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The Golden Girl

Chicago Fashion and Lifestyle Blog

February 22, 2017

Jess & Neal’s Wedding Registry Guide

In partnership with Bed Bath & Beyond. All opinions are 110% our own 🙂 

I am SO excited to finally be able to share this post with you guys today! I’ve received quite a few questions from fellow engaged readers regarding wedding registry items (and I had quite a few myself, prior to navigating this process)–that being said…

I bring you…

Da da da!

Jess & Neal’s Ultimate Wedding Registry Guide! 

I have to admit, I was really dragging my feet with the whole registry thing. You know me–the anti-bride–the idea of spending several weekend afternoons navigating a handful of busy department stores sounded like pretty much the opposite of ANYTHING I’d ever like to be doing.

Then, Bed Bath & Beyond reached out to me, and asked if I’d like to partner with them for my registry. While I had originally just planned to pick either Crate and Barrel, Pottery Barn or Williams Sonoma and call it a day, I discovered that Bed Bath & Beyond actually carries all the brands I would’ve been registering for at those places, plus a whole lot more. Basically, they have everything from the exciting ‘ooh and ahh’ registry pieces, all the way down to the less than thrilling, but very necessary, staples–like cutting boards, baking sheets, the whole nine yards. (Meaning, ONE STOP SHOP. Hallelujah!)



So, we made a registry appointment (which, admittedly, I thought sounded unnecessary at the time–but I was very wrong, more on that in a second) and off we went to Bed Bath & Beyond!

We arrived and were greeted by Kati, our Registry Consultant, who proceeded to walk us through the process and came along with us as we made our way throughout the store. What I had not expected was needing guidance throughout this process (I’m a girl who has very distinct opinions and knows what she wants. I’m sure this comes as a big shocker to you)–but when you’re standing in front of a giant pots and pans section and asked to make a decision, it can go downhill REAL quick.

Kati took the time to ask us about our needs, our lifestyle, and helped us determine what we did or didn’t need. It was so. Helpful. It’s also so nice to just be like, “Ok. We need a toaster. Literally any toaster. Kati, which one is the best? GREAT! Okay, on to the next!” She stayed with us for the full three hours we were there, and we had her undivided attention.

Another great thing–I’ve noticed things I forgot to add to our registry in-store, and since they have pretty much their entire inventory online, it’s been really easy to complete things that way, too. Many of my friends told me they ran into issues registering in-store, only to find that many of the items they added aren’t available online, and therefore, hard for guests to purchase! That definitely isn’t the case here–which was a relief, because I honestly don’t need one more wedding related task to worry about right this moment ;-P

So, now to the most exciting part–what did we register for?! The answer is A LOT, but, there were some major favorites that really stood out. Here are our favorites:

Olivia & Oliver Gold-Rimmed China & Gold Flatware

I still can’t believe I registered for china. I never really thought it to be very practical. My mom never had china, and most of my friends decided not to register for it simply because small city kitchens don’t often have space for them. However, our kitchen on the other hand, has tons of cabinet space–so the room wasn’t the issue, it was just–when on earth would I use that? We don’t throw “dinner parties”–our table is from IKEA and seats 4 people!

Then I saw this beautiful “Madison” set by Olivia & Oliver, it’s white with gold on the rim (though they also have a silver version!), and is so chic–the plates are so flat–they’re really striking in person. I always thought china was really fragile, but this set is made of bone china–apparently, it’s the toughest stuff you can make plates out of! And they’re dishwasher friendly–that being said, I will TOTALLY use them, all the time!

I was deciding between the Madison set and the Harper set–they’re very similar, but the Harper set is organically shaped, which means it’s a little “perfectly imperfect” which I absolutely love. While I went with the more classic “Madison” set, I compromised by also registering for the Harper serving platter 😉

I’m now so excited to be able to pull out this pretty set even when it’s just Neal and I cooking a nice dinner.

Also worth noting, it’s INSANELY affordable! One set of china only costs $59.99! I hate when I look at a registry and it’s overflowing with super expensive items. I think it’s so nice that a guest can get you something as special as a set of your favorite china, and only has to spend $59 on it!

