Help me add house building related items to our wedding registry!

6 years ago

Hello all!

I've been a little inactive from here lately since we're still in the process of installing telephone poles on our land and saving the down payment we need to start construction. Not much to report! We also happen to be getting married this September, which is why I am here!

With weddings come registries, which is when you get to add all the stuff you'd need to start our living together like kitchen tools and whatnot. Since my fiance and I have been living together for 4 years already (and we can't really "upgrade" our old towels and bedding until we know what colors we're painting our rooms), we decided to make our registry a little more practical.

We want to add the small house building stuff! Things like light switches and outlet panels, thermostats, cans of paint, etc.

Since many of you are in the stage of building where all that little stuff starts to come into play and add up, I'd love for you all to toss ideas out. I'm drawing a blank and could use some inspiration.

Anything you can think of, nothing is a "wrong" answer :)

Featured Answer

PRO

Mark Bischak, Architect

6 years ago

Roof trusses for a wedding present . . . this is a different world we're living in.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (23)

lakeerieamber
6 years ago
Light bulbs. Lots and lots of them.
kalenangel
6 years ago
You could ask for Home Depot or Lowes gift cards (or whatever hardware store is local to you).
Related Discussions
Help me plan for building a new custom home FAST
Q
Comments (41)
LAURA12:: You didn't see your name at the top of two of these replies in bold, to the right of a pink star, one response each for your two posts? :P This forum has provided me with some great feedback, but the layout, search features and almost everything about the website itself could be improved and made more user friendly. 'Skeptical', maybe. Maybe 'ignorant', 'naive' or 'just starting' plus 'stubborn' (or if we're gonna be friends, 'determined') would more precisely describe my mentality lol. I saw FHA, new construction and other very affordable down % and took that into my want for a custom home, not realizing that the custom requires more up front. Your cost breakdown is quite helpful and the $150/sqft mark makes sense when I consider the prices I've seen for houses other than ticky-tacky. This one here we're currently renting sold last April sold for something like $91/sqft, and the more I'm seeing, the more I realize how good a deal that purchase was. I'm now more strongly leaning toward more of a mass construction and I'll be sure to keep asking about any kinds of alterations with regards to resale value. You mentioned something about affordable contractors in the area?
...See More
Kids off to college - is it time to build our dream home?
Q
Comments (63)
Wow! What amazing words of wisdom - thank you for all your comments. Just to add a little color on some of the questions that were asked: We had our 3 kids very early, so while they are all off to college now my wife and I are still relatively young (48 & 46, respectively). We are still very healthy and active so we probably won't think seriously about retiring until we are around 55 or so. We have been working with an amazing architect over the past several months. He has been incredibly thoughtful in the design and flow of our house. It is absolutely beautiful. We are in the Midwest so part of the square footage includes basement space. The current design has about 3,600 sq ft on the main floor, 1,600 sq on the 2nd floor and about 2,200 finished sq ft in the basement for a total of roughly 7,400 sq feet of finished space. This does not include the 6-car garage, pool area or outdoor space. The first floor is pretty normal - foyer, kitchen, dining room, great room, master suite w/attached laundry, pantry, mud room, office, music room, lanai and a couple of half-baths. The 2nd floor has 3 bedroom suites and a laundry room The basement is where all the "nice to have's reside" For example, we have a large bar area, wine cellar, TV room, fitness room, dry sauna, play room (for future grandchildren), pool bathroom and a bunch of storage. The basement also walks out to a covered outdoor kitchen area which then flows into the pool area. We entertain a ton so we designed the basement to be very open and spacious. We also have a lake house that is a couple hours away. Honestly, we are thinking of selling it because we are not sure we will ever want to leave this house... although I think our kids will protest quite heavily because they love to go to the lake! The house will sit on roughly .75 acres. We fully intend on outsourcing all the landscaping, yard work and pool maintenance. We both have pretty demanding jobs and don't really want to spend all our free time pushing a mower around or cleaning a pool. No offense to anyone - we have done this work for years, but the older we get the less appealing it is. We are installing a geothermal system that will not only heat and cool the house and provide hot water, but it will also heat the pool very efficiently. We are also going heavy with insulation, windows and doors. We had an energy study performed and all indications are that our utility bills should not be significantly higher than our current house. Long story short - we are going to go for it! Maybe in 10 or 15 years it will be too much for us to handle, but until then we are going to squeeze every ounce of enjoyment out of this house and create some wonderful memories with our family. Thank you again to everyone who contributed to this thread. We are sincerely thankful for your input.
...See More
Building Our First Home - Can't Decide on Builder or Floor Plan
Q
Comments (56)
Have you looked at other Wedding venues and tried to pick their brains on all the issues you need to be aware of in setting this plan in motion? Have you considered building with a Bed and Breakfast Inn and make your living quarters part of a house and eventual complex. This is what I am talking about developing a Master Plan. Actually, a Business Plan as well. Get educated on local codes, zoning etc. because there might be areas that simply won’t let you do what you want to do. This is another reason to sit down with an architect and s/he can outline potential issues. Then weave in your personal short term objectives. Start with the end in mind. You may be jumping into the pool at the deep end to start to learn how to swim. It can be done, but you can drown too. Any home should have every bedroom with ensuite bathroom. At some point, you might want a separate home and then this house would be readily converted to a B&B for guests of wedding party members etc. it is an exciting venture but get informed. Meet with people who understand and can help you gain knowledge before you go much further. Hoping to help you avoid costly mistakes. This is not a small endeavor.
