different pieces to buy so it’d be ok to send people there (online or in person).

Lucky you - I got talked out of formal china completely by Mr Breezy who hates it. (But am determined to buy it myself one day!)

1/21/09 @ 3:04 pm (reply)

17.

Bee

Mrs. Coconut (message) 337 posts, Helper bee

We registered for the Emma too!!! I love it.

1/21/09 @ 3:04 pm (reply)

18.

Member

RobinBananas (message) 117 posts, Blushing bee

Sigh…I know what you mean about mr CC not thinking the kitchen is your domain and leaving you to it. Mr. Bananas thinks every decorating decision is his domain too (which, to be fair, of course it is) so every decision is a process like yours.

1/21/09 @ 3:18 pm (reply)

19.

Guest

Amy

We knew we were about to remodel our kitchen but didn’t have exact plans yet when we needed to register. So we went with white plates too! In the end we decided on an aqua and poppy color scheme! It was actually my fiance’s idea!

1/21/09 @ 3:39 pm (reply)

20.

Hostess

chelseamorning (message) 1,482 posts, Bumble bee

Will you be directing your guests to your registries off of a wedding website? If you feel weird about having only one item (or type of item) at a store, why don’t you add a description along with the link? It takes out the guesswork for guests who already have something in mind when they go to pick you out a present (like all of my guests who definitely wanted to buy us china). Something like:

We’ve registered for everyday china at Pottery Barn. Visit our registry here {link}.

We’ve registered for fancy china and bed and bath things at Macy’s. Visit our registry here {link}.

We’ve registered for kitchen things and lots of other odds and ends at Bed Bath & Beyond. Visit our registry here {link}.

1/21/09 @ 3:50 pm (reply)

21.

Member

BexSH (message) 80 posts, Worker bee

Technically you’re not registering for ONE thing; like a cake stand or bowl. You’re registering for an entire set of dishes, bowls, mugs, etc. So yes, it’s acceptable to register at PB for “only” your everyday dishes. Especially if you love it! The Emma is such a pretty pattern - and versatile, the pattern is not overwhelming, I can’t see getting sick of it. Personally, I’m forgoing everyday dishware currently until my china is bought up; but I have registered for everyday Emma serving bowls, platters and a cake stand. If you still feel guilty about it, you can always add little things from PB - they have great frames and vases.

1/21/09 @ 3:51 pm (reply)

22.

Guest

Kendra

I too love the poppy and aqua color scheme! We’re not using it for our wedding, but since we also had some appliances in red, and our current kitchen/dining room has walls with a light aqua color, it made sense to register for more things in this theme.
We made it work by going with Fiesta for our casual dinnerware. Check out the Scarlet and Peacock colors. We also added cobalt and shamrock to mix it up a bit. Fiestaware is so timeless and durable, and you can always get new colors if you get sick of them along the way.

1/21/09 @ 4:03 pm (reply)

23.

Member

SmallTownBride (message) 130 posts, Blushing bee

I’m in love with Poppy & Aqua for kitchen colors!! I got the Aqua Martha Stand Mixer & Red is my favorite color (and I own too much red stuff, including some vintage Red glass canisters)… I didn’t really ask my fiance, but he’s pretty into whatever I do We collaborated on our bedroom and ended up with the perfect mix of feminine & masculine and modern & comfy…here’s hoping he likes Aqua & Red!!

1/21/09 @ 4:12 pm (reply)

24.

Guest

beaninca

We are registering at Crate & Barrel, (FYI: they are having a registry party in February too, they have food, drinks and give away a free hand blown heart shaped glass dish)

While I love looking at PB for inspiration, I think their sale prices are ridiculous and wouldn’t carry on that burden to my guests who are also traveling 3k miles for the wedding.

I havn’t considered registering at multiple places.

1/21/09 @ 4:14 pm (reply)

25.

Bee

Mrs. Tiramisu (message) 877 posts, Busy bee

we did red and aqua and I love it!

1/21/09 @ 4:24 pm (reply)

26.

Guest

West Coast bride

I agree with Miss SeaBreeze. China, whether formal or informal, is a collection you grow, with lots of pieces, over time. You won’t get it all for your wedding, but it is a substantial fixture in the house that is appropriate to buy people for their wedding. I find it tasteless when people have a big list of registries, but I think there’s a logitcal reason behind this that makes it ok. Also, I’m with Mr. CC on the everyday china choice. He chose one with a fairly simple, elegant and bening design. The Pottery Barn china is so simple that to me it says “Cafeteria”!

1/21/09 @ 4:30 pm (reply)

27.

Guest

kln

I have the identical Pottery Barn dishes, but I got them for a ridiculous price at JCPenney because the set was missing a coffee cup. You may be able to find your choice somewhere else!

1/21/09 @ 4:38 pm (reply)

28.

Guest

CC's Lady

I really like the PB dishes.! Also, I think it is always a good bet to go with neutral dishes or kitchen decor. You don’t want to be stuck in a design you won’t appreciate years down to line. You can accesorize and change the color scheme with all kinds of things….dish towels, flowers, vases, table cloths, candels, etc.

1/21/09 @ 4:48 pm (reply)

29.

Guest

Lynn

I registered at Crate and Barrel and Target, but neither had dishes that I liked enough to register for. So when I found a set at Pottery Barn I liked, I started a registry there too! I’m not one to settle, and I wasn’t going to register for something I wasn’t excited about. White dishes are so classic and really let the food shine. Plus they work with any table setting.

1/21/09 @ 6:14 pm (reply)

30.

Guest

Nettie

I registered for and got the Emma dishes. I loved them too, until we started using them. Some of the bowls are a slightly different color and size than the others, but I figured I’d live with it. Well, in the past 3 months of use two of the dishes have chipped, and I just microwaved something for one minute and burned my figers on the plate when I took it out. I still like how they look, but I hate using them. I am really bummed about it

1/21/09 @ 8:09 pm (reply)

31.

Bee

Mrs. Bee (message) 3,261 posts, Sugar bee

I think most people actually register at 3 places. I’ve seen several registries that only had china on it, so don’t worry — it’s totally fine!

1/22/09 @ 4:49 am (reply)

32.

Member

Jaimelynn88 (message) 3 posts, Wannabee

I did this exact same thing. I registered at Macy’s and Bed Bath & Beyond, but hated the everyday dishes at both places. So we registered at Pottery Barn JUST for the Emma dishes! I added a couple of decorative elements (frames, etc.) just so it wasn’t such a bare registry, but I was fine with it! I find it’s always better to give people more options, and 3 registries is certainly not unheard-of!

GO get your Emmas!!

1/22/09 @ 12:09 pm (reply)