{Help!} What to register for?

Part of the reason Nick and I went to Atlanta during the holiday weekend in February was to start our registry at Crate and Barrel. There are stores located close to each of our hometowns [and therefore, most of our wedding guests] and their pricepoints for items range from inexpensive to expensive which allows our guests to determine how much they'd like to spend.

We attended one of Crate and Barrel's registry events–the store opens early for couples to peruse the goods without a crowd and with refreshments. Salespeople are all over the floor to answer questions about the different products. In Atlanta, a Calphalon rep was present to ask questions about all the pots and pans. Other added benefits include the demos of some gadgets and a free gift for beginning your registry {a crystal heart candy dish}.

Don't mind my unexcited look – I actually was pretty pumped but I really wanted to sleep in that morning because we were so exhausted that morning from shopping and walking all weekend.

My main goal was to choose an everyday white dinnerware. We aren't going the traditional route because I inherited my grandmother's china. Her set isn't in perfect condition, but I don't see the need for two sets of fine china when we really need a nice set of everyday dishes that I can dress up or down as I see fit. Right now we are using hand-me-downs. I didn't realize how many different types of white china there were. Even with all the options, the decision was easy–we liked the clean lines and bowl shapes of the Maison style {shown on the left}.

While we were in Atlanta, we also started a registry at Macy's. I was dying to see more colors of the KitchenAid mixer in person. I ended up choosing the apple green. I think we are going to register at Bed, Bath and Beyond to finish up. I wasn't crazy about the linens and towels at Macy's and I've heard returns are a nightmare at Target.

As you might know, Nick and I live together so we have some of the things a bride and groom typically register for. Some of those items will get an upgrade {bigger cutting board, knives} and there are some things I've written down to add to our registry as we realize we need them {bigger skillet, pepper grinder}. I'm curious though, what were some of the things you registered for? We don't have very much on our registries and our moms think we need to put more on them. I don't want to pick just random things but I know hearing some of the things you found most useful will help jar my mind!

Top image © HaselBride, dinnerware image left © Crate and Barrel and mixer image © KitchenAid.

Comments

[Erin]

we registered at williams sonoma, dillards, neiman marcus, and bed bath and beyond. we chose a gorgeous every day pattern by Juliska. there are some really cute serving pieces that you could incorporate into any white pattern. serving pieces are huge. find things that mix and match well. i ended up adding monogrammed napkins and linens to our registry at the last minute. then i added some adorable kate spade rose bowl looking vases that i know i will use a lot later. we've gotten every place setting in our fine china and not much of our every day because it's at neiman marcus and a little more pricey, but we like it so much more than our fine china.

we registered for the cuisinart 11 cup food processor and some really incredible all clad pots and pans. we have lots of things already, but we were looking for an upgrade with the all clad.

another recent bride encouraged me to register for all of the kitchen aid mixer attachments. we've gotten the mixer, but we're still waiting on the attachments. most department stores have the attachments.

sorry for the super long post!

[Allison aka HaselBride]

Erin – Thanks for the info, seriously! Don't apologize for a super long post. I really needed some good ideas!

[Lee]

My fiance and I live together as well. So I decided to upgrade on things. I did intentionally not buy kitchen items, so I could put a lot of on our registry. One of the items I love on our list is an item by Tassimo. It's a one cup coffee maker, that makes tea, cappuccino, hot chocolate and so forth. It takes about 1 minute max to make a cup. It great because if your FI drinks coffee and you don't, you can make other drinks for yourself. I also put vases, luggage, as well as baking utensils and bakeware. Also maybe you can you register at a specific store that relates to a hobby that you and your fiance love. It is all the rage now. Hope this helps.

[Liz]

My fiance and I live together as well, so I had the same issues when deciding what to register for. Most of the stuff we started out with, and still use, were "hand me down" type things from friends and family so we didn't have to buy much when we were first living on our own and such. So now we're basically "upgrading" too.

We really need a new vacuum cleaner, so I'm most excited about that, and we wanted a nice, new bedding set and sheets (didn't NEED, but we can use our current set as a "backup" or in a guest room later when we get a house). We also don't have matching sets of towels, so I'm excited about the new towels and new bathroom accessories (toothbrush holder, pretty wastebasket, new shower curtain, bath mats, etc). We're still using a lot of my colorful "girly" college stuff!

We also skipped the china because we inherited some from my fiance's grandma that's beautiful and in great shape, so we registered for Corelle stoneware that we're hoping will last us a really long time.

Hope this helps! Registering was something I really looked forward to and it has turned out to be even more fun than I ever thought it would be!

[Molly]

We also don't need china so we registered for a new set of every day dishes, mixing bowls, cookie sheets, kitchen untensils, a coffee maker, etc, etc. We also live together so we already have a lot of stuff, so mostly it was upgrades.

[liz]

I wish that I registered for more everyday glasses and mixing bowls with lids. I have a great set from William Sonoma that I would love to have more of. I also have a great brownie tin with a lid that comes in handy for tons of baking. Everyday things are what you want to replace 2 years later, like towels, etc.

[Allison aka HaselBride]

Thank you all so much for the ideas! I keep remembering about some of these {luggage being one of them} and then forgetting once I'm actually online or at the store!

[Stephanie]

Great post--and I love your white china. We're going to register for tons of fun linens: tea towels, quilts, napkins... I'm also thinking of decorative things like lamps, mirrors, wooden boxes, unusual pottery. I basically imagine myself getting ready for a dinner party, and trying to think of the small items that would be fun to "play with" and create an amazing tablescape with. I also think these are things people enjoy buying, so we are likely to get them.

[Emily]

I love the apple green mixer, I think I may register for one of those too!