Ready to register? Meet four couples whose tips and ideas will help you get started.
By: Robin ZacharyReal Couple Registry #1: Bed Bath & Beyond
The Couple: Stefania Sainato & Jason DeGenaro in Brooklyn, NY
Wedding Date: September 1, 2013
Products featured (clockwise, from top left): Chef’s Choice waffle maker; J.K. Adams rolling pin; OXO Good Grips wood utensil set; Calphalon nonstick bakeware set; Libbey ice cream glasses; OXO ice cream scoop; red silicone spatulas; Flex-It measuring cup; stainless steel measuring spoons; B.Smith espresso set; Libbey Just Desserts spoon; Gourmet Classics kitchen towel, all available at Bed Bath & Beyond, bedbathandbeyond.com.
Why did you register at Bed Bath & Beyond?
The store has a diverse selection of items, their quality is top-notch and they have products we couldn’t find anywhere else.
Did you register online or in the store?
Initially, we registered in the store and then did all of the editing online.
Tell us about your registry process.
I created a list of items that we needed before our first visit and our consultant was very helpful — she made a point to check in with us every half-hour. As Bridal Guide’s web producer, I receive a lot of registry tips.
Do you have any advice for couples starting the registry process?
Have fun! And if you can’t choose between different brands, scan them all and then decide later which ones you want to keep.
You chose lots of items for the kitchen, especially for baking. Why?
We enjoy cooking and baking together and look forward to inviting family and friends over to try our masterpieces!
What was the best part about registering?
Jason: I was there with my beautiful soon-to-be wife, selecting utensils we would cook with and plates we would eat off of. It felt incredible to see our future home coming together
Real Couple Registry #2: Kohl's
The Couple: Caty Rushing & Daniel DeLaigle in Athens, GA
Wedding Date: May 24, 2014
Products featured (clockwise, from left): Vinturi Deluxe Aerator Set; Baum Party Time 3-tier green glass server; Food Network Spirits 4-piece double old-fashioned glasses; Oggi 2-piece stainless steel martini set; Libbey Cool Cocktails Power Zombie pitcher and highball glass and mixologist set (includes cocktail shaker and shot glass); Gorham mini ice bucket; Baum Party Time 9-piece tasting set; Food Network bamboo cheese board and tool set, all available at Kohl’s, kohls.com.
Why did you choose Kohl’s?
It’s a great place to buy all of the necessities for cooking and entertaining. In addition to having thousands of selections, everything is reasonably priced.
Did you register online or in the store?
We registered online only. My mom is a regular customer so she scouted out the best products in the store first.
Did you consider price when registering?
Yes, we wanted to be considerate of our guests and not ask for anything too over the top. However, we did choose a few higher-priced items in case several people want to go in together on a gift.
Were there any items that Daniel especially wanted?
My fiancé loves a dirty martini so we included a few shakers and cocktail sets. Since Kohl’s had so much to choose from Daniel selected the sets he liked best.
You chose a lot of barware. Do you like to entertain?
Yes, we like to have friends over to watch “Mad Men” and “Girls.” Drinking wine or cocktails and having a cheese board while viewing these shows is a must!
Do you have advice for couples starting the registry process?
The more the merrier! It’s better to have too many items at varying prices than not enough. You want to give your guests plenty of options.
If you don’t receive everything on your wish list do you plan to purchase those items?
Definitely! Especially items like the wineglasses and silverware.
Real Couple Registry #3: Bloomingdale's
The Couple: Elisabeth Burack & John Bradshaw in Milwaukee, WI
Wedding Date: May 17, 2014
Products featured (clockwise, from top left): Villeroy & Boch crystal candlestick; Jardins Du Monde stoneware dessert and salad plates, Berry & Thread dinner plate, tea cup, saucer and creamer, glass dessert bowl, goblet and flatware, all by Juliska; Kim Seybert beaded placemat and napkins; Aman Imports napkin ring; kate spade new york dragonfly and platinum dot salad plates, all available at Bloomingdale’s, bloomingdales.com.
Tell us about your registry process.
I did lots of online research and gathered John’s opinion as I went. Once we knew what we liked we visited the store and worked with a consultant. A good registry takes time; it’s a work of art and speaks volumes about a couple and what they value.
You chose a lot of white dinnerware. Any special reason for this color?
We wanted something neutral and timeless that would take us through many decades together! White goes with everything and knows no season, plus food stands out on it. And because I love purple, John agreed to incorporate subtle purple accents through items like bowls and napkins.
If you don’t receive everything, do you plan to purchase those items?
We definitely plan to complete our dining sets after the wedding and evaluate some of the more unique items on a piece-by-piece basis.
Any advice for couples starting the registry process?
Absolutely — do your research and communicate openly with each other about your tastes. You wouldn’t show up to a meeting unprepared; registering is no different.
What was the best part about registering?
While picking out beautiful gifts is always fun, the best part was picturing our future life together.
Why did you choose Bloomingdale’s for your registry?
We had fallen in love with the Juliska dinnerware and they carry a large selection. Plus, free monogramming on our towels sweetened the deal!
Real Couple Registry #4: Crate & Barrel
The Couple: Lauren Autio & Matthew Nickels in Los Angeles, CA
Wedding Date: August 10, 2013
Products featured (clockwise, from left): Nightstand in coffee finish; handcrafted basket; Marimekko navy and white cotton towels; stoneware vase; wall mirror; (in hamper) Marimekko graphic floral sham; grey-trim white sham; rattan hamper with cotton liner; chevron pattern outdoor rug; (on shelves) Marimekko cotton duvet cover; hammered aluminum platter, oval glass soap dish, soap pump, white towels, all available at Crate & Barrel, crateandbarrel.com
Why did you choose Crate & Barrel?
We already had most of our essentials but friends suggested we upgrade everything. We love Crate & Barrel’s selection of higher-end alternatives to our everyday basics.
Tell us about your registry process.
We browsed the store then went online, created one log in and used both of our laptops to complete our registry at the same time. We then went through our lists together and edited to remove duplicates or items that we decided we didn’t really need.
Did you consider price when registering?
We made sure to include lower and higher cost items. We also gave our guests the option to purchase gift cards.
Were there any items that Matthew especially wanted?
He wanted multiple types of beer glasses, a popcorn bowl — guy stuff!
Was it difficult to decide on a color/pattern for your bedding and bath gifts?
Luckily, I lived on my own before getting engaged so I already had my pink, girly bathroom. Matt has a good eye for decor so he helped with the choices. We chose mostly dark-colored items since they’re easier to keep clean and look nice against our white tile.
What was the best part about registering?
We loved choosing items together. I think once we have everything that we registered for set up in our apartment it will feel more like home for both of us.
Photo Credit: David Lazarus
