Registry Workshop: Where's The Place For You?

***If you missed the start of Lucky In Love's Registry Workshop, click here to head back to yesterday!***

Registering at the right place for you is vital to your overall satisfaction when your BIG day is all over and done with. There are several factors that go into choosing the right registry spot and it is important to take each factor into consideration. The objective is make your registry one that you love and that your guests are willing to buy at, and here is how it is done:

Style

Obviously you want to choose a store that offers a products with your style. Don't feel like you have to register at a the same place everyone else does, rather, choose a place that you would happily fill your home with. Here are some of the styles offered at the most popular stores:

Classic Traditional: Macy's, Khol's, Dillards, Bed-Bath-and-Beyond

Contemporary: Crate & Barrell, Macy's, Bed-Bath-and-Beyond, Target

Modern Traditional: Pottery Barn, Williams Sonoma, Restoration Hardware

Product Variation

Choose a place that offers products you need and ones you want. For example, if already have lots of kitchen stuff, but really need furniture...Macy's is probably not the best place. Or, lets say you really like the Martha Stewart Brand utensils, make sure your registry spot carries the line (aka not Pottery Barn). Product variation really ties into your desired style - make sure what you need and what you like coincide. Also, be sure to make note of both in-store and on-line items -- some stores offers certain items exclusively on-line and vice-versa.

Price Variation

Out of respect for your guests, make sure your chosen spot of registery offers of items at different price levels. Every guest can afford different priced items, therefore, choose a place that offers a little something for everyone. Although we would like to think so, no everyone you invite will want to buy you that $300 Kitchen Aid mixer ha ha (but hopefully there will be at least one generous soul out there right?).

Location

Looking at the location on the store is crucial if you invited a lot out of town guests. Macy's and Target are found in most major cities, but more specialty stores...even Bed-Bath-and-Beyond is not as many place as you may think. Although out of town guests can typically order things online, shipping and handling fees can get crazy expensive -- and lots of time, people like to look at things in an actual store.

Rewards & Returns

This is an often overlooked, but can be extremely beneficial to you at the end of the process. Each store that offers a wedding registry also offers a rewards program. These rewards programs are put in place to help with the purchase of any remaining items on your registry - but you have to look at the details to see which places have the best offer. Some give you 10% off for 90 days after your event date, others offer 20% off for 60 days after the event date..one is not necessarily better than the other, it just depends on personal preference. Another big factor is a store's return policy. More than likely, as long as an item was bought off your registry, the store will allow you to return it with and without a reciept (for store credit); however, there are some places that will actually give you CASH for any returns off your registry!!! (insider tip: they do not advertise this, but Bed-Bath-and-Beyond offers cash back for registry returns if you request it from management).

Again, be sure to take all the above elements into consideration when choosing your place of registry -- together, these tools can help you choose a place full of things you love and products your guests can buy with ease. Be sure to browse the store's selection before you start scanning - know what you are getting into :) Check back with Lucky In Love next week for more Registry Workshop and a look at Registry Etiquetter (who knew that existed!?)