Becky and Marc Request the Honour of Your Presents...

Also try: Together With Their Families, Becky and Marc Request the Pleasure of Your Company, and One of These Spendy Gifts as Specifically Outlined in Their Registry, at Their Nuptial Celebration...

Now that the sarcasm is out of the way, I can come clean...   I went nuts on our registry!

{source... and I mean, sure, I don't HAVE the items yet but you know what I mean}

We spent a Friday night scanning our wish list in Macy's Herald Square, I dragged Marc to a Crate and Barrel registry party early on a Sunday morning in March. In my defense, they said there may be waffles present.  When my mother convinced me to add Bed Bath and Beyond for our guests' convenience, I spent hours comparison shopping online and finding the best deals at each store for a well-rounded, hopefully reasonable registry. Hopefully, there will be no want for choice when it comes to shopping for my shower. 

There has been plenty of excellent advice offered over the Web regarding how to approach your registry. My advice is to trust your gut along the way, starting with when to register. Some relatives suggested that we register as soon as we got engaged so they would know what to get us for our engagement party. I personally felt like that was presumptuous of us to expect gifts so early and I thought it would look rude. I just wanted to celebrate in the company of our loved ones! Plus we knew we had two years ahead of us before the wedding and our tastes might change, we might move, etc. After registering, I can see why it would have been fun to start the process that early, but I think we made the right decision. Yes, we did receive gifts at our engagement party- but I love each one, and I now I don't need to add serving platters to my registry! ;)

Defeated, I waited for our mothers to settle so they could watch us open the gifts... it was pretty late.

Next, I trusted my gut instincts on where to register: I just shopped where I wanted to! I like the fine china and bedding at Macy's, the cookware and everyday dishes at Crate and Barrel, and the appliances at Bed Bath and Beyond. At first I feared that three stores were too many, but I soon realized it doesn't really matter- I for one enjoy having plenty of options when shopping for my friends' weddings, and I'm sure our guests will appreciate it too.

Finally, I gave in to my lifelong expectations of what my registry should be. There are certainly excellent arguments for keeping everything practical and budget friendly.  But I had always expected that I'd choose a china pattern when I registered, that I would consider crystal, and I would finally get my hands on those sought after kitchen appliances I may only use twice a year, but I would never buy for myself. Ready to see some items I'm especially exited about?

from Macy's: Lenox Lifestyle China in Platinum Leaf

From Macy's: just one piece of Waterford Crystal to make my Irish Grandmother proud.

From Bed Bath and Beyond: Majestic Yellow Kitchen Aid stand mixer and Ice cream maker attachment

From Crate and Barrel: Cove Stoneware dinnerware- in Cobalt blue and White

One piece of Le Creuset from Bed Bath and Beyond (image from JCPenny)

AND FINALLY, something I really do need for reals:

All-Clad starter set from Crate and Barrel- I can't wait to deglaze these shiny pans!

In other words, I'm pretty stoked about everything on my registry. Even the tiny kitchen gadgets and bathroom towels- but I'll spare you the slideshow on those items. 

What was your attitude towards registering: Apprehensive or all about it? And is there an item (or 6) you're crossing your fingers you'll receive?