Registry Tips

Every company or industry has a busy season. For accountants, it’s the weeks before the April 15th tax deadline, for retailers it’s the holiday season when many stores will open at 7 a.m. so consumers can shop-‘til-they drop until midnight! For bridal magazines, the busiest times are the months of April and October when editors book back-to-back appointments for several weeks in order to see the newest, most fantastic items in the tabletop industry as well as gorgeous gowns in the bridal fashion industry. In fact, around the BG hallways you’ll often hear someone say “I’m off to market” and we know exactly what she means.

This past week I’ve been out covering the Tabletop market with Weddings and Home Editor, Aimée Morgan. Whenever I walk into these showrooms I’m tempted to throw out everything I now use at home and start fresh (and I also wish I lived in a great big house with lots and lots of cabinet space! Oh well, one can dream…). We saw beautiful displays of dinnerware, stemware and flatware that will soon be in the stores and ultimately on your registry lists. You’re sure to find something to suit your taste whether it’s bold colors, graphic designs, botanical prints or art deco. The hardest part is deciding just what you want. So with registry lists on my mind, here are a few tips to help get you started:

1. Before setting out to register, pull together some magazine shots of rooms you love. What colors and décor styles appeals to you for the living room, bedroom, bathroom and kitchen? And don’t forget to include your fiancé in this process. Ask him what he likes and work together on deciding how you want to set up your home.
2. Next, decide what you’ll register for. Check out our Appliance Guide and Kitchen Guide for detailed lists of items for the home and use them as references. Again, get your fiancé’s input as well. You never know, he may have his heart set on a beer keg!
3. Do research online to see what stores have to offer. Make a note of what you like, print out photos and take them with you when you visit the store.
4. Set up a time for you and your fiancé to register. Weekday evenings are a good option (you”ll avoid the weekend crowds) and do work with a consultant initially to guide you. Take your time and plan on going back again—you won’t be able to do it all in one visit. Afterward, you can always add more items online.
5. Don’t be afraid to register for a variety of items. You may be having an engagement party, you’ll definitely have a bridal shower and of course, guests may also want to use your registry list for the wedding gift. Personally, I love when a couple has an extensive registry list. It gives me lots of options and I’m always surprised at how quickly many of the items get bought!
6. Consider gifts in ALL price ranges and do register at two or three stores. Your parents, close friends and relatives will no doubt go for the big-ticket items and your work friends may also want to chip in for a more expensive gift. I read in The New York Times recently that Ivanka Trump, who’s marrying on October 25th, registered at Tiffany’s, Crate & Barrel and Williams-Sonoma. She chose 75 items and the prices ranged from napkins ($3.95 each) and spatulas ($10 each) to a stand mixer priced at $299.95 and a scalloped, footed bowl at $1,350 (maybe Donald Trump, will purchase that one for her!).
7. As your gifts come in, write your thank-you notes right away. Don’t wait until after the wedding when you’ll be faced with even more notes to write (your fiancé can help with this, too).
8. Finally, have fun, enjoy the process and picture you and your husband entertaining family and friends in the years ahead with all the things you love.

Posted by Diane at 7:04 p.m.