Registering is a NIGHTMARE!

Is anyone else having problems registering? I'm finding it very draining. Either I don't like anything or things are SOOO expensive, that I can't expect my guests to come to my wedding with one fluted champagne glass. I'm registered at Macy's but am told Fortunoff's is better. It's not very close to me or my relatives so it seemed like a bad idea.

We've been 4 times and haven't filled one page yet. My fiancee is very patient, so that's one thing I have going.

How do you accessorize a house you don't even have yet?????? UGH!

Registering is a NIGHTMARE!

I WAS COMPLETLY STRESSED OUT FROM REGISTERING. I STARTED THE MIDDLE OF DECEMBER, HAVE BEEN TO THE STORES ABOUT 5 OR 6 TIMES AND I STILL AM NOT DONE. I REGISTERED AT MACY'S AND FORTUNOFF. YOUR GUEST CAN ORDER FOR YOU ON-LINE, AND I FOUND THERE SELECTION OF CHINA/EVERYDAY DISHES/FLATWARE/BEDDING - VERY GOOD - A LARGE SELECTION. GOOD LUCK!

As far as favors are concerned we do alot of great favors for bridal showers....just some of them are dress shaped trinket boxes, candles, mugs filled with candy, potpourri miniature bride sachets that look like little brides, all types of chocolates, frames, and more. We also do a towel cake centerpiece that is a nice touch as well.

Hope this helps! Stephanie, Classic Favors and Invitations

Registering is a NIGHTMARE!

I felt the same way. I have been back to Macy's about 5-6 times. I'm having a small wedding so I can't really register for a ton of things, just the stuff we really want. We als, don't have a house yet and have no idea of how it will be decorated. We went for stuff like pots & pans/blender/toaster/bakeware. We also registered at Target, for a vaccuum/tools. Good luck.

As far as favors are concerned we do alot of great favors for bridal showers....just some of them are dress shaped trinket boxes, candles, mugs filled with candy, potpourri miniature bride sachets that look like little brides, all types of chocolates, frames, and more. We also do a towel cake centerpiece that is a nice touch as well.

Hope this helps! Stephanie, Classic Favors and Invitations

Registering is a NIGHTMARE!

Hi Jenn and ladies: I registered at Sterns. They have everything Macy's does, 30.00 less expensive. There is a Sterns near everyone. I don't have a house yet either, but I know my favorite colors and went for them. I went one time, picked what I liked, regardless of my apartment now. Just put whatever you REALLY! want. You should have a feel for what you like and build your kitchen and bath around those colors someday. We change things so much anyway; we change things all the time. Get what you like now. I feel really confident about what I picked. I never go back again, because I know I'll change my mind. Sterns is great! Very helpful and good prices for your families and friends.

You may want to use something associated with cars, car fresheners (also double as favors), find pictures of different years of the model car you are using, color copy and write or print in bold letters the names, I also think matchbox cars are a cute idea (maybe you can go to a thrift store). If you don't want the car theme to take over the reception, just use simple cards and paste a car from a magazine onto the card. If you want to make a game out of it, pick a movie that the car was in and make the guests guess what table there at. You can put the answer on the back of the card. Good luck.

Hope this helps! Stephanie, Classic Favors and Invitations

Registering is a NIGHTMARE!

Jenn, for whatever its worth - this is what happened to me.

I first registered at Crate and Barrel for everything. Then my future MIL found many of the items at Fortunoff - AND FOR LESS MONEY. I ended up registering there as well...and moved much of my C&B to F.

I'd never shopped there before but found the staff to be very knowledgable & friendly. The on-line services are OUTSTANDING - you can start your registry & update it without ever entering the store. Folks who don't have access and can't visit the facility can have the info mailed/faxed.

Registering is a NIGHTMARE!

