Lenox

For Brides: Bridal Registry Tools

Registry Realities
10 Real Reasons to Register

  • Why are so many people so-so on the idea of creating a bridal registry? Because they haven’t thought through the true ramifications of NOT registering. A bridal registry can be a wonderful thing. So here’s the truth, and it’s not nearly as scary as you think.


  • A Bridal Registry SHOULD:
  • Help communicate your personal style, even to guests you haven’t seen for a while, or with whom you don’t have the opportunity to talk to regularly
  • Be created together - marriage is the commitment and desire of two people, and your registry should reflect this; make sure you’re both comfortable with what’s included on your gift list
  • Present a realistic view of your lifestyle and what gifts will truly be appreciated in your home
  • Allow you the opportunity to take a current inventory of what you own and upgrade to a better version of dinnerware, small appliances, gadgets - you fill in the blank


  • A Bridal Registry SHOULD NOT:
  • Be written in stone - people change their minds all the time; update your registry as many times as necessary until you get to the ideal list that makes you happy
  • Take a lot of time and effort - a wide variety of stores and websites let you start and maintain your registry online, on a schedule that works for you
  • Be subject to someone else’s interpretation of what is fashionable or would make a good gift
  • Be ignored - it still requires occasional maintenance on your part to ensure that items have not been discontinued, are out of season or seem out of place (It’s a good idea to monitor your registry at least once a month prior to the wedding, and once a week during the last month prior to your wedding date.)
  • Disappoint you - a bridal registry is not infallible; occasionally, duplicate items slip through the cracks (A word of advice: Know your registry store’s policies on returns and exchanges up front.)
  • Be considered selfish - it’s not a plea for gifts, it’s simply a tool that guests (the ones who already plan to buy you gifts) can use to choose a gift that will be truly welcome (Besides, not everyone will shop off your registry list. Some guests prefer to go it alone.)

  • So, relax. A bridal registry is practically a rite of passage. It may seem a little old-fashioned, but in the long run, it's still the most effective means for guests and newlyweds to understand one another. Guests don’t have to read your mind. They have the satisfaction of knowing the gifts they give will be appreciated because you basically chose them yourself. In other words, you’re happy – they’re happy. What could be better?
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Registry Basics
The Essential Registry Checklist

  • Bridal registry is an adventure, not a life sentence. Don’t be paralyzed by the thought of choosing one pattern and expecting it to completely encompass your ever-changing personal style. Add accents to your table at any time to update a pattern or give it new character. Colored stemware, bold accent plates or great serving accessories are just the beginning.
  • If you register online, take a tour of your local store to ensure that what you viewed online meets your expectations in person.
  • Take advantage of the opportunity to have fun and start fresh with most things in your home. It’s not necessary to discard everything you own. Choose new items for your home and upgrade the college hand-me-downs as you blend your style as a couple.
  • Registry gifts don’t necessarily have to be based on need and logic. Ideally, your choices should be based on want and desire. If you truly want an item, you’re more likely to use it. So, let’s replace the concept of what you “should” own and instead focus on the concept of what you “want” to own.
  • Don’t be afraid to register for trendy items, but keep it in perspective. Trends come and go, but classic design stands the test of time. Accent with some less expensive, fun items, but focus the bulk of your registry on quality basics.


  • The Basics
  • Fine dinnerware is generally sold in a 5-piece placesetting - dinner plate, salad plate, bread and butter plate, teacup, and saucer.
  • A 5-piece place setting of flatware includes a dinner fork, dinner knife, teaspoon, soup/dinner spoon, and salad fork.
  • A suite of crystal refers to a water goblet, wine glass, champagne flute, and iced beverage glass.
  • It’s easy to register when you use those basic groupings, but remember, all of these items can also be registered "open stock". That means you can register for individual pieces as necessary. So, if you have a large family, you might want to start with 12 placesettings of dinnerware, but add an extra 6 dinner and salad plates "open stock," to use for large groups on holidays or when you entertain buffet style.
  • Don’t forget serving accessories and entertaining essentials. Platters, bowls, gravy boats, salt & pepper shakers, and sugar & creamer sets are also important to the table. You may even need multiples. A Thanksgiving table can potentially seat a lot of people. Be certain you have enough serving pieces to accommodate the entire table, even if you need to mix a china gravy boat with a silver one at the opposite end of the table.
  • Trust us. You need more than you think. Want to prove it? Put a sample menu down on paper. Now try to jot down what type of serving container you would need for each of the food items on your menu. Chances are, you’ll find yourself using two, or even three bowls at a time. And don’t forget, for each serving bowl or platter, you’ll need a corresponding serving spoon or utensil.
  • So don’t be a minimalist! Plan ahead and ensure that your registry reflects the items you’ll truly need and use.
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Registry Checklist
Build a Registry that Wins Raves!

  • Don’t stress over creating your bridal registry! Choosing items for your new home can be a lot of fun, especially if you build a registry that wins RAVES.
  • Respected brand names are the backbone of every registry. Register for products from names you know; companies with a long heritage that have stood the test of time. This will ensure that the gifts you choose encompass exceptional design and come with guarantees of their quality and durability.
  • Aspirational registries look at who you want to be - not just who you are now. If you daydream about being able to cook the perfect soufflé, or being the one to host the annual family Thanksgiving dinner, then register for items that will help you get there. Don’t skimp on platters, serving accessories, and great china. It’s the equivalent of dressing for success. In other words, fake it until you make it.
  • Variety is the spice of life. Register for a variety of items at different price points to accommodate wedding and shower gifts. Guests appreciate the opportunity to buy individual items like stemware, vases, candlesticks and smaller gifts for showers, while larger items like placesettings and entertaining sets often are purchased for the wedding.
  • Entertaining is a reality of life. Whether your idea of entertaining is hosting friends for cocktails or Monday night football, register for items that make the task easier. Coordinated entertaining sets for pasta, pizza and even fajitas make serving simple and fun, while bar sets provide everything necessary for your next cocktail crusade. Envision the occasion, then register for the pieces you need to pull it off in style.
  • Style is created, not something to be taken for granted. You have to work to create your own personal style. Let your registry be an opportunity to start fresh with items that inspire you. Register for something because you love it. Because it says something about the way you view the world. Because it creates a bridge between your own style and that of your new partner, creating a new world of style that tells the world who you are as a couple.
  • Now, take a bow. If you've followed the simple steps above, feel confident that you've created a registry that will receive RAVES from everyone you know.
  • Our list of Registry Partners is available here.
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Your Registry Checklist

  • Print out this handy checklist and take it with you when you go to register. The list includes everything you'll need for setting the table, entertaining, and gift giving.
  • View Checklist
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Where to Register for Lenox