Grandmillennial-Inspired Wedding Registry

If there is any fashion movement

that resonates with me, it is that of the Grandmillennial—and more specifically, the values that style embodies, the traditions it seeks to revive. The Grandmillennial has a style that’s a bit high society, but full of charm and joie de vivre. Above all, she’s some to whom elegance and etiquette is important.

She carves out a bit of extra time to write letters on personalized stationery, sending ‘thank you’ notes for the smallest gestures, and invitations for pretty teatimes. She loves the traditions that uphold and make life beautiful: making a home, hosting loved ones, and setting even weeknight tables with her Grandmother’s Italian pewter candelabra. A sense of modesty and decorum carries her through the rituals of everyday life, and she has such a lovely way about her—such politeness and poise. The Grandmillennial puts the proverbial wax seal on every letter to which she lends her touch. She gives grace.

If she were a list of items, the Grandmillennial would be a golden locket, a garden rose, polished silver, hand-painted wallpaper, or a velvet hair ribbon. If she were an Instagram account, she’d be @shoplillou, @bornonfifth, or @shopparterre. The Grandmillennial is a tastemaker, but she’s cool about it.

Whether in home décor or fashion, the Grandmillennial favors Chinoiserie and toile prints, crest designs and monograms, and powdery collection of pastels. She can set a table with grace, deftly pairing centuries-old antiques with of-the-moment accessories—think Wedgwood Jasperware with patchwork- style placemats. What the Grandmillennial does exceptionally well, however, is introduce eccentric emblems. She isn’t just about timeless beauty; she can do offbeat and quirky so well. Nothing—whether a room, table, our outfit-- will be straightforwardly classic or perfect; the Grandmillennial always throws the look ever-so-slightly and deliberately “off.”

Homes also take on this irreverent charm, as pagoda lanterns illumine Chinoiserie panels."

This dash of personality breathes such life into a look that could otherwise feel pretentious. She’ll pair a column dress or pencil skirt with a chunky, Grandma sweater (think Princess Diana in her llama-printed fair isle knit) or wear a pair of platform, Sherpa-lined clogs with her workout leggings. Homes also take on this irreverent charm, as pagoda lanterns illumine Chinoiserie panels or hand-painted murals, and a toile-printed tablecloth serves as the backdrop to a spunky floral arrangement (proper peonies punctuated with the occasional peacock feather).

When reflecting on the Grandmillennial’s style, I am often reminded of words written about a favorite fashion icon. According to the author, hers was a style of “unrestrained glamour and disarming modesty,” as she exuded “a mysterious fusion of sophistication and eccentricity… [her] look was disciplined yet often unpredictable.” The Grandmillennial has the discipline to set a table with utmost precision, with impeccable etiquette and decorum, yet a certain unpredictable quality— a verve, an irony— gives the look its spark. If it were all ruffled pillows and monograms with no irony, no sense of humor— no little Foo dog statuettes or Ginger jars with a weird pink leopard print— the look could feel hopelessly contrived. Instead, the Grandmillennial’s selections are often steeped in academia or artisanship, with fine faience and time-honored patterns; her references are subtle and smart, and her sense of humor is always on display. She epitomizes that “mysterious fusion of sophistication and eccentricity” and, while she’s drawn to pretty things, she displays them with a certain mischievous twinkle in her eye.

The Grandmillennial registry reflects all her lovely qualities: a love of etiquette and tradition, an embrace of femininity and romance, and an irreverent sense of humor.

Notable on this Registry Edit is the exquisite Wedgwood china-- Jasperware and cream on lavender. The matchless blue color and craftsmanship of these pieces speak, at once, for themselves. Imagine attending a dinner or garden party and walking up to see a table filled with Jasperware—the moment would feel so rarefied. These pieces implicitly communicate a level of formality, create an elegance of atmosphere, and speak to their owner’s good taste. What a gift, to be able to give guests such a moment of luxury, such a beautiful gesture of welcome.

