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"When you register, we recommend coming into any of our 28 nationwide locations,” says the registry director of Bloomingdale’s. "If you’re a Manhattan bride, you’re best served coming into our 59th Street store. You can make an appointment to have one of our consultants walk you through the process, so you can ask all the questions you need answered.
“The beauty of coming into a store,” she says, “is getting to see, touch, and feel the full assortment of products, and receiving personalized service from a registry consultant.” With stores in New York, White Plains, New Jersey, and Long Island, there are many to choose from in the tri-state area. “But we’re also on the Internet and you can register online, and then add to or review your registry." Friends and family nationwide can go to any Bloomingdale’s and pull up the same registry. “If they’re not near a store, they can go to the website and pull up your registry.” “I suggest coming in and walking through our home store,” says the registry director. “Decide which styles you like. “Are you modern? Are you traditional? Do you like floral designs? Do you like clean designs? Our consultants are happy to talk to you about your personal style. We try to get to know you when we sit down together so we can make suggestions on items, collections, and resources. “At Bloomingdale’s, you can register for not only the tabletop, but the table itself, plus the bed, the bath, luggage, furniture, and mattresses! “That’s the advantage of coming into a store as complete as ours — you have access to the entire home store as well as to all other areas.” They’re now adding home entertainment to the registry, which includes televisions and ipods. “When you’re at one of our stores selecting your china, our consultant will show you different stems and sets of flatware that look best with it, as well as linens and napkins you may want to add to the table. Playing with the merchandise is the best way to do it.”
“But, if they are given the guidance and service they need, they usually don’t change their minds. If a consultant is asking them the right questions and getting to know the couple and their style, they usually love what they get.” Bloomingdale’s also evaluates the registries on a regular basis. “We try to get the names of some key people from the bride — her maid of honor, her mother, and the mother of the groom, so we can call and ask, ‘Is she having a shower? Is she having any other type of celebration?’ “Then we review the registry to ensure that there are the appropriate number of gifts in each price category. So we call our bride and make some suggestions.” Bloomingdale’s also give you a complete “Planner Book,” which includes various china and crystal patterns and other product categories you can review. “Many brides use the planner to get ideas of what they really want to register for. “We did a new book, and it is be a wonderful gift for any couple who is registering, which they’ll be able to use for years to come.” Bloomingdale’s also shows a full product assortment online, “particularly in china, crystal, and silver. If you think of something you forgot to do in the store, you can always go to the website and add that item or make a change.”
Your Personal Consultant, plus Special Services “We also have a very generous completion program,” she says, noting that they offer the bridal couple the opportunity to purchase off their registry at a 10 percent discount after they’ve already been married. “Couples don’t always receive everything they register for. The completion discount gives them an opportunity to buy those items that they really wanted.” “Our completion discount lasts for six months and our consultants will contact the bridal couples to let them know key promotional events.” Bloomingdale’s also does various registry events throughout the area. “We have fashion designers showing bridal gowns and accessories, wedding cake professionals, florists, and other professionals at our events, so our brides can learn what’s available, and many brides bring their friends, family, or fiancé.” Announcing Your Registry, Thanking Your Gift-Givers
Bloomingdale’s supplies notification cards you can mail along with your engagement announcements or shower invitations to let guests know where you are registered. Bloomingdale’s also encloses a gift card with every gift you receive, so you know who bought it for you. “If they purchase a gift in the store, they would hand-write their own gift card and we enclose it in the box. Should they buy a gift online, there’s a little field where they type in their gift message, and that gets enclosed with the gift.” The gift-giver also can ask to have the gift delivered to them, for a bridal shower, for example. “People like to arrive at the shower with a gift. For the wedding itself, people usually ship it to the couple’s home. “We give every new registry a packet of monogrammed gift cards to use, as thank you cards. But any type of handwritten note expressig your appreciation and mentioning the gift is always a nice way to thank your guests.” "Registry is wonderful. This is the most exciting time in someone’s life!”
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