My Wedding Is Just Around the Corner—Come With Me to Build My Registry

If there's one reason to get married, it's the excuse to build a wedding registry. Finding your soulmate is great and all that, but there's no joy like furnishing your home without having to spend a single dollar. Obviously, I'm kidding, but I'm very serious about the registry part, and when that day comes, I'll be heading straight to Bloomingdale's. I had the pleasure of joining our director of integrated marketing and bride-to-be, ShariAnn Arena, for her registry appointment at this iconic retailer, and I'll cut straight to the chase: We had an absolute blast.

We were joined by Bloomingdale's in-house experts and registry consultants Lorrain Eichen and Valerie Bodie to chat through ShariAnn's big day and the must-have items she wanted to include on her registry. Bloomingdale's had everything on her and her fiancé's wish list, including best-in-class cookware and the most beautiful glassware I've ever seen. Plus, the perks of registering with Bloomingdale's are unbeatable, according to ShariAnn. No other retailer can compare to this completely personal experience. We left feeling like we had made new friends, and ShariAnn was able to create the registry of her dreams. Keep reading to learn more about the space, the incredible perks, and products.

If you've ever been to Bloomingdale's on 59th Street in New York City, you know it's a vast space, always bustling with New Yorkers and tourists alike. Tucked in the corner of its Homes section is its registry space, a serene escape from the rest of the store. Here, Lorraine and Valerie got to know ShariAnn, her love story, and what was important to her and her fiancé in this process. They were our guides while we explored the store and its endless selection of products, and they tailored the experience to ShariAnn's wish list.

Now, let's get to the good stuff: the perks. Once the consultants got to know ShariAnn, they presented her with the most generous gift bag and registry guide. Before heading to the product displays, ShariAnn got to preview the collections and review a registry checklist. The additional benefits beyond this personalized shopping experience include discounts on fashion and beauty items to outfit you or your parents for every wedding occasion, a gift tracker to view who purchased what (perfect for writing thank-you cards), and the ability to return any item up to a year after your wedding. Not to mention you can end your registry experience with some Forty Carrots frozen yogurt. (Do not skip that part.)

Our Bloomingdale's consultants said it best: "No one wants to gift you a meat tenderizer for your wedding," so always go for a high-low mix to provide options for your guests. An under-$100 Le Creuset piece belongs on your registry just as much as a state-of-the-art Breville espresso machine. And don't be afraid to throw in group gift options. For that, Valerie and Lorraine recommended luggage and towel sets. Bloomingdale's has every covetable brand from Rimowa to Wüsthof to Baccarat to Waterford. It's a dreamland of luxe home essentials with a wide range of prices.

If you're a bride, start your registry in person or online here.