In this edition of The Gift, we're making the case for eschewing a wedding registry in favor of bridal shower goodies. Plus, groomsmen gifts that aren't lame.
My fiancé and I met on the job (not this one!) eight years ago, when I was in editorial and he was in IT. Accordingly, he has an appreciation for things that don't rust, warp, or otherwise glitch out.
When we moved in together a few years back, there was an onslaught of packages at the doorstep. A loyal Wirecutter reader, my fiancé was stocking up on picks: There were the Nordic Ware baking sheets for roasting veggies, Tramontina pots and pans for pasta, and a cast-iron skillet that makes the best sauteed salmon. One of my favorites is the pre-seasoned wok where we stir-fry Filipino garlic rice almost as good as my future mother-in-law's.
All happen to be Wirecutter wedding registry go-tos. You might see where this is going.
When we got engaged this past winter, the questions (and advice) started rolling in. Where are you getting married? You should hire a wedding planner. Of all the interrogations, the registry question was an easy no. We simply didn't need more stuff -- especially since our storage closet is also our shared office.
I'm not eschewing registries altogether. When my sisters -- and future maids of honor -- decided to throw me a bridal shower, I had a different idea. Haunted by visions of ill-fitting lingerie and cheesy tank tops emblazoned with "Mrs.", I decided to make a bridal shower registry.
In some ways, weddings, registries, and the very idea that couples don't have their own lives (and Cuisinarts) are outdated. But a registry can serve as the gift of clarity for a certain type of guest.
The idea is that I'll guide my friends and family to the things I need to enjoy the wedding and honeymoon, with a few extra items for the life we plan to build ahead. It's a compromise between an old way of doing things and my own preferences, which, I hear, is what marriage is all about.
Here's how I'm hoping to celebrate one of the biggest days of my life -- and some inspiration if you know a bride (or anyone!) embarking on a next chapter without all of the traditional milestones or gifting occasions.
Lastly, I do have a few housewares on the bridal registry for wedding guests who insist. I would love this gorgeous azurite and lapis bread knife. I also would cherish these brass candle holders that we could break out for special occasions or just romantic dinners at home -- some guiding lights for our next chapter.