...See More
First time home build - would appreciate review of our floor plan
Q
Comments (22)
Does anything stand out as unusual or impractical? It's almost double the size of an average American house. Your main floor has a large family space plus an away space ... why the whole basement as well? It'll be at least a decade -- and probably another house -- 'til the kids want to be separated from you. One thing we're wrestling with with is our kitchen island size I think you're falling victim to "this is what nice houses have" syndrome. Why do you need a breakfast table (not a nook -- nooks are tucked away spaces) PLUS a large island with seating ... located literally within arm's reach of one another? And I'd venture to guess another outdoor table only steps away. How many eating spaces do you actually need? I'd say choose one or the other ... if you go with the island, enlarge it a bit /make it really nice, not stools lined up so no one can talk comfortably ... if you go with the table, shorten the island to allow for circulation (and don't neglect the space you'll need when chairs are pulled out ... this table is in the center of your floorplan, making it a major thoroughfare. Our breakfast table is 3 1/2' round -- definitely go with a round table in this area -- and it's ideal for 4-5 people. We never put food on the table; rather, we serve plates from the stovetop for casual weekday meals. Don't forget that you want to be able to reach the back door. Currently it sits 6' from the stove so we can move it over at least a foot to 5' away 6' between the stove and island seems to be too much. 4' would be better. Another question is whether the master shower at 5' x 6' is just strangely large. Yes. In my opinion (and I spent several years measuring friends' showers and hotel showers to develop this opinion), showers shouldn't be more than 3 1/2' - 4' wide. Why? Because once you pass that width, you're kind of out in the middle of a too-big space, which feels uncomfortably exposed. If you one day need grab bars, the walls'll be too far apart for them to be reachable. However, this is an easy fix. Just reduce the size of the shower and center the tub on the open wall. Overall, I think a lot of your things are over-optimized. This may not be just as bad as under-sized, but it's a problem. You don't want over-sized ... you want right-sized. Have you measured friends' houses, etc. to see what sizes you actually prefer? The laundry room is on the second floor adjacent to the master bedroom. I'd bump the machines to the left /make it easier to vent the dryer. I personally would leave the laundry room door open most of the time, so I think this is a good spot for a pocket door. I'd also double the window in the laundry room so it would allow more light into the hallway. If you're going with modern front-loader machines, which are pretty deep, this laundry room isn't any too wide. Someone commented on the double doors to the mbr, are there issues with double doors? They seem to be common on mid to higher end houses around here. Again "this is what nice houses have" syndrome. Things that are common aren't necessarily desirable. Double doors require two hands to open ... and the light switches must be placed either behind the door or too far from the door for comfort. And what's the gain? Nothing. Well, if you're working with a small space, you might want your doors to "park" in a smaller area, but that doesn't seem to be a problem ere. In fact, I'd consider a 17' long master. What are you going to do with the space at the foot of the bed? Nothing. It's just empty space. Imagine you put a TV on the wall ... it's 17' away ... too far for easy vision, and you have to turn up the volume. Do pocket doors wear over time? We would prefer to keep them closed so the mud room to kitchen area would be closed most of the time. Yes, they do wear out, and they're harder for little fingers to open. I personally would go with a pocket door here anyway ... because I'd keep the door open most of the time. An alternative: A swinging door. Other thoughts: - I understand that you like to cook (and you will again once the kids are a bit older), but a larger kitchen is in no way a better kitchen. This much cabinetry is going to cost a fortune, and much of it is likely to end up as clutter-space. - Is that a pantry in the middle of the house? Again, this would be a good place for a pocket door. Note that your standard hinged door covers up a big portion of your shelves, meaning you'd have to go into the pantry /close the door to access these items. OR, this might be a place for double doors on swing hinges (swing hinged doors don't require hands to open). - The dining room isn't exactly close to the kitchen -- it's not absolutely ridiculously far, but neither is is conveniently placed. Consider the steps that'll be necessary to transport food, plates, drinks to the dining room. The butler's pantry half-way between is a good place for a buffet set-up ... be sure to include a few outlets there so you can run a crock pot in this area. - Is that empty room across from the stairs a half-bath? If not, it should be! You absolutely need a bathroom on your main living level. - Upstairs you're over-bathed (plus another full bath in the basement and what I think is a half bath on the main floor). You'll run yourself ragged keeping these bathrooms clean /keeping toiletries and toilet paper in them each. And only one of the upstairs baths (the one that shares a wall with the laundry room) looks to be adequately sized /comfortable. The others have minimal sink space, meaning no storage for the kids as they grow older. I'd go with ONE nice-sized bathroom open to the hallway. So much less money, so much less work.
...See More
User
6 years ago
Door hardware. Cabinet Hardware. Light fixtures. Garage door opener. Appliances. Microwave. Fireplace. Plumbing fixtures.
User
6 years ago
I second the appliances. Sometimes people like to go in together on big items.
PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
6 years ago
Architectural service?
PRO
Virgil Carter Fine Art
6 years ago
Why would you ask for anything decorative or that's a finish material, unless you want your home to look like a garage sale?

