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In the midst of working full-time, cooking dinner, blogging, meeting up with friends, planning for my next semester of school, and sleeping, I’m also planning a wedding. I thought for sure I’d have the process under control at every step of the way. My binder would have tabs with all deposit slips, price listings, and DIY instructions neatly organized. I’d even have an Excel chart with all payments and due dates highlighted and alphabetized.
OK, stop laughing.
I’m sure you’ve heard that planning a wedding can be a full-time job on its own and I’m here to tell you that is a true statement. When I started to plan the wedding (with Matt’s help, of course), I forgot that life gets in the way. Just as I’d sit down to organize my binder, I’d remember that a blog post was due. Just as I went to create my Excel chart, I’d remember a freelance article that needed writing (who am I kidding, I was on Pinterest). I just don’t understand why I can’t stay home and plan my wedding all day!
Just kidding! Sort of…
My most recent task has been to start the registry. I am having two bridal showers – one in Michigan and one in St. Louis, so relatives don’t have to travel. Because Michigan winters can be unpredictable, we are having the Michigan shower early – late October, to be exact.
That’s only two months away.
So, about that registry. You’d think it would be an easy process – click on “add to registry” on any and all items you covet, crave, and can’t stop drooling over. It’s fun, don’t get me wrong, but do you realize how many kinds of jelly roll pans there are? And how only some pots and pans can be used on some stoves and not others? And how it’s incredibly difficult to find drinking glasses in large sizes?
You probably knew all this, didn’t you. You’re smart!
Just as I’m a beginner in eating and living a natural lifestyle, I’m also a beginner at finding good quality products for my kitchen. That’s where you come in. I need help!
I have decided on a few beauties so far…
Crate and Barrel, Farmers Market Dishtowel
Crate and Barrel, Acacia Wedge Server
Crate and Barrel, Divided Angle Bowl
Macy’s, KitchenAid Mixer in Nickel Pearl
So I obviously have all the pretties down pat. It’s way easier to start with the stuff that looks pretty, but now I need functional!
What is the most used item in your kitchen? Household?
What sits in the cabinet collecting dust? Regret buying?
Help me out here! I’ll love you forever.
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The item we use the most are our glass mini prep bowls. We broke all our nice wine glasses and bought cheap ones. And I have never used my bunt pan (it’s been almost 5 yrs). Don’t forget to have fun in the process!
The knife set we registered for was a little pricey, but I use it all the time and it is fantastic! Also, we registered for a few extra dinner plates since those are the ones that typically break the easiest due to wear.
I registered for a steamer, and while it is useful, it takes up valuable cabinet space, and I would have been better off just getting a steamer basket to go in a pot of water.
If you are going to get any kind of china, get a fairly basic pattern, and then get salad plates in a fun pattern or such. It makes it much easier to mix and match down the line.
I would limit the random kitchen goods (no spatulas, etc), and just wait until the wedding. You will get a good amount of gift cards and checks and can really choose what you want. As a guest I don’t purchase those items usually anyways!
Hope this helps!
I second Lindsay. Limit the random items. I registered for good quality cookware and bakeware and use it all the time, plus the items are not usually so expensive on a stand-alone basis that it turns guests away.
Get a good set of everyday dishes and silverware. I have my color waves by Noritake and while they are plain, they can easily dress up a table with colored linens, flowers, fun food, etc.
And one pretty set of serving bowls. I didn’t register for these, but adopted some from my grandmother soon after I got married and love them.
I focused on kitchen items since it’s my favorite place, but some towels and sheets are good options to if you’re not well stocked.
Have fun!!!
You do need to put some inexpensive items on the registry..some guests may not be able to afford over $20.00..so if you put lower priced items, they will be able to get you 2 or more items.
I’ll mostly echo what’s been written before. P & I chucked all our mish-mashed grad school kitchen stuff and registered for good cookware, knives, and everyday china and silverware. What we didn’t receive as gifts, we filled in using money/gift cards that we got. We just had our 17th wedding anniversary and I still use these things daily!
As for less expensive stuff, what about placemats, napkins, and napkin rings?
The thing I got that I have never used is my ginormous turkey roaster. I love it, but my mom still insists on doing holiday dinners – but one of these days I’m going to put that baby to use!
I’m a huge fan of thekitchn.com and I’ve noticed that they’ve addressed this question a few times. I just did a quick “wedding registry” search on their site and came up with several really great posts. They’re written both by the bloggers who work for the site and filled with helpful comments, too. Definitely check those out and then happy registering!
I persue their site from time to time but haven’t looked for registry stuff. Thanks for the suggestion!
Yep, that’s exactly what we’re using right now – college stuff! I have placemats and napkins on the list, and just a couple cheaper kitchen gadgets. Thanks!
I do have a few inexpensive kitchen gadgets on there, just to make sure i meet everyone’s needs!
Thank you for the suggestions! I love serving bowls.
Thanks for the ideas!!
Personally, I am just starting to get in the kitchen more, but I posed this question to my grandma who is always cooking up something. She told me that her Doughmakers cookie sheets and Pampered Chef rolling pin are the two things that she could not do without. She makes all of her holiday cookies on the Doughmakers cookie sheets and keeps trying to get me to get my own set.
Hope this helps, and I’m sorry it took so long. I wanted to get the perspective of the kitchen expert of the family, lol!