wedding registry reccomendations?

[Christine]

My fiance and I will be registering soon, and I am trying to figure out what brands of cookware, bakeware, small appliances, china, flatware, etc. to register for. Is there a website that reviews this stuff? What are your preferences?
One thing I was looking for a heart-shaped wafflemaker, I thought Williams-Sonoma had one, but I didn't see it on their website.

[Jewel]

Hi Christine! I'm probably no help with where to register, DH and I registered at Home Depot since we already had the basic kitchen stuff when we married! I DO however know where you can get a heart-shaped waffle iron if you don't get one through a registry:
http://www.cooking.com/products/shprodde.asp?SKU=108310

This is a wonderful cooking product resource for me, and I've always been satisfied with the products and service. Good luck! I'm still honeymooning after nearly 2 years! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[Beth H]

Registering now is so much better that stores like Williams-Sonoma and Crate and Barrel have on-line registry information. When I registered at Williams-Sonoma six years ago, I was not necessarily happy with how their registry worked. But, friends who have registered there recently have been thrilled. I would suggest (and I'm sure you'll get tons of advice) registering at a department store and then registering at a national store like Crate and Barrel or Williams-Sonoma. Williams Sonoma (I believe) has more "bricks and mortar" stores than Crate and Barrel. I wouldn't exclusively register at Williams-Sonoma because some people feel more comfortable with the department stores and/or prefer to give fine china/crystal as gifts. Registering is really fun -- I wish I could register all over again now that I cook a lot (which I didn't when I got married). http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[lorilei]

Congratulations!

For product reviews, I would recommend checking out http://products.epinions.com/. They have a host of reviews of popular products, and you're sure to find some of what you're looking for.

However, what I would recommend (in all honesty) is taking some time to go to the stores and LOOK at products.

Grab a hold of knives and get a feel for what brands you LIKE the feel of. Same goes for flatware. No matter how attractive or pricey they are, if they don't FEEL good when you're using them, they're pretty useless.

Pick up pans -- be realistic about how heavy you want them to be, and what you'll be using them for. Think about how easy they'll be to clean, and whether or not they might need polishing.

Ask friends and neighbors what small appliances have worked for them -- and lasted. Reviews aren't always helpful. When my husband and I got married, we registered for (and got) a KitchenAid Toaster (which had gotten GREAT reviews). It works like a charm, but EVERY SINGLE button/knob broke off of it within the first three months we had it. Nice toaster -- but cheap parts.

Keep in mind the price and practicality of china... Will you use it? How often? Will it hold up in the dishwasher?


So much is a matter of personal preference. I didn't realize this when I registered, and although I received WONderful items, I would definitely do it differently if I did it again.



[This message has been edited by lorilei (edited 06-21-2001).]

[Julia1Pin]

Christine-

Congratulations!!!!

If you haven't done so already, join www.theknot.com (http://www.theknot.com) I found it invaluable as I was planning my wedding (got married April 28th).

I registered at Macys, and BBB. Both can be viewed and edited on-line. In fact, for BBB, I actually registered on-line. Also, if you don't get everything you want, you get 10% off coupons to use at BBB, and Macy's gives you 10% of anything in their home section for 3 months after your wedding (nice perk, huh).

At first I registered for linens and china. Then I came back and took off the china (what do we need it for?). Some friends got me linens, but I'm thinking of returning those as well.

My DH and I lived together for 2 years before getting engaged, and bought our house in September of 2000. So, we were pretty set. I registered for things I would never buy myself - like the 4.5 Quart Kitchenaid Mixer, the 11 cup Cuisinart food processor, the $100 Kitchenaid toaster (we got it, and my DH made me keep it - I got cold feet about using a $100 toaster), etc...

Henckel knives (5 star series). There is nothing like them. Once you start using them, you can't go back to bad knives.

[layla14]

DH and I registered at Macy's when we for married - 3 1/2 years ago. At it was great. It was close to everyone, and people could hace the gifts shipped with out a problem. Macy's was also great with any returns I wanted to make.

I would definatelly register for a good set of knives. I didn't think anyone would get them off the registry. But thank god they did. I got the Henkle's and love them. When i cook at my mom's now, who doesn't have good knives i totally see the difference.

Also I would definately suggest a Kitchen Aid. I use mine all the time. But i find the key is to have it out. My friend has a Kitchen Aid and she says she never uses it. But she has hers in a cupboard, and never feels like taking it out. I use mine for everything from baking to making big batches of scrambeled eggs when friends are over, to making meatloaf.

Good luck! And no matter what have fun with it. My husband had a blast. Mostly because he got to walk around with the gun scanning things. But he was really excited when we got some things that he never expect people to actually buy.

[Beth Y]

There is a website where you can set up a registry at a number of places, including Macy's, Williams-Sonoma, etc. all at one place. You will find that you will run out of things you want at particular places. I will see if I can find it again and post it.