Instead, perhaps consider things that are not visible or aesthetic for either outside or inside your house...perhaps a...lawn mower or riding tractor; garden tools; a year's supply of dishwasher detergent; a water softener; garage storage units; etc.!

Good luck!
cpartist
6 years ago
Why would you ask for anything decorative or that's a finish material, unless you want your home to look like a garage sale?

With a wedding registry, you specify exactly what you want. The style, the color, the size, etc.
PRO
Virgil Carter Fine Art
6 years ago
CPA, I get it. But do you suppose one can compose an integrated interior design registry list, i.e., paint, finish materials, decorative items, hardware and all sorts of other highly visible items which will all be fully and completely integrated and compatible?

That's hard enough for an experienced professional to achieve over a period of week or months. If a first-time consumer can do it for an entire new custom house and put it all in a written list my hat's off to them...:-)
Najeebah
6 years ago
Congratulations :)
The exact items can be specified for a gift registry, and should be for items of this kind. In any case, those are some good suggestions from Virgil.
Tools are invaluable. Light switches, taps and other fixtures and fittings are necessary items. also think of door knobs, drawer handles, etc, window coverings, window latches

you'll end up with an unusual registry. consider that neither your guests nor suppliers are very used to this type of transaction. depending on the type of items you include, this may be inconsequential, or it may pose challenges, for instance regarding returns after some months, batch differences, etc. you did say small building stuff, but how small is small?
you can go ahead with this and leave the option of monetary gifts as well
BethA
6 years ago
We registered at Lowe's when we got married. They may still offer the service. Check Home Depot, too. I second the tools and light bulb suggestion. Also look at things like a wheel barrow, maybe plumbing fixtures (those are fairly standard and shouldn't change due to color or batch differences), specific light fixtures. You may register for things, but people end up getting gift cards (that would make me happy).
Kelsey Janak
Original Author
6 years ago
Just to add some context - my fiance and his grandfather own the business building our house and his grandfather is our GC, so he's aware.

And because of that, we have every tool ever created LOL. Otherwise that's a great suggestion!

Loving the door knobs and lightbulbs and plumbing fixtures! I'll probably hold off on kitchen hardware until we're 100% sure we're getting the cabinets we want.

Also, we are registered on Amazon, which also allows us to add items from any other website (so Home Depot, Lowes, etc). While we really only want cash anyway to put towards our construction loan down payment (and I originally had a small registry to get that point across because apparently asking for gift cards/money is considered rude in wedding etiquette), I've been told I cannot have a bridal shower without physical gifts, and my mom has already booked the place for the shower! So now I'm adding away haha.
josephene_gw
6 years ago
I gavè my son and bride a very nice picnic table yrs ago.

so patio stuff.
PRO
Virgil Carter Fine Art
6 years ago
Plywood is also a good idea; bags of cement; lots and lots of 2X4s and 2X6s... :-)
PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
6 years ago
Have you thought about the reception table centerpieces yet??
Kelsey Janak
Original Author
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
@Mark Bischak, Architect - Of course. We've had all out vendors booked since last year and I'm just working on the DIY little details now. Our centerpieces are actually cut logs from our land (wedding is located in NH/Maine in the White Mountains, so the "theme" is mountains/forest/woods). Attached is a rough, unfinished mock of one.

Why do you ask? Haha
Kelsey Janak
Original Author
6 years ago
@Virgil Carter Fine Art - I was worried about asking for lumber since I'm not sure if there are specific brand/grades (like the treated kind) I should get, but I supposed our GC could answer that. Definitely can't go wrong with 2x4's!

