Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Registry Workshop: Pick 'em Right

So you have done your research, you have picked your stores, and your following the all the "do's and don'ts"...I would say you are on a pretty stellar track to having a successful registry! Only a couple more things to cover in the Registry Workshop and you are on your own! Let us get on to the fun part...actually CHOOSING what you want! Like I said before, think as it as telling Santa exactly what you want (cannot complain there right!).

Choosing what items to register for can seem like a whole bunch of fun from the get go, but beware, do it right from the start, otherwise you can easily get a little "lost in translation." First of, I recommend making a plan for your self, or at least a brief assessment of your WANTS v. your NEEDS. It is important to register for your NEEDS first...you can always add your WANTED items later down the line. For example, if you need flatware, but really want this decorative pillow...it is obviously more important that some gets you all the flatware before the pillow is considered. The last thing you want is to have a bunch of stuff you only wanted, but are left to buy all the things you actually needed. Fortunately, your wants and needs will often overlap - so getting down to the nitty gritty of it all will come naturally. An easy way to plan out your registry is to make a list of all the rooms in your apartment, townhome, or house -- then, make a list of what you need or don't have for each room - that way, you will have an overall picture of what needs to go on your official list. 
Once you have your general "plan" it is also good to look over a list of recommended registry items. Here are a couple of sites that have checklists of all items you might possibly need, and the quantity they reccommend that you should request:


These lists are GREAT tools, and easily outline what the average person needs to register for. That being said, you most likely will NOT need to register for absolutely everything on there - however, you it as an overall guide (and cross out things you do not need) for your registry trip. For example, if you do not have a guest bedroom, you probably do not need to register for extra duvets and pillows, or if you have a set of pots from college, you may not need to put those on there either. Bottomline: use your list, plan, and discretion as a guide...it will save you tons of guess work and wasted effort! 

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This is kind of a side note, but one of the biggest registry dilemmas for modern brides is whether or not to register for fine china. Fine china and silver used to be an absolute custom on any wedding registry; however, this standard has fallen off over the years. Today, many brides choose not to register for fine china, crystal, and flatware: (1) because today's gatherings are more casual, (2) china is an expensive gift that may not allow for some of the other items you want to get bought, and (3) many brides are in line to inherit china from a parent or grandparent. Nevertheless, registering or not registering for fine china, silver, and crystal is 100% up to you, your situation, and your taste. Either way you go is excepted it these times!



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