Wedding Registry Tips
Congratulations! Getting married is an exciting and wonderful time in your lives. There are many planning details and decisions to make, and so we’d like to assist you by making your registry easy and worry-free. We’ve compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions couples have had over the years.
When should we register?
It’s best for you to begin your registry as soon as possible after you announce your engagement. Friends and family often buy small gifts to congratulate you at this time. Even if you don’t make every selection, at least you’ll get the process started.
What should we register for?
First and foremost – pick things you love! It may seem obvious, but over the years we’ve had many customers tell us that when they got engaged, they were unsure what to register for, selected items so they could cross the registry task off their list, and as a result have never used the tabletop items they selected. Remember, this is the opportunity to receive gifts that you will enjoy for many years to come, and in many cases would never consider buying for yourselves.
DINNERWARE: Dinnerware should be your first decision – once you’ve selected that everything else will be much easier to choose. We often have conversation with couples who are unsure whether to select both every day and special occasion dinnerware. It’s really a personal decision, but try to envision your life down the road as well as how it is today. Will you be hosting business associates and holiday dinners? Or will your gatherings always be casual? If you decide you want dishes that will be appropriate for both kinds of dining, the good news is there are many patterns that can be both “dressed up” and “dressed down” with the use of different table linens, centerpieces, and accessories.
It’s also important to consider what utility you desire – dishwasher, microwave, oven, freezer safe? Deciding if these options are important to you will allow you to focus on products that suit your needs.
We recommend you always register for individual pieces in your setting – i.e. dinner plate, salad plate, etc. - instead of registering for place settings. This will give your guests the flexibility to select an item or a combination of items to suit their budget.
GLASSWARE: Glassware choices again depend on your style of entertaining, but today only the most formal settings require a glass for red versus white wine. Typically, you want to have one glass for water and another for wine or other beverage your guests may desire.
FLATWARE: To polish or not to polish – that is typically the question that determines whether you choose stainless steel or silver flatware. There are many beautiful stainless patterns that work with formal settings.
SERVEWARE: In addition to platters and a variety of serving bowl sizes, we find the following items to be most useful in complementing your service:
Cheese Trays – don’t forget accompanying bowls for condiments as well as utensils to cut, spread and spoon;
Hors d’oeuvres, Crudité or Chip and Dip;
Butter Dish, Salt & Pepper, Gravy, Sugar & Creamer;
Cake Stand, Ice Bucket, Pitcher, Centerpiece Vase
How many place settings should we register for?
We always advise couples who are unsure of quantity to start with 8 settings along with the accessories most desired. You can always add quantity and items as your registry is filled, but this will help ensure from the start that you receive the pieces you want and need most. Check your registry before the bridal shower and again before your wedding to add additional items you may have initially delayed selecting.
Further, we also recommend couples consider the following:
- If you will be using this service for entertaining, do you need more dessert plates? If you intend to use them for salad, will you be in the kitchen after the main course washing them for dessert? The same is true for salad forks.
- Cereal bowls versus pasta/soup bowls: Cereal bowls are great for ice cream/pudding desserts; coupe pasta/soup bowls can be used for the salad course. Both are also useful as small serving pieces.
- Mugs/Cups-Saucers: do all guests drink coffee or tea after dinner? You may not need them to equal your setting quantity.
- Utensils – if you have 8 place settings and 8 guests, will you have enough utensils to use for serving hors d’oeuvres and side dishes?
- Bread & Butter plates – in less formal settings, these are the perfect size for cocktail hour hors d’oeuvres.
We would be delighted to assist you with any other questions you may have about your registry. Please contact us!