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King Hippo and I registered for gifts recently, and I have to say, picking out things you want other people to buy you wasn’t nearly as fun as I imagined. First of all, we live in an apartment in New York City, which means our space is very, very limited. The days of buying things and never wearing them, or keeping things for years “just in case” you happen to need them someday just don’t exist for us since moving to the Big Apple. We even have a one-for-one rule for our closets—you buy a new article of clothing, you get rid of one—just because space is at such a premium. So registering for things like roasting pans, a full set of China, or adorable little individual gravy boats for the Thanksgiving dinner we MIGHT host someday just seemed impractical. Where the heck would we put the stuff?
There’s also the issue of what we really need. Since we are both in our thirties, anything we really NEED at this point we’ve pretty much bought already. Mr. Hippo likes to cook, so he has everything taken care of in the kitchen department. Stand mixer? Check. Pots and pans and cookie sheets? Check. Meat thermometer, salad spinner, crème brûlée torch? Check, check…and check. For real, the man has a crème brûlée torch! But anyhoo…I think ’cause there wasn’t a need to scan a ton of stuff and we just don’t have a ton of space for things, the whole registry process didn’t quite live up to my expectations.
Luckily, in addition to two traditional registries (Macy’s and Crate & Barrel), we have a third, unconventional one that I am super excited about. Our wedding ceremony location is offering an art registry, and I’m hoping (fingers crossed!) to collect enough wedding contributions to be able to purchase a piece of art from the gallery. I thought it was a great idea ’cause it would be something that we would always have in our home to remind us of our wedding day. It won’t go out of style, or break, or wear out, or be “old” in just a couple of years, like many of the items on a traditional registry. I’m really excited about the idea…hopefully our guests will be, too!
Did anyone else not love the whole registering process? Are you doing any non-traditional registries?
Ugh, I’m exactly like that. Space is at a premium in my shoe box of an apartment in BK which is bigger than others. I’m doing a honeymoon registry. I know it has its pros and cons. As in lots of folks think it’s tacky but nyeh, “Ah don’t kia!” Love your art inspired registry though 
Ps. Do let us know when you are doing a NYC bee meet up, King Hippo should please please put that crème brûlée torch to use
I totally understand! we are not registering any place. We are packed into my small Condo and have no room for anything.
We are considering the following as an alternate.
Good Luck!
Great idea about the art, hope it works out! Registering was a lot of fun for us, even though we also have limited space. (The night we got back from the honeymoon, we went on a rampage of cleaning and unpacking, and my wonderful husband completely re-stuffed our kitchen cabinets all Tetris-style and managed to find a place for all of our new gifts - don’t know how he did it). We enjoyed upgrading some of our stuff to much nicer brands, such as our amazing Calphalon cookware and beautiful Riedel stemware, and we amassed a lot of fun and useful gadgets that we’d never justified purchasing before, like an electric knife sharpener and a rice cooker. I’m also completely in love with our china so that helps too.
I think art from your ceremony location would be an amazing gift!
I agree with LittlestBirds about upgrading! The registry is definitely the time to do it! If you don’t already have fine china and plan on entertaining or at least hosting a few dinner parties, then this is a great time to pick something lovely! (China is an easy thing to store, and it doesn’t go out of style as long as you pick a classic style!) But the artwork idea sounds terrific too! (If this is something that you’d really appreciate, I’d let your families know that you really think that this would make a special momento of your day.)
Great idea doing an art registry. We got a couple of wacko decor gifts, including a painting. Art is so personal, and these just weren’t our style. With yours, people can contribute toward the purchase of a piece you know you’ll love. I also love private sentimentality (ie when something holds meaning for you and your husband but the meaning is not overtly displayed), it’s more intimate.
Hippo that is such an awesome idea! What better way to be able to remember your big day than a piece of art from where your ceremony was held! I absolutely love it and hope your guests realize how great of an idea that is!
The art registry is a great idea. NYC apartments are just so ridiculously small. We had to go to mini-storage because we just don’t have enough room for everything, not to mention the gifts.
I’m definitely with you on not knowing what to do with all this stuff that takes up space. I recently had a bridal shower, and we got so many occasional use (but super nice!) appliances we just had to stack them up in the basement. The art registry is such a good idea. I hope in the end you are able to pick out something nice from the gallery.
Wow! What a unique and awesome wedding registry you’ve found in your venue. I’ll cross my fingers for you too! I hear ya about having no space. Our central Tokyo apartment is sooo small. There is junk everywhere and yet I still feel like I’ve had to give up stuff. That being said we are moving to SF and we need stuff and nobody is buying 
As another thirty something bride, I can “ditto” your sentiments about not needing house stuff. I love your registry idea for art! We did a honeymoon registry.
That sounds like an amazing registry idea! Hope you get some great pieces!
I could not agree with you more! In fact, my frustration with my own registry experience pushed me to launch NewlyWish, which I think you migh just love!
NewlyWish lets you register for art, traditional items, museum memberships, event tickets, dancing lessons, cooking classes and many more non-traditional items…all in one convenient registry. Check us out! http://www.newlywish.com
-Amanda Allen
Founder of NewlyWish
Etsy registries!
You should look into setting one up with a store you like, or a few stores, for art, decor, etc.
Or you could use one of those sites that lets you register for anything on the internet and use that for fun stuff on Etsy like coffee mug wraps, pottery, or new stationary. It’s a great way to get really cool little touches around your home when you already “have everything.”
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Mrs. Hippo, New York City/Dallas, TX Age and Occupation: 34, Event Planner for a Non-Profit Fiance's Age and Occupation: 35, Finance IT Engagement Date: August 8, 2009 Wedding Date: March 2011 Venue: Samuel Lynne Galleries and Marc Events About Me: I’m a thirty-something bride living in New York City and planning a modern-ish wedding in Dallas, Texas. I love trashy reality television (Jersey Shore, anyone?), online shopping, Sunday brunch, Central Park, and random celebrity spottings on the streets of Manhattan. While I love NYC, I miss good Tex-Mex, my college friends, central A/C, and being in close proximity to a Target. I’m thrilled to finally be planning an event that’s not work-related and to be marrying my best friend in what I hope will be a unique and personal ceremony followed by a reception with plenty of good food, good drinks, and dancing (regardless if it’s good or not).
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