I can’t decide which I love more–the china or this gorgeous gold flatware. (EEEEEK!)

If you knew how many hours I’ve spent researching and comparing dozens of different kinds of gold flatware, I don’t know if you would even read this blog anymore, it’s so embarrassing. When I walked into the store and saw this, I literally jumped up and down.

“THIS FLATWARE SET IS THE ONE!”

I love the shape of this set, which is also made by Olivia & Oliver. It’s sleek, it’s refined, but sturdy at the same time. It’s got some weight to it but it’s not too heavy. It’s really perfect. Like the china, it’s also affordable, and only costs $49 for a 5 pc set, or $179 for a 20 piece set! (It also comes in rose gold!)

White KitchenAid Mixer

I think the KitchenAid mixer is really is the COOLEST machine. Honestly, I’m not a big baker (I’m convinced it’s because I’m terrible at math and measuring), but as you know, I love to cook. I learned there are so many other things you can do with a KitchenAid that aren’t baking related! (Although, improving my baking skills is on my list of goals for the next couple of years.)

I’m particularly excited to use the pasta rolling attachment! I’ve always wanted to make homemade pasta, and this makes it so easy! We also registered for the spiralizer attachment (ZOODLES! Those are gunna be needed for the impending #WeddingDiet) and food processor attachment. (Did you have any idea your stand mixer could be a food processor? So cool!) There’s even an ice cream maker attachment!!

Dyson V8 Cordless Vacuum

As I explained to my friend Julie (she’s also the photographer who takes my blog photos and happens to be a wee recently graduated youngster) that although hard to believe, one day, likely when she is in her late twenties, she will be excited about a vacuum cleaner.

If you’re also rolling your eyes thinking, “there is absolutely no way I will ever get excited over something like a VACUUM.”

WRONG.

You have no idea how much our Dyson V8 cordless vacuum has changed our lives. Our condo is wall to wall hardwood floors–do you know how many dust bunnies I encounter on a daily basis? Our hallway even after 1 day is absolutely coated in dust. I’m also constantly in the kitchen, which means so. Many. Constant. Crumbs. Gross!

Hauling our old vacuum out of the closet every day to take care of this? Not happening. Such a pain. It takes longer to take out and put it away than it does to do the actual vacuuming. And sweeping just seemed to kick up the dust even more!

Then we got this thing. It’s a total godsend. It’s got a special, soft attachment for hardwood floors, and attachments for rugs and carpeting as well. It’s honestly lighter than our broom, and handles like a dream. Oh, also, it happens to work 100 times better than any other vacuum I’ve ever used.

Believe the hype, people. Dyson doesn’t mess around!

Le Creuset Bakeware

Despite being an avid cook, I did not own any nice bakeware, casserole dishes, or the like. (Which made it very hard to make things like enchiladas, casseroles, er–pretty much anything you’d need a casserole dish for, you know!?)

Le Creuset makes the most beautiful, quality, long-lasting bakeware, so I’ve added quite a few of them to our registry! I know I will have them for a lifetime. (If you don’t already have a dutch oven, make sure to add a Le Creuset dutch oven to your list too!)

Zwilling J.A. Henckels  Ceramic-Coated Stainless Steel Cookware Set

I loovvvveeee these pans! They’re the slickest nonstick pans I’ve ever used, and they’re ceramic on the inside–which means that they’re non-toxic! You don’t ever have to worry about the coating peeling off, getting chemicals in your food! Plus, they’re stainless steel on the outside–absolutely beautiful! I’d love to get a pot rack so I can actually show them off!

Calphalon “Katana”Knives (Neal’s Favorite) 

I thought we had good knives.

Then I tried these Katana knives from Calphalon, which I liken to ninja daggers. They slice through anything like butter. I’ve even used them to cut day-old baguettes–psh, you would’ve thought they were serrated!

What makes these so cool? They’re made of 32 layers of stainless steel, with a Japanese steel core–look closely, and you can actually see the layers.

(Choosing these knives was one of Kati’s suggestions. Without her, we would seriously be missing out!)