You are definitely not alone. I found Macys the same way and ended up cancelling that registry and going only with Fortunoff. I have to say they were great about everything and returns were so easy. My apartment wasn't even built when I registered but I knew I wanted white appliances so that narrows choices down. Also I thought green was a "safe" color to accent in because all stems of flowers are green. It worked out great and looks like I bought everything after it was built. Lastly, I opted for simple patterns, my china is all white and at holidays I accent with tableclothes and cloth napkins(just call me Martha)LOL......Good Luck I know it can be overwhelming......Gina

I'd never shopped there before but found the staff to be very knowledgable & friendly. The on-line services are OUTSTANDING - you can start your registry & update it without ever entering the store. Folks who don't have access and can't visit the facility can have the info mailed/faxed.

Registering is a NIGHTMARE!

I also registered at Fortunoff's. I found it to be difficult also. It took me three or four trips to complete the list. I registered early so people could get engagement gifts if they wished. So now, I feel like I should update the list, add and remove things before my shower. I keep procrastinating this task, but I'd better do it before it's too late.

That's a great idea. One other thing you could put in it, if you haven't bought it already, is a magazine called Locations. It tells you all about local catering halls, what their capabilities are and they give you the telephone number and contact persons for each hall. It's a great book> I bought it myself and find it very useful.

PS: If you are interested I bought it at Barnes & Nobel

Registering is a NIGHTMARE!

Thank you all for the votes of confidence and the knowledge that I'm not alone....People (mostly single people,come to think of it) can't believe this is such a nightmare for me...they all imagine it to be.....fun.

That's a great idea. One other thing you could put in it, if you haven't bought it already, is a magazine called Locations. It tells you all about local catering halls, what their capabilities are and they give you the telephone number and contact persons for each hall. It's a great book> I bought it myself and find it very useful.

PS: If you are interested I bought it at Barnes & Nobel

Registering is a NIGHTMARE!

JENN I know what you mean.

I keep telling my Fi that we need to include towels and sheets on the registry & he keeps saying- how can we do that when we don't have a place to live? how are we to know what the rooms will be like and what colors will work?? ARRRGGHH!! I told him yes, I know I have Tons of white towels and we have recieved 2 BEAUTIFUL sheet sets...but if there isn't any towel/sheet/kitchen towels on the registry, people will pick them up anyway. And probably in colors THEY like. So, I hate to say this, I may just insist on it. He thinks I am nuts!! and if we keep the registry simple, people will have to stick to it and buy us the calphalon we want/need.

HELP!! we are 5 months away TODAY!!

Registering is a NIGHTMARE!

you know you can do that online, right? no need to visit the store. you can view the items as well!

Just know that if you register now, be prepared to go back in 6 month intervals to update b/c inventory changes. I only registered in December and I just received a letter from Fortunoff's regarding the discontinuance of my sheets.....

Good luck - and take it slow. Even with the best plans, expect things to go a little nutty at times & roll with it! ;)

Registering is a NIGHTMARE!

How do you do it on-line? I thought you could only see the items you have registered. You can register on-line too?

Laura and Margaret,

Mark Kauffman has photography services that you can pick and choose from, so the prices really range depending on what you want/need. That's what I really liked about him...I got to pick and choose to create a package, and I saw the price of EACH thing, so I got to spend more on what was important to me and skimp on the not-so important. ...like, I chose the 3x5 proofs that were cheaper, and I splurged on getting a higher skill level photographer. This way, I still worked within my budget. I just liked having that control in picking my photography...which I didn't find elsewhere. Plus, I got the photojournalist style that I wanted...their specialty for over ten years.

Registering is a NIGHTMARE!

Oh sure. Check it out:

http://www.fortunoff.com/br_home.asp

Mark Kauffman has photography services that you can pick and choose from, so the prices really range depending on what you want/need. That's what I really liked about him...I got to pick and choose to create a package, and I saw the price of EACH thing, so I got to spend more on what was important to me and skimp on the not-so important. ...like, I chose the 3x5 proofs that were cheaper, and I splurged on getting a higher skill level photographer. This way, I still worked within my budget. I just liked having that control in picking my photography...which I didn't find elsewhere. Plus, I got the photojournalist style that I wanted...their specialty for over ten years.

