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.