Blendtec Blender

Admittedly this gem hasn’t arrived yet, so we haven’t had a chance to test it out in person! This is another time the help of Kati came in really handy–we thought we wanted a Vitamix, but Kati recommended the Blendtec based on what our needs were, especially because it’s smaller and shorter, which was essential for us, because it needed to fit on the counter under the cabinets! Ding ding ding!

KitchenAid x Nespresso Machine

We’re big Nespresso fans in our house–so when I saw that KitchenAid x Nespresso teamed up to make this machine, I fell in love! Not only is it beautiful sitting on your counter, but it makes 6 different sizes of espresso, and comes with a milk frother as well. Unlike our old Nespresso machine, this one heats up in 30 seconds and is much quieter, too!

Overall, as you probably can tell–we’re big Bed Bath & Beyond fans. We can’t say enough good things about the entire registry experience–I would recommend that any engaged couple make it their #1 registry destination!

To my engaged or married readers, what were your favorite registry items? 

P.S. Did you watch our “registering” video? Because Neal is HILARIOUS.

Filed Under: Wedding

Reader Interactions

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Comments

  1. Classic Catherine says

    February 22, 2017 at 5:26 am

    No one tells you that registering is such a HUGE research project! I always thought, “Oh how fun, we get to go pick out all our gifts!” and then it ended up being actually kind of stressful, haha. This is super helpful! I LOVE your gold-rimmed china and gold flatware so much.
    xoxo,
    Classic Catherine

    Reply
    • Jess says

      February 23, 2017 at 10:44 am

      It really is!! So many options! And yes, I’m so excited to get more sets so we can start actually using them!!

      Reply
  2. Britney says

    February 22, 2017 at 7:25 am

    Oh my gosh- your china is gorgeous! I want a re-do on mine! 😉 We use our china for special occasions and holidays. Even if we make waffles on Christmas Eve morning, you can bet we’re pulling out the good stuff! It just makes everything feel a little more fancy and a lot more special. I also love our Kitchen Aid mixer. Hands down the best wedding gift we received. I use it at least once a week. Have fun as more gifts come in! 🙂
    Oh, and one embarrassing (to me) story, but one that will make you love BB&B even more… we received one more place setting for our every day dishes than we needed. At the time, I thought we could just keep it in storage in case something broke. Well, I was cleaning out our basement recently and decided that it doesn’t make sense to keep an extra set lying around. Everything was perfectly in the box just as I opened it. So, I decided to take it to the store to see if I could return it for store credit, as the same set is still available in the stores today- I mean, what’s the harm in that? They took the place setting back without any issue, and I got store credit. Our wedding was in 2012, and I took it back in January of this year.. so, yeah. Bed Bath & Beyond is totally the best!

    Reply
    • Jess says

      February 23, 2017 at 10:43 am

      OMG I love this story–one more reason to be in love with them. It’s seriously the best store! This totally sounds like something I would do too hahah

      Reply
  3. Erin @ Her Heartland Soul says

    February 22, 2017 at 8:37 am

    Great registry picks! Josh and I are coming up on four married years this summer. Time flies when you’re having fun! 😀

    Reply
    • Jess says

      February 23, 2017 at 10:42 am

      Ahh happy early anniversary lady! I know, it seems like the older I get the faster time flies. I can’t imagine how fast it’s going to go once we’re married!

      Reply
  4. Megan says

    February 22, 2017 at 9:15 am

    Jess, first of all you look gorgeous in red. Goodness!! Also so many great picks

    // http://lifeplusbe.com/

    Reply
    • Jess says

      February 23, 2017 at 10:42 am

      Thank you Megan! You are so sweet!

      Reply
  5. Diana Pearl says

    February 22, 2017 at 9:50 am

    I’m 24, I just bought my first vacuum and I’m actually in love with it. So the vacuum love comes early! God it just so much easier + more effective than a swiffer! ADORE your china too!

    x Diana // http://www.dianapearl.com

    Reply
    • Jess says

      February 23, 2017 at 10:42 am

      Hahaha oh good I’m glad to hear that! You are much more mature than I was at age 24, Diana 😛

      Reply
  6. Naomi says

    February 22, 2017 at 9:55 am

    I love that red top!!

