WISH LIST
Consider great registry advice from one recently married couple.
Five years after meeting, Nicole Koeijmans accepted Tyler Duncan’s marriage proposal. The couple spent just over a year planning their chic, modern wedding in Dallas, Texas, and also used that time to register for gifts in order to create a home together. With over 300 guests planning to attend the big day, there was a plethora of items to put on their wish list. No aspect of housewares was excluded. “I registered for china and gold flatware, as well as everyday cups, plates, silverware, mixing bowls, skillets, pots, pans, and decorative elements,” reveals Nicole. “Tyler registered for a few outdoor pieces and grilling components.”
The sweethearts selected four stores for their registry retailers: Bed Bath & Beyond, Copper Lamp, Crate and Barrel, and Z Gallerie. Selecting their dream items became a way to enjoy quality time together, as they registered for the majority of their pieces in-store instead of online. “I really liked to see exactly what I was getting, as well as the color and material used for each item,” Nicole explains. “Plus, it was just fun!” The groom admits that he had his bride take the lead, but it was largely because their styles were so in sync and he trusted her judgment. “I really liked all the stores Nicole chose,” he confirms.
For the traditional selections, such as china, the pair went to their local fine housewares store, Copper Lamp. Gold was the hue of choice, as they selected an intricately styled salad plate with a gilded design of birds and roses. Classic dinner plates had a bullion rim, and gold flatware featuring a delicate pattern completed the elegant place setting – perfect for holiday gatherings with family. To include a touch of their fun personalities with the china set, Nicole added a pop of color by choosing a dessert plate with a unique shape and indigo border. Though ideally she would have liked to receive the full set of china, the bride was touched by the generosity of their guests who gifted those pieces.
At Crate and Barrel, the focus was on everyday dishes and casual entertaining items. With practical products such as storage, along with fun cookbooks and comfortable bedding, this store was the bride’s favorite place to register for wedding gifts. “They had a great selection and lots of options,” she affirms. “The staff was also super helpful and well-informed.” Some of her mosttreasured gifts came from Crate and Barrel, particularly all of the pots and pans the couple now uses in their kitchen, as well as their bedding.
However, Bed Bath & Beyond was the source for a gift especially loved by both Nicole and Tyler: an outdoor grill, so they can cook their very own Texas barbecue. The popular retailer was where they found many of their kitchen basics, such as frying pans, a toaster oven, and a slow cooker. The best benefit of Bed Bath & Beyond was the convenience. “They have stores in Midland and Dallas, so all of our guests had easy access if they wanted to go into the store to pick out the gifts,” explains the bride.
To express the same style that was evident in their chic wedding, Nicole and Tyler added some unique decorative items from Z Gallerie to their wish list. While the bride was a fan of the pieces, she found the website was not as user-friendly for her loved ones and she often had to manually mark gifts as purchased after receiving them. While the technical side was not as easy as she hoped, the décor items the newlyweds received helped to beautifully complete the look of their home.
For recently engaged couples who are starting the registry process, Nicole advises them to have fun and try not to stress about it too much. “You can always return things if you realize you don’t need them,” she notes. As for Tyler, he jokingly suggests largely staying out of the way as a groom, but to “be helpful when asked.”