The Pottery Barn “Party” by Evan

About a month a ago, Linnea called me - very excited because she had received a “special invitation” to a registry party. As we all know, gift registry is one of the many pre-marriage rituals a couple indulges in upon the days and months leading up to the wedding showers and, eventually, the big day. Pottery Barn, one of our already selected registry locales, would be hosting a wedding registry party at all of their fine locations throughout the metro Atlanta area. Thinking this would be a fun opportunity to start our registry while enjoying a sophisticated party atmosphere, we planned on going and RSVP’d.

              

Now when a business says they will be hosting a “party,” one tends to imagine certain special details would be involved to set the event apart from their usual business routine. Perhaps some refreshments, light music, maybe a gift bag, putting leis around the necks of visitors, whatever. Assuming these things, we are still wondering today if we were scammed into patronizing the Pottery Barn establishment.

              

Upon entering the store, approximately 20 minutes before the “party” was supposed to begin, we noticed nothing out of the ordinary. No tables with snacks or drinks. No decorations. No nothing. Thinking we maybe got the date wrong, we inquired about it with one of the employees.

“Registry party? Ummm, not that I know of.”
              

That’s when I saw it on the counter. A little sign which confirmed that there was indeed supposed to be an event scheduled to begin in ten minutes. After mentioning the sign, the employee offered little additional help.

“Oh yeah. There is supposed to be something tonight. I think Debra will be doing a demonstration on outdoor decorating.”
“That’s it?”
“Yeah, I think so.”

It was quite the party, I tell you.

Obviously, we were a little disappointed, but it wasn’t a complete loss. We figured that we were already there so we went ahead and registered and started making a list of some of the items that we liked including towels and a bedspread.

The good news is that we were able to make it home on time for takeout Chinese. It was delicious. At least we got some sort of refreshments out of the deal.