    Reply
    • Jess says

      February 23, 2017 at 10:41 am

      Thanks Naomi!

      Reply
  7. Devon says

    February 22, 2017 at 10:35 am

    Such good picks! I am OBSESSED with that china!! So cute! And I totalllllly feel you on the vacuum thing, haha. 😉 xo Devon Seventeen Dresses

    Reply
    • Jess says

      February 23, 2017 at 10:41 am

      Thanks Devon!! Glad I’m not the only one with a vacuum obsession 😛

      Reply
  8. Lisa says

    February 22, 2017 at 12:22 pm

    I remember reading that you were skeptical about it, but I think you’ll be happy you registered for china! We went for a simple, classic pattern too (Kate Spade Library Lane Platinum), and pulling it out makes any occasion feel extra special! Eating takeout pizza on our wedding china instead of our normal plates turns an ordinary day into a memorable little celebration 🙂 All the pieces you chose are beautiful!

    Reply
    • Jess says

      February 23, 2017 at 10:41 am

      Yes! I’m so excited about it now! I just needed to find the perfect set 🙂 Hahah and I’m totally stealing the pizza idea!

      Reply
  9. Samantha Tananbaum says

    February 22, 2017 at 1:13 pm

    This is adorable…and it makes me want to get married again so I can register again! JK husband, but really, love your picks and definitely checking out that vacuum!

    xx
    Sam

    Reply
    • Jess says

      February 23, 2017 at 10:40 am

      Thanks Samantha! OMG the Dyson is seriously a life-changer! I can’t say enough good things!

      Reply
  10. Nina says

    February 22, 2017 at 2:58 pm

    Hi Jess! Thanks for this post. Are you able to disclose whether you received all of those products courtesy of Bed, Bath, and Beyond, or whether they were gifted to you by wedding guests? Just wondering if they were part of the compensation from BBB for partnering with them. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Jess says

      February 23, 2017 at 10:39 am

      Hi Nina, the products you see in the photos were gifted for photography purposes as part of the partnership, but they are items on our actual registry. For example, we got one set of our china and one set of our flatware so I could photograph it, but have since been gifted additional sets by guests. There was no minimum or requirements of items I had to include or anything to put in this post either–everything you see here was 100% chosen by us–I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions!

      Reply
  11. Kelsey says

    February 23, 2017 at 8:22 pm

    Hi Jess! I just added this china to my registry after reading your blog this morning. We had some Kate Spade on there, but feel like this price point is much more reasonable for our guests. Do you know anything about a warranty from this brand?

    Reply
    • Jess says

      February 23, 2017 at 8:53 pm

      Hi Kelsey! I do not know about the warranty, that’s a really good question but probably one that they could answer for you at the store! The Madison is carried at the Clybourn location, but I’m not sure about the Harper! Let me ask them and get right back to you!

      Reply
    • Stuart McConaghy says

      May 9, 2017 at 10:47 am

      Hi Kelsey, I’m a Registry Manager with Bed Bath & Beyond, albeit on the East Coast, but if you receive something through your Bed Bath & Beyond registry you’re covered – we can replace and exchange anything purchased by your guests, and your registry is its own gift receipt, so you don’t have to worry! I really love the Madison set myself, and we recently expanded the Olivia & Oliver line to include picture frames, dessert sets, cake toppers, and some really gorgeous toasting flutes!

      Reply
      • Kelsey says

        May 9, 2017 at 11:04 am

        Hi Stuart! Thanks for your response! We ordered one to see in person and we are both loving it!

        Reply
        • Stuart McConaghy says

          May 9, 2017 at 11:44 am

          Awesome! Glad to hear you love it!

          Reply
  12. Jean says

    March 13, 2017 at 5:33 pm

    Hi Jess! I love your red top, could you include a link to it? Thanks!

    Reply
  13. Anamika Chopra says

    July 16, 2020 at 5:33 am

    Gift registry is such a cool concept. Now to see bed bath and beyond collab with them for a registry is just awesome and it is great that they do provide warranty for their products

    Reply

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