Our second outing to register was to Crate & Barrel at Sommerset Mall in Troy, the only C&B in Michigan. We chose C&B mostly due to the fact that they have our “everyday” dishes and because a large part of my family is from the Birmingham/Troy area, so it is easily accessible to a fair number of guests.
A few select days a month, C&Bs nationwide host registry events for engaged couples. They allow guests to come in before the store opens to the public, hand out scanners, and let us go wild!
(Side bar: Apparently no one told the security officer that this was going on. When we walked up to the door at 8:50, this guy yelled, “Doors don’t open until 11:00!” As I was opening my mouth to reply, Mr. Plane yelled back, “OK, thanks!”…and then proceeded to pull the door open and walk in. This guy must have been pretty stunned to see 30-plus couples walk in before 11:00 because he sat in front of the store the en-tie-er time. Paranoid much, new guy?)
Anyway, it was a great time and so cool to just get let loose on the store. While there were some instances at B3 that it was nice to have a consultant, the hands-off approach at C&B was more our speed. There was always someone standing by to answer any questions, and Mr. Plane finally got to hold the scanner he was deprived of at B3!
We even got to talk to a Wusthof knife rep and try out the sweet knives we registered for.
Other than the knives, we found quite a few things that we weren’t expecting to register for, and definitely deviated from the original list. I was so happy that they still had our dishes, because we’ve had our set for quite a while and was worried it had been discontinued. I’m excited to be able to add to it!
Maison 20-Piece Dinnerware Set / Photo via Crate & Barrel
Again, mad props to my husband-to-be. He actually said, more than once, “Are you sure there isn’t anything else we need?” And sure enough, we would do another walk around the store and find something else to scan!
We don’t make it out to the Birmingham/Troy area very often, even though it took us less than 45 minutes to get there on a quiet Sunday morning, so we decided to do a little exploring after the registry event. First stop: brunch at Social!
They had the most well-stocked bloody Mary bar I had ever seen! I’m not a huge fan, but I had to try one.
Yes, that is a strip of bacon and a couple cheese cubes, as well as a celery stick and a pickle…
We also stopped at Jos. A Bank and did some wedding-suit recon, as well as taking a quick peek into Paper-Source because, hey, a girl that is designing all her own wedding paper products geeks out at that kind of thing.
So we’re done registering! Another check on the list.
Was your husband-to-be excited about registering? Do you tend to piggyback wedding errands like I do?
(All photos personal unless otherwise noted)
Aw, I wish Montana had stores like C&B. I seriously would have considered registering there had I been able to look at stuff in person.
My in-laws live in Birmingham, so I am very familiar with the Troy mall. I haven’t eaten at Social, but it looks delish! I’ll have to put it on my list for next time we’re in the area.
We also did C&B’s parties at Somerset Mall!! How funny…we are getting married in Milwaukee but we live in Farmington Hills, MI! Did you have any luck with Jos. A Bank? We went there and weren’t too impressed.
@Mrs. Treasure: Yes, you have to try it!
@jessMKE: Yes and no. They didn’t have what we wanted, but the salesman was very helpful — he told us when the new lines would be coming out and explained how the BOGO sales worked. Hoping it works out in the end!
What did you think of the suits at Jos. A Bank? Did they feel good quality? We’re thinking of getting my FI’s suit from there but haven’t had time to stop into a store yet. They have amazing deals online!
@TealMarie: I don’t know a whole lot about suits, but they seemed fine to me! Their winter line was still out when we stopped in, and we are looking for something lighter for September, so we’ll be going back soon. Plus, we’re waiting for one of their “buy 1 get 3 free” sales!
Mr. Palm Tree looooooved registering and he loves B3. I think that and the cake have been his bread & butter throughout the whole wedding planning process.
You registered at the exact two places we did. My guy loved registering for stuff suprisingly cause he normally doesn’t like to shop.
Loved this post….registering looks like such fun….but I’m distracted by the bacon-cheese-pickle Bloody Mary. I’m repulsed almost as much by the weird combination as I am by the newly discovered fact that I would probably actually try that. Huh…learn something new about yourself everyday…. O.o
Miss Airplane, Plymouth, Michigan Age and Occupation: 26, Fundraising Project Coordinator Fiance's Age and Occupation: 27, Food & Beverage Manager Engagement Date: March 31, 2012 Wedding Date: September 2013 Venue: Fox Hills Golf Club & Banquet Center About Me: I'm a true Michigander (born and raised) and a die-hard Wolverine. I am the definition of a multi-tasker and like to believe I am also a perfectionist, but my horrible short-term memory likes to prove otherwise. I'm an English major and a pretty punny girl, so get ready for some really horrible plays on words! When I'm not consumed with wedding planning, I enjoy copious amounts of television and an equally unhealthy addiction to bacon.
Latest Gallery Pics