- Blog
- Bios
- Boards
- Classifieds
- DIY
- Gallery
- Vendor Reviews
- Shop Weddingbee
Weddingbee Blog
So, I haven’t talked about our registry yet, and we’re already married. I think maybe this is actually better because I can tell you what we did wrong.
So, when we started registering I was blinded by the shiny appliances, porcelain plates, endless gadgets, and just new-everything. I got a little greedy with the scanning gun and wanted EVERYTHING.
However, once we started getting presents I had wildly registered for, I realized maybe we didn’t really need all the things we’d chosen.
Not to say that we don’t appreciate each and every gift we got. Hell, people were only buying things we registered for, but I wish that I’d been able to differentiate between the things I really wanted and the “nice to haves” on both of our registries. Thankfully Amazon let me do just this, but Crate and Barrel didn’t. Lesson learned: Add things you really want to your registry in the beginning, and then as you get closer to your wedding date, maybe you can add some of the other “nice to have” stuff.
I also got excited about what I thought I might be able to do in the kitchen after our wedding. I somehow thought that the reason I don’t make fancy dinners is because I don’t have the correct equipment. Um… no. Lesson learned: Don’t forget to take your lifestyle (and in my case, skill set) into consideration when registering. Are you really going to make a dessert that requires 12 ramekins? I know I’m not, but for some reason I thought I was and registered for each and every one of those cute little bowls.
Lastly, for some reason, people were adverse to buying things off our Amazon registry. Maybe it’s because it’s a new concept, or maybe it’s because the older generation prefers to see things in person before purchasing them, which I can respect. So, although I thought of Amazon as our main registry site, almost every gift we received was from Crate and Barrel. Lesson learned: Take your guest list into consideration. If you think that your registry might be too progressive for them, it probably is. It’s definitely something to keep in mind!
What are some of your lessons learned regarding your registry?
You never know when ramekins will come in handy! Seriously, I don’t have enough. But I cook a lot. 
Our biggest registry problem is that by our wedding we’ll have lived together for over three years, and we both cook. Which means that even though we had every intention of not upgrading our kitchenware, it just kind of… happened. Our cheap-o food processor died - well, why buy another crappy one? We found a KitchenAid Artisan stand mixer on Craigslist for over half off retail…. it’s amazing! We found All-Clad cookware on Ebay for a steal - I have no idea what we’ll register for now!
I second everything you said in this post! We recently had the same realization when we started receiving wedding gifts. Obviously people are buying what we have on there, but you realize how much you actually want something once you receive it (”Oh…X? Hmmm.”). We are so grateful for everyone’s generosity, but we were also a little disorganized. Clearly it was our fault and after that happened on two of our gifts, I went in and edited our options removing those things we weren’t wildly excited to receive.
My fiance and I have been living together for 2 years, and I’ve ownd my own home for 5 years. For some reason, I keep getting “harrassed by family members because I haven’t registered for towels. I just don’t see the need to register for towels when I’ve bought everything I’ve always wanted (e.g. pots and pans, plates, towels that I love). We did a honeymoon registry. Rather than register for things that we already have, we’d rather get a fabulous honeymoon as a wedding present.
What is it with towels??? I don’t have them on my registry either and have also gotten comments about it. So strange with the obsession to get people towels for a wedding present.
Did someone else get excited by the registry scanner gun?
Thoughtful post, thanks for sharing.
I’ve had trouble with the Amazon registry. We both loved it and thought it was an awesome idea but we are two weeks from the wedding and no one is using it. We’ve had practically everything go from Macy’s and Crate and Barrel but not one item has been purchased from Amazon. I’m half convinced FMIL is the problem because she refuses to even mention it and tells everyone its bad because they’ll have to pay shipping if they ask her about it… We have tried to explain it to her but she just isn’t hearing it.
Thanks for the goos advice. I have been considering reviewing our registry. We are just starting to get into the time when people are buying us things.
Thanks for the good advice. I have been considering reviewing our registry. We are just starting to get into the time when people are buying us things.
very good points. several people told us our registry was lame, but that’s because i wanted to make sure we only got gifts that we really wanted. still, it was hard not to add a few “extras”
I got a little too excited about decorative items vs. things we needed. As I result, I have many more things I wanted instead of things we needed.
You can use the cute ramekins for condiments at parties (like mayo and mustard if you’re having make your own sandwich fixins). No baking involved, and they’re the perfect size!
I use ramekins for ice cream and other things I want to portion control! They are good for small get togethers, to serve condiments or dips. Also, you can use them for olive oil/herbs for bread dipping! Now it doesn’t seem like I have enough!
I was reading through this post and thought “WTF ARE RAMEKINS?!” then proceeded to check our registry. Yup, we are registered for them. Thanks for the tips!! I obviously needed them..(eek)
Good to know - as a fellow Amazon registry-er, I hadn’t thought about the fact that it might be difficult or intimidating for some of our older guests that are more used to a traditional registry location. I think we are covered since we have other options but…very good point Fro Yo!
Yeeah I had to go look up ramekins when I read this post. And somehow, despite your advice, I now feel compelled to go add them to my registry. I need to remind myself that if I didn’t know what they were before today, I probably do not need them…
Just another thought on having too many of one thing, such as the ramekins. Life happens and you could break a couple, so maybe 12 isn’t so bad after all. I am not at the registry point yet, but I think I will also be tempted to put EVERYTHING on thelist instead of the just the things that I really want.
Our Amazon list wasn’t touched either…
People don’t like shopping off the Amazon registry because
1). you pay for shipping
2). a lot of things don’t get to you in a timely manner (to their house in time for the shower or wedding)
and for me, I like to wrap creative presents and need to see what the size/boxes look like.
For the older people (ie; my mom), they don’t know how to order stuff online.
Hm…we’re also registered with Amazon, and now I’m thinking we need to change our strategy a bit.
| Visit our sister sites | eHarmony Online Dating |
eHarmony Advice Dating Advice |
Project Wedding Wedding Songs |
JustMommies Pregnancy Calendar |
Mrs. Frozen Yogurt, Dallas Age and Occupation: 28, Special Projects Coordinator Fiance's Age and Occupation: 26, Equity Trader Engagement Date: March 19, 2009 Wedding Date: April 2010 Venue: Marie Gabrielle, Dallas About Me: I was born and raised in Texas, and have lived in several of the cities across the state, but I currently reside in Austin. I went to college in Boston and have a special place in my heart for the Northeast. I love reading, shopping, wine, reuniting with college friends that are scattered across the country, reality TV, trying out new recipes, and attempting all the DIY projects that come along with wedding planning. I'm a "bleeding heart, save the world type" and thankfully my job allows me to work on legislation and policy to help out those in need. I met Mr. Frozen Yogurt in a bar, though he doesn't even drink! And now we are planning a modern yet vintage wedding in Dallas while dealing with the trials and tribulations of first time homeownership.
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | 30 | 31 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
| 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 |
Latest Gallery Pics