It’s that time of year, when invitations for weddings and other special events start landing in our mailboxes. To give you a jump-start, here’s a list of our favorites—a few new ideas and others traditionally obvious. (After all, sometimes it’s not worth messing with a good idea.)
1. Simon Pearce glassware. Simple, timeless, décor-proof, and beautiful are all adjectives to describe the offerings from this Irish designer. From glassware and serving pieces to vases and lamps, Simon Pearce can outfit your entire home. Give us anything from Simon Pearce, and we’re over the moon, specially if it’s monogrammed. Be sure to register online at simonpearce.com so that you’ll receive emails about their seconds sales happening a few times a year. The discounts are so great that you can continue to feed your habit even if you’re buying only for yourself.
2. KitchenAid mixer. This is one of those expensive items that you may question whether anyone really needs. But once a bride uses it, she’ll wonder how she ever managed without it. And check out the KitchenAid Blue Collection from Martha Stewart available at department stores like Macy’s, which is especially fun—love the color!
3. Honeymoon registry. This is one of the greatest registry ideas ever created. Go to thebigday.honeymoonwishes.com, giftmaui.com, or any of the other honeymoon gift sites where brides and grooms can register for their hotel, plane tickets, dinners for two, snorkeling adventures, and hula lessons. It’s a great way for any couple to plan a dream honeymoon.
4. Home Depot or Lowe’s registry. A wet-dry vac, cordless drill, and dehumidifier certainly sound at odds with the normal wedding vocabulary of tulle and lace, but they’re all great investments. Help the bride stock up up now on an outdoor grill, washer and dryer, and lawn mower. What these gifts lack in glamour, they certainly make up for in practicality.
5. The Joy of Cooking. Every bride will eventually need to know how to cook a turkey for Thanksgiving, trim a filet for New Year’s Eve, and boil eggs for Easter, and she’ll reach for The Joy of Cooking every time. Even if she’s a seasoned cook, this basic guide is indispensable—there’s a reason why it’s been around for 77 years and is still a perennial best-seller. And while you’re at it, gift a few more cookbooks from your favorite cooks—we love Ina Garten, Julia Child, and Rachael Ray.
6. Good cookware. All-Clad is one of our favorites and is used in Martha Stewart’s test kitchens, but Calphalon and Le Creuset are also great choices. These are all expensive, so look for full sets, where you can often save money or get a saucepan thrown in for free. Just be sure to steer clear of Teflon, which could pose a health threat.
7. Electronics. In today’s economy, many couples will be entertaining more at home, so everyone craves an entertainment room worthy of guests—which means a flat-screen television, Bose theater system, gaming systems, or all of the above.
8. China. Even if brides think they’ll never need fine china, take our word for it that a china service actually will come in handy when the bride has to entertain special guests at some point, or when the couple will be happy to have pretty dessert plates for a family party.
9. Bed linens. There’s nothing quite like a great set of sheets to sleep on for the rest of your life. If you want the Rolls-Royce of linens, check out Frette and D. Porthault. But our absolute favorite find is New Jersey’s own Boll & Branch, that offers Frette-like quality at a fraction of the price. Whatever you decide on, make sure to actually feel them before you buy. While high-thread counts are generally preferred, not everyone likes the feel of satin, or 300-thread-count may feel just as good as a 600-count to you, so there’s no point spending the extra money. Choosing sheets can be a personal preference. Like fine wine, they’ll only get better with time…and each washing.
10. Wine glasses. And speaking of wine, everyone needs a great set of wine glasses, even if you don’t drink. Riedel (available at Target) makes a great line that is simple looking, will complement most other glass styles, and is ergonomically designed to maximize drinking pleasure for each type of wine. For example, the opening width and glass depth on a red-wine glass are the perfect size to allow red wine to breathe as it should. And while you’re at it, throw in a wine-of-the-month club, which is a really fun way for any couple to celebrate their wedding all year long. Cheers!
Thanks to our sister publication, New Jersey Bride, and editor Molly Tully for sharing this fun post.