Hello all!

I hope you are gearing up for a fun weekend outside in this GORGEOUS weather! Today I want to share with you some tips for creating your wedding registry. It was much more time consuming and stressful than I thought it would be!

1. Make a list of stores you want to visit beforehand. Compare what they can offer you!
Many stores will offer incentive programs to brides and grooms  so that they earn extra rewards after the wedding is over.  I opened a Macy’s credit card when starting my registry because they offer 5% in rewards to couples after the wedding date, in addition to 10% off all items purchased to complete their registry. 5% didn’t seem like that much to me at first, but our consultant said her daughter had about 85 people at her wedding, and had almost $400 in rewards built up!

2. Think about the style you want to show with your registry.
Sure that light blue ceramic cake stand is cute, but does it match everything else you are registering for? Think about colors, shapes and styles before you make your registry. And girls, make sure to talk to your fiance BEFORE you register for floral printed dishware! My fiance, Trey didn’t want to go begin a registry with me and my mom, but we decided beforehand that I could pick a more feminine china pattern, but he could do something modern and edgy for the everyday dishware.

The fine china pattern and stemware I picked! I love that Macy's offers a station to set everything up and see what it will look like as a place setting!

Can you tell a boy picked this? Just kidding! I really like Trey's much darker casual dining options.

3. Think Basics. What will you use the most?
Do you really need the $300 single cup coffee maker? Think realistically when you create your registry. Sure, it’s a great time to sign up for some big ticket items that a couple sets of aunts and uncles can purchase as a team, but think about what you really need and use in your daily routine. My mom and I joked about how one of the most useful things from her registry was a $35  handheld beater for mashed potatoes and cookie dough!

4. No matter how much preparation you do, you are in for a long day!
I thought I had enough preparation by taking a look at the checklists stores give you beforehand and looking at china patterns online. Oh, how wrong I was! My mom and I spent 5 HOURS in Macy’s alone on Tuesday. Sure, we took a half hour Starbucks break, but it was a physically and emotionally draining day! Luckily, our consultant was very patient, helpful and understanding, which made it so much easier for my mom and I to enjoy the process!

So my end advice for making your registry: think ahead, be practical in selections, and take your time! Bring your fiance, family member or close friend for support, and HAVE FUN! (Hard not to with those awesome scan guns!)

Happy shopping!