Don’t kid yourself: There is life after the honeymoon, and it will be a whole lot easier if you go into it with the stuff you need.
It may not be the most romantic aspect of your union, but creating a bridal registry can save you a lot of time, money and aggravation–if you do it right.
Thinking outside of the gift box
We all know about Tiffany, Bloomingdale’s and Crate&Barrel, but there are other cheaper options out there.
Chicago newlyweds Holly and Mark are filling their Gold Coast apartment with gifts from an Omaha staple, Borsheim’s (www.borsheims.com).
“It’s got great service, and the prices are unbelievable,” says native Nebraskan Holly, whose Chicago friends had never heard of the store. It offers hefty discounts on china, silver and crystal–often as much as 20 percent. A savvy Mark told Bloomingdale’s just that when they went to return gifts–and Bloomie’s offered them the discount on the spot. (It pays to know your facts.)
Other options: Target, Home Depot, or, for the honeymoon-minded, sign up at honeyluna.com and let guests pay for your postnuptial fun.
What you really need
Wherever you register, chances are enthusiastic salespeople will give you a long list of the items you absolutely must have. Don’t believe them. Only you know what you need.
“Think about what you will use–and what you can store,” Holly says.
A good rule of thumb: Would you buy it yourself? “We didn’t register for anything that we couldn’t afford to break,” Holly says.
Remember your guest
Sure, it works for you, but what about your guest? “When it came down to it, we wanted to do what was easiest [for] our guests,” Holly says of their decision to stick with the easiest online options. Give the system a test-run before you sign up (search for “Smith”–you’ll find someone). Is it easy to navigate? Does it store information? Does it load quickly? These people are spending money on you, so try to make it easy on them.
Read the fine print
Crate&Barrel allows you to return your gifts for cash; Williams-Sonoma doesn’t. Bloomingdale’s has a completion program which gives you 10 percent off outstanding registry items. Tiffany has a 30-day window for exchanges. Check registry policies carefully to avoid surprises in the future.
The china syndrome
“Our generation just isn’t that formal anymore,” says Katie Hubert, a sales associate at Material Possessions, a high-end Chicago store that carries beautiful housewares–but no china. “A lot of people will just want the middle-of-the-road stuff, nicer than their everyday stuff but not so fancy,” she says.
Send the right card
Many stores will send out cards telling guests where you are registered. Efficient? Sure. Tacky? A little. Use friends and family to spread the word discreetly.
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5 registry must-haves
1. Matching plates, bowls, cups, saucers and glasses that are dishwasher-safe.
2. Flatware to go with them.
3. A set of cookware–large and small, non-stick pots and pans, ideally with wood/plastic handles that won’t get hot.
4. A unique serving piece–make your table sparkle with a beautiful and interesting cheese board or salad set.
5. A special frame for a wedding photo.