My recommdations for registering:
1. Think about where most of your guest live and what will be easiest for them. The on-line, national registries are great for everybody, but people in some areas expect you to be registered at the local department store. For example, here, everyone registers at Belk's, period. So, we did Crate & Barrel, Belk's and another department store that was located in Va and Pa, where a lot of our quest where from. Don't forget Ross-Simon, which is a national discount silver, china, etc. store. I am guessing they are on-line and there prices are way below department stores.

2. Be sure to register for gifts for a whole range of prices. Your guest will be in different financial situations, so you need to allow for that. Plus, some inexpensive things allow people to get a larger gift and then maybe round up to what they wanted to spend with a smaller thing. It is a good way to get dish towels, gadgets, etc. Also, do not hesitate to register for very expensive gifts. Many of your friends will want to go together to get you something bigger, so if you need luggage, a TV, a nice lamp, a chair or table (i.e. from Pottery Barn or Crate & Barrel) register for it. You may get it.

3. I will say it here, although I know I will get flack about being a stickler, but it really is bad manners to put those little things in your invites telling people where you registered, whether the stores tell you everyone does it or not. (Ask any etiquette guru, I am not making this up). What is proper, is to tell your family and his and your wedding party and word will get out. I typed up a info sheet for my mom and MIL with all the info that I knew everyone would be calling them to ask (silver pattern, registries, etc.) Amazingly, the word got out and the vast majority of our gifts came from our registrys.

[mommywannabe]

Congratulations Christine! My DH and I have been married for two years and we had fun doing the registry thing. I agree with lorilei, go in and touch everything...think of what you'll really use versus what your "expected" to register for. Instead of registering for china, for instance, we registered for some nice Denby stoneware, because our style is more casual.
We're on the West Coast and were pretty satisfied with registering at The Bon Marche and Target. The Bon had a great program where you can come back for a period of time after your wedding and purchase things that are left on your registry. We received an extra 10% off, plus we signed up for a 12-month no-interest program through their credit card. We bought a lot of Denby http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif
Good luck with it, but most of all, have fun with it and enjoy it http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[mmkeim]

I have been happily married for almost 9 years. I did not register for china/crystal as I was not interested. I regret that now. We entertain much more than we expected, and now have "inherited" many of the holidays as 3 of our parents have passed away since our wedding.

I wish I had thought ahead a bit more.

Things have changed a great deal with the internet too! We have had great luck sending gifts to other couples from William Sonoma.

Good Luck!

Mary

[patsyk]

I have to say that I have the Kitchenaid Mixer and Food Processor (the heavy duty ones) and love them. I think the reason I use them so much is because they are in full view all the time!

As for registering, I agree that it is even easier now than it was 4 1/2 years ago when I did it. Now stores give you scanning guns to select the items you want... we had to write it all down and hope that we did it right!

Definately do a department store (ie: Dillard's, Macy's, Fortunoff - depends on where you live) and I would suggest doing Crate and Barrel and/or Williams Sonoma. But, remember if you register for the same things at each store, to update the number of items you are requesting so you don't have to return as many things later! We were registered at 3 different department stores because I lived in the Mid-West and my in-laws (their family and friends) were in NJ - so we had 3 lists to update, but the good thing was that there were choices for every price range and at stores that everyone would feel comfortable shopping at.

Have fun with it and pick things that you really want - because you may not buy them for yourself later. Good luck! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[chefbec]

Congratulations!! Have you thought about registering for Pampered Chef products? I will e-mail you privately and give you some info. Best wishes!

[schuh]

If you want crystal or china, check out Ross-Simons. There's an 800 number to get a catalog and a Web site. Their china/crystal prices are about half those of department stores and you can register with them. The only drawback is that they don't gift wrap, so you get your gifts just in big brown boxes. That never bothered me, though! Also, if you have guests from all over the country it's nice because anyone can pick up the phone.

Also, if the size of your wedding and income of its guests permit, I'd go "top of the line" for things you register for. You'll seldom in your life have the $$ to replace things you got as wedding gifts. As a result, I'd register for:
- All-Clad pots & pans
- A Kitchenaid stand mixer
- A Cuisinart or Kitchenaid food processor
- Good knives (I don't have any so I can't recommend a brand)

Also, look at Wilton Armetale for serving trays and bowls. It's beautiful and looks a lot like silver but doesn't tarnish. It also can be put in the oven to keep food warm while you serve it. I didn't learn about Armetale until after I got married and wished I had registered for some.

Have fun and congratulations!

P.S. I registered for china and crystal and love it all. I make it a point of using it. Remember, chances are this stuff won't be in the budget in the future.

And let me concur with the person who said it's tacky to put registry info in invitations. When people respond to RSVPs, they can ask your parents/shower hosts where you are registered if they are interested. Also, some of my favorite gifts were not on my registry (such as the Armetale mentioned above)!

[This message has been edited by schuh (edited 06-24-2001).]

[Christine]

Thanks for your input, everyone!
So far, we've registered at Target. And we started to register Williams-Sonoma. I might change a few items on the target registry. There are lots of both stores here in Mpls.