Weddingbee Blog

I have a confession: I love wedding registries. Am I alone in that feeling?

When I get an invitation to a wedding, I can’t wait to look up the couple’s registry. You can sometimes tell a lot about a couple by these lists. There are those who don’t have homes yet who register for all the necessities like appliances, towels, and sheets. There are those who already have homes who register for fun things like camping gear and sporting goods. There are the traditionalists who have china and crystal on their lists. Then, there are the couples whose lists are a delightfully random collection of items. I can just imagine these people at one of those “sip and shop” events that stores like Crate & Barrel or Macy’s put on to get couples in the mood the register. After a glass or two of champagne, I picture them having a grand time running all over the store, aiming the registry gun at anything and everything.

The registry gun / Photo by Miss Mink

You’d think that my affinity for shopping from a registry would mean I was eager to set ours up. I wasn’t.

At first, I didn’t want to register.

I have always been of the mindset that it’s best to spend a little more up front to buy something that will last so I don’t need much in the way of appliances or everyday kitchen items. I considered spreading the word that we didn’t want gifts or we wanted people to make donations. My mother said that regardless of what we want, some people will give us gifts and it would be better to give a little direction than to be left with items that will go unused. That left registering for some formal items that we don’t have yet. Which led us to the Macy’s at Northern Virginia’s favorite place to shop and sit in traffic, Tysons Corner.

The bridal registry section of the mega Macy’s at Tyson’s is pretty impressive. Two consultants sit at work stations with computers, waiting to set up registries. Behind them are a few mock dining tables where different combinations of china, crystal, and silverware can be arranged.

The Macy’s Registry Salon / Photo by Miss Mink

When my consultant handed me a clipboard and the registry scanning gun, I wished Mr. Mink was there with me. I had a feeling he’d have fun with this. My mission, however, was to set the registry up, add the china, and get out of there without scanning too much. After all, I could always add items online later. What’s more, my mother encouraged me to pick a Waterford pattern back in college and an aunt has been adding to my collection ever since.

I knew the china pattern I wanted. I saw it in person a couple weeks prior and Mr. Mink had liked it, too. When I went home and Googled it, I found that tagged it over a year ago as one of my favorites. It’s Jaipur by Michael Aram for Waterford (which is actually Royal Doulton china). Even though I was already sure of that selection, the consultant pulled the plates to put on the demo table. She also grabbed a set of Waterford as well.

Isn’t that pretty? / Photo by Miss Mink

I decided to pick out some heavy stainless to go with the china instead of sterling. The “Waterford” aunt I mentioned above gave me a set of hotel silver already and there’s some sterling that I hope will stay in the family, so I don’t feel the need to register for it. The 18/10 stainless is more substantial than the 18/0 that most people use for everyday. As I whipped around the little salon trying different flatware pieces, a second consultant joined in with suggestions. I narrowed the options to one of the consultants’ picks and one of mine.

The consultants’ flatware pick:

Photo by Miss Mink

My flatware pick:

Pointe d’Esprit by Monique Lhuillier flatware / Photo by Miss Mink

In the end, I went with my pick. Shape wise, the pieces were round, which felt a little non-traditional. The design was mostly simple with a band around the bottom that had a similar feel to the pattern on the plates.

Our formal place settings / Photo by Miss Mink

I thought I was done. Scan, scan, scan, and I’d be out of there. Nope. Not even close.

Bridal registry consultants are good. Really good. They packed that registry full of items. Aside from my china and flatware, they added a  gravy boat,  tea cup lids (for keeping your tea warm, bien sûr), a tea pot, a coffee pot, more platters and serving bowls than I could use hosting 20 for Thanksgiving. They were really pushing Waterford picture frames, candle sticks, and other accessories. They were so nice, but I had to keep telling them that my aunts have been giving me Waterford for years. I finally scanned some Vera Wang picture frames and that helped them deem my registry “complete.”

When I finally got out of there, I knew what I had to do. I got back to my computer and proceeded to remove the majority of the items from the registry. It’s a pretty simple list now and I feel good about that.

My formal place settings / Photos from Macys.com

Did you initially register without your significant other? How did it work out, and did they approve of everything on your list?