It is a strange invention of modern times, the registry. It's also been a point of contention between my groom and I. Originally, we both baulked at the idea entirely. We've been together for so long and we've been in our new house for a year surely we have everything we need. We aren't exactly your typical kids armed with scanner guns, itchy fingers and empty rooms to fill. It just seems rude to ask for more stuff. So, the idea was foreign and didn't immediately appeal to us.
We tried to "make it our own". We batted around non-traditional registry ideas. One idea was to post a list of home improvement/landscaping projects we needed help on the wedding site and let people pledge time. The biggest problem is that committing to a project, coordinating schedules for volunteers and contingency plans for bad weather, etc is too complicated. Also, an out of town loved one wanting to wish us well wouldn't be able to participate. It was after we gave up on the idea entirely and posted as much in the FAQ's of our site, that I started to hear feedback.
My bridesmaids were taken a back by my attitude and convinced me to do a "small registry" for the sake of the bridal shower. That's when it occurred to me that the front window doesn't have a window treatment, we never got a bedroom rug, our welcome mat has holes and so on. So I told Mike I was making one and I did. Then months went by...
I made an Amazon registry because they have everything and you can add from anywhere. Keeps everything in one places and allows you to scout out the best deals. Except, just like I was talking about in my last post, I have no idea why all the wedding sites tell you to register 8months before the wedding. By the time people start buying from it you've had birthdays, Christmas, family trips to Target and acquired things. Beyond that things have gone out of stock or disappeared from store websites. What a mess.
Mike and I had to take it down and start over. It was a series of discussions and trying to out Google each other before we were both happy with what we had. Although, after the experience of starting from scratch with Mike on board I'm ready to mediate for the U.N. Seriously, I have a bit of envy for the brides who's groom make two requests and sets her free in a store. I'm very grateful to have had his feedback and to have compromised our way through our minefield of wishes and opinions.
I'm probably more excited to send out my new thank you cards I got for wedding gifts than I am about gifts themselves at this point. I have to say though, it's Christmas times ten to get a gift from the registry because not only is your wish granted, but every time the UPS guy leaves the house looks a little nicer!