Registering is a NIGHTMARE!

Another cool thing about Fortunoff is that they wrap everything for FREE!!!!

And....how close to your wedding day should the last fitting be?

Registering is a NIGHTMARE!

Very, VERY cool! : )

Guests LOVE that! That was the biggest issue for my guests that shopped at Crate & Barrel - NO GIFT WRAP AT ALL!

And....how close to your wedding day should the last fitting be?

Registering is a NIGHTMARE!

Bed,Bath & beyond wraps for free and so does Macys

What I decided is to wrap the favor in a clear party bag that has blk & white confetti printed on it, and has confetti inside. Tie it up with a ribbon and attach the place card to the bag. This way, one per couple/person. I am also putting together little goody bags for the kids and attaching their placecard to them as well. These will be set up on a table outside the hall ...just like the placecards normally would be. What to you think?

We did the 1 day precana gig. Paul works in NJ and I work in Suffolk county (we live in Queens). the 4 meeting precana would have been difficult to coordinate with our schedules.

Registering is a NIGHTMARE!

Macy's no longer wraps registry gifts for free. They tried to charge me $5.50 to wrap a dustbuster. It was additional for the 2 trinkets I was buying for the wishing well.

Foturnoff has provided me much better service & beautiful wrapping. (free I think for registry items). I cancelled my Macy's registry because Fortunoff has all Macy's does, plus more.

I was thinking of buying a bunch of postcards while on my honeymoon and writing them out as my THANK YOU card...instead of using the traditional white stationery. Although, they will likely be mailed after we get back (since I'm not going to write them on the honeymoon). I just figure the words and sincerity will be the same as far I'm concerned...AND it will include the guests a bit more as to where we went.

Registering is a NIGHTMARE!

I havent registered yet but I worked at Fortunoff for 2 years and I have to say that their customer service is awesome. The store is neat and 99% of the time everything is in stock (unlike Macy's)They really take care of the customers. I wouldnt register any place else.

I will be honest, I have mixed feelings about the idea, I think that your older guest might not appreciate it as much, and that people look forward to the picture thank you's. But if you really wanted to do it, I would say take it one step further and have the postcards made, with a picture of you and your new hubby on your honeymoon, make sure that the picture is taken in a place that people will be able to tell that you are on your honeymoon, and maybe even have some words super imposed on the front like: Our sincere Thanks Jamelle & Mike Maui, Hawaii 2000

Actually I think that a thank you should reflect your appreciation for your gifts, and I am not sure that the post card conveys it…sorry! it's just my opinion!

Registering is a NIGHTMARE!

Something to keep in mind when registering is that all items may not be stocked by the store. For example, we registered at Fortunoff's and picked our china pattern. We have since found out that Fortunoff's doesnot stock all china patterns, some must be ordered. So, when people go to Fortunoff's to buy a place setting, you don't go home with it. You must order it and there is a 6-8 week delivery time. I asked a salesperson in the china department and she said this was normal. So, keep this in mind and possibly have somebody like your mother or groom's mother mention this to close friends and relatives. I know one of my aunts was very disappointed when she found out it would take 6 weeks to get my engagement gift!!!

Unfortunately, I was too into finding a dress to look at headpieces. I do remember some places had headpieces there but I didn't look at them or noticed the prices. Sorry!

Good Luck!! :-)

Registering is a NIGHTMARE!

When Fortunoff's doesn't have a gift in stock they will give the buyer a card saying that a place setting has been ordered so they can give that to you at your engagement party or shower or whatever.

My fiance's mother-in-law is overwhelming me. She keeps calling trying to schedule time together. I gave in and met her Monday for coffee. She then said "Let me know if you want to go dress shopping. I am free." I said "Greats, thanks. I wil call you."

Last night, I find she leaves me this message about invitations and that she's free on weekends.

Registering is a NIGHTMARE!

that's right Dorothy-- I remember getting a few of those cards in the mail :)

Last night, I find she leaves me this message about invitations and that she's free on weekends.