My whole family knows the only thing in the world I care about is this house, so it's not surprising to them our registry looks like this LOL. I'm too much of a practical person to ask for towels and kitchen aid mixers.
PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
6 years ago
I was wondering what building part(s) you would incorporate into the centerpieces.
Allison Oreck
6 years ago
That's such a smart idea! Are you doing it in person or online? Does Home Depot have a registry? I know they have stuff like mixers, towels, etc. too!
lookintomyeyes83
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
*looks around library that's currently functioning as a tool chest for ideas*

For your own sanity:
- gift cards for home improvement stores. There is always a billion little things you need.
- gift cards for the liquor commission - for when you can't deal with the billionth problem that goes wrong
- massage gift certificates - for when painting makes your shoulders and neck ache, but your STILL not done painting...
- movie tickets - for when your exhausted AND broke, and just want a night out.
For doing work yourselves:
- Painters tape. Don't ask how much of the stuff you'll go through!
- Brad nails for the nailgun when installing trim. Again, its amazing how many thousand you go through!
- rags. For staining, cleaning paint of surfaces it shouldn't have gone, dirty hands...
- tape measures...because even if you have 6, you'll only ever find 1 at a time
- a GOOD stud finder
- spackle for when you accidentally knock something over dent your newly painted walls, and new knives for when your SO washes them and leaves them in the sink to rust...
- respirator with replacement cartridges - so that you aren't dying with a major headache and sore throat after staining all of your doors/trim...
- long screws to match your door hardware. (We found these hard to find in certain colors). It sucks when your builder drops them, and replaces the missing ORB one with a shiny brass one...
- undercutting saw (if installing flooring), or one of those multi-tools with the undercutting blade.
- plastic-type prybars - for when you install something wrong and need to 'delicately' redo it...
Other 'things' you may not have thought of including in your home, or want to upgrade:
- whole home surge protector
- fancier doorbell
- exterior lighting
- outdoor bench/seating
- BBQ!
- yardwork tools - rakes, shovels, lawnmower accessories, garbage cans, recycling bins
- tool chest and/or pegboard and hook set for the massive amount of tools you've bought!
- decorative air/floor registers
Najeebah
6 years ago
If all went according to plan, the wedding would have been some months back.

How did it all go, Kelsey?
Kelsey Janak
Original Author
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Yes! We got married on September 17th and it was absolutely amazing!

We added the thngs like lightbulbs, home automation things (so smart lightbulbs and switches and whatnot), Ecobee thermostats, light switches, door knob handles, a garage door opener, and three cans of paint.

We also added the things we would need for the rooms we have already designed such as our main floor powder room and master bedroom.

For my bridal shower, I received everything we need for the powder room (faucet, soap dispenser, trash bucket, mirror, light fixtures, towel hanger, tissue box, and toilet paper holder. We also received a lot of the master bedroom decor such as our bed (YAY), headboard, sheets/comforter, and a throw blanket. We also got one of the two thermostats and a few other various kitchen/pantry things I had on the registry.

For the actual wedding, we got probably 95% cash, which was perfect. We got enough money to pay Eversource (our power company) to do their portion of installing the power poles along our 900' driveway without having to dip into our down payment fund.

For those interested, this was our registry: https://www.amazon.com/wedding/share/woodsyoumarryme

Don't mind the outrageously expensive rug and roomba on there - they were there for the completion discount we get after the wedding to get a deal on (though not sure I checked it we got it haha).

Overall I think the registry was perfect and it saved us some money we otherwise would have had to spend decorating after the house is done. We are NOT putting decor/furniture/etc into our loan and will be bringing all of our old/current stuff to the house, then just finishing each room one at a time as we can. So now we have the powder room and most of the master all set!
Najeebah
6 years ago
Good to hear it; Congratulations to you both! Lovely wedding shot there too
I browsed your registry, very well thought out.
Best wishes for your future together. Feel free to share pics of the house as you go along, if you'd like.

Help me add house building related items to our wedding registry!

Mark Bischak, Architect

Comments (23)

lakeerieamber

kalenangel

Related Discussions

User

User

Mark Bischak, Architect

Virgil Carter Fine Art

cpartist

Virgil Carter Fine Art

Najeebah

BethA

Kelsey Janak
Original Author

josephene_gw

Virgil Carter Fine Art

Mark Bischak, Architect

Kelsey Janak
Original Author

Kelsey Janak
Original Author

Mark Bischak, Architect

Allison Oreck

lookintomyeyes83

Najeebah

Kelsey Janak
Original Author

Najeebah

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Help me add house building related items to our wedding registry!

Comments (23)

Related Discussions

Kelsey JanakOriginal Author

Kelsey JanakOriginal Author

Kelsey JanakOriginal Author

Kelsey JanakOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Kelsey Janak
Original Author

Kelsey Janak
Original Author

Kelsey Janak
Original Author

Kelsey Janak
Original Author