In-between the squealed “yes!” and the teary “I do!” of your wedding season comes one of best movie montage moments for home enthusiasts alike — the registry hunt. Now a-days most registering happens online (sans the scan gun, which we think is a bit of a travesty) and that also means you can miss out a bit on getting your hands on the products to recognize the quality.
So we did the in-person research for you! Our content team headed down to do an exclusive tour of the private Waterford showroom in NYC to get an up-close-and-personal look at all of their most recent products.
Registering Intentionally 101
Here’s the thing about a registry — this is the time to be practical, sure, but it’s also the time to think of items that will become staple elements in your newly shared home. So have some fun! Pick items with a nod to longevity and luxury that allows you to appreciate them for years to come. And to be quite honest, we don’t think a registry is complete without crystal. The clarity, heritage and craftsmanship that goes into a well-cut collection of Waterford crystal is just the right amount of pizzazz to add in your home and everyday moments. And as Katherine Heigl pointed out in 27 Dresses, it’s not just a vase, it’s the vase that he’ll forever use to put his “just because” flowers in. So that vase needs to be quality.
And a registry is a time to revel in quality. You’ll want to look at theses items and remember who got them for you at your wedding, and as each year passes you can fondly know that this clock or that bowl has been around since you and your spouse have been together. And you just know there’s a favorite aunt or second cousin out there somewhere who’s dying to send you a vodka chill set with shot glasses (one of our absolute favorite items in the showroom, won’t lie)
So come on besties, walk with us through the exploration process in the Waterford Showroom.
Picking Your Style
From gorgeous classics to a more modern cut, Waterford has an array of options for you and your future spouse to choose from that all instantly elevate your home, no matter the style.
Classic Cuts
When you think of Waterford, their classic Lismore cut glasses, decanters, vases come to mind first, and with good reason. The Lismore pattern has been around since 1952 when Waterford was revitalized by Czech Miroslav Havel and it is now the most popular cut in crystal. When you’re looking for classic (which is always a good idea when registering, we might add) you simply can’t go wrong with a classic cut.
This classic crystal cut also translates in to fun home decor items like perfume bottles, photo frames and trays if you want to think outside of the kitchen or bar and expand your collection to other parts of the home!
And if you’re looking for a really spectacular way to elevate an everyday item, look no further than the absolutely *gorgeous* Irish lace bowls and thank us later when your fruit looks undeniably chic.
Fun Patterns
One of the surprising frontrunners in our quest to find the perfect registry item was something we didn’t even know existed until we saw it in the showroom — the Stellar Collection! And when we read the history on it, we fell in love with it even more.
The Irish stargazing heritage is brought to life with the zodiac tumblers, so if you’re the type of person who checks your horoscope daily or has a general appreciation for the night sky, this collection is for you! It’s modern, fun and provides amazing talking points at any gathering you host at your home!
Modern Lines and Moody Adaptations
But, my friends, the core value of crystal can be translated to a myriad of other design styles. If your style is more modern, we can attest that the Lismore Arcus pattern is absolutely stunning in real life. Chefs kiss, sign us up.
Or if you’re into a moodier translation of a classic cut, take a look at the Lismore Black collection and be prepared to swoon. If you’re a #nightlux kind of gal, this is the collection for you.
Items You Can Feel Good About
Emma Watson once said the key to shopping sustainably is to keep items out of a landfill, and translated to home purchases that means keeping an eye on quality while you shop. Not only does Waterford literally *define* longevity, but as a company they’ve made significant efforts to make their product friendly to the environment.
Waterford has spent the past few years developing a formula to create crystal so clear (like, crystal clear incase you were wondering where the phrase came from) that is 100% recyclable. The new material is twice as strong and more resistant to heat, meaning Waterford craftsmen can create designs with deeper, sharper cuts to develop more luxurious designs.
Waterford has also adapted the way they create their products by designing state-of-the-art factories, which recover the maximum amount of energy. As a result, the electricity in the manufacturing process is now 100% renewable. What’s more, the water used throughout the production process is constantly cleaned, recycled, and reused, without a single drop wasted in the creation of the product.
*In accordance with national recycling legislation and local requirements in countries where Waterford is sold.
In addition to their sustainability efforts, one of the best things about Waterford is that your participating in history of classic glass-making. On their website they say “technology is no replacement for proficiency, and our Master Craftsmen possess exemplary artisanal talent” and reading through the process of how each Mastercraft piece is made will likely blow your mind.
Waterford has preserved the art-form of mold-made, hand blown, and Master cut (yes, as in a human Master Cutter) crystal making with several inspection points to insure the finest hand-created quality you could ask for.
One of the most obvious things getting to walk through and see the products in person was how big of a difference there is in the quality of Waterford crystal. The weight of the products felt substantial, the intricate details were even more stunning in person, and even though it was a bit of a cloudy day outside, the crystal still had a shine to it that was unreal. You can trust us when we say we felt like we were picking up items that were hand-cared for and masterfully made.
How To Register for Waterford
The good news is that Waterford is easily added to your registry no matter where you house it! First and foremost, you can actually set up a registry on their site guaranteeing you get access to all of their best product selections. Not to mention all of the major registry stores have a selection of Waterford to choose from.
But even with all of the online options, we can’t stress enough the fun to be had by going on the hunt in person! Many luxury retails and department stores that carry registry options allow you to go in store and see the items up close and in person, and if you choose your store correctly, you might even get a scan gun of your own! (Call ahead and see if the store still uses scan guns for registry items, it’s half of the fun)
Waterford in Your Home After The Wedding
After the ido’s come and go, setting up your first home as an officially married couple is just fun. Stay tuned with us as we walk through some of the best ways to use the Waterford you registered for in your daily moments!
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