Being a Grandmillennial is, in so many ways, about mastering the art of the table. Tabletop pieces by Z.D.G. (and yes, the ‘dg’ in this equation stands for ‘de Givenchy) are an ode to artisan craft. A pale pink cache pot, made in Este, Italy, the home of Italian ceramics since the 18th century, is hand-formed and then hand-sponged to create a marvelous wicker effect. What a beautiful vessel in which to display flowers or, as Z.D.G. suggests, to chill a miniature bottle of champagne. Equally exquisite are delicate toile and floral designs by Ginori, Cabana, and Juliska— names familiar to so many of the best hostesses. A Love Shack Fancy tablecloth feels perfectly Grandmillennial and garden-esque, and invites feminine adornments like pale pink, velvet napkin bows. The place settings on this edit alone could merit their own Journal entry, from pastel patchwork pieces by Sea (hopefully everyone has a grandmother’s quilt that looks just like these!) to the scalloped designs by Trichi, with a hand-stitched sprig of lily of the valley.

Good hosting, of course, transcends good taste, and the Grandmillennial will embrace beautiful design as a way of expressing of grace and welcome. A pristinely set table should serve to make guests feel included and indulged, and thoughtful design becomes an avenue to something more— to sparkling conversation and communion over a beautiful meal, a beautiful moment.

And because the Grandmillennial table embraces eccentric elements, there are so many objects of beauty and curiosity. Funny, tactile things that spark conversation. There are little blue Staffordshire dogs to tuck into a table setting, or place on a mantel or bookshelf. Pretty bunny shapes make everyday items—like salt-and-pepper shakers—look like something from a Beatrix Potter story. And a butter dish with a pretty lamb would surely spark dinnertime conversation—or become the beloved favorite of those little ones who are ever on the lookout for a jar of cookies. And the pièce de resistance: wicker by Amanda Lindroth, like a pretty rounded pagoda, a perfect complement to a pink Pagoda tablecloth. Lindroth’s work with wicker and rattan is so deft, so delicate—it is the medium in which she is perfectly and naturally expressed. One is instantly reminded of her gorgeous homes, filled with wicker masterpieces, in Palm Beach and the Bahamas.

The registry includes many of the most defining pieces of the Grandmillennial home, including stunning Chinoiserie panels and pagoda light fixtures in the most perfect, slightly sage, almost mint green. There are ginger jars in classical powder blue and mint green, with cream florals, and more surprising variations, like those with pink leopard spots. And the registry includes so many sweet keepsakes—like Wedgwood blue Christmas ornaments and bespoke pieces by Tricia Lowenfield, with her charming bride and groom illustrations. Pretty pillows and cache pots make every corner of the Grandmillennial home feel loved and thoughtful. Most charming is a custom monogrammed piece of pretty French faience, encircled by a crest of flowers and ribbons. How beautifully this would work as a vide-poche dish for jewelry.

“My mom told me a story of how Princess Diana never went to bed without writing all of her ‘thank you’ letters…”

Because the Grandmillennial is devoted to good etiquette, no registry would be complete without the most beautiful ‘thank you’ cards—the kind of letter which a recipient keeps forever. Heavy cream paper displays the most tiny, perfect, hand illustrated bouquet in burnished gold—a signature touch, if ever there were one. As a child, my mom told me a story of how Princess Diana never went to bed without writing all of her ‘thank you’ letters. I’m not sure if the story is apocryphal, but really, I don’t want to know if it isn’t true. It instilled in me a lifelong love for and devotion to the art of the ‘thank you’ letters, this image of the dutiful Princess at her desk, unfailing in expressing her gratitude, every night.

The Grandmillennial registry reflects all her lovely qualities: a love of etiquette and tradition, an embrace of femininity and romance, and an irreverent sense of humor. I would be so grateful if you felt inspired to shop the collage and Pinterest board below for the quintessential Grandmillennial registry. My hope is that these items grace your home with exquisite beauty, and grace your days with gestures of gratitude, giving, and with exceptionally good manners. May you use these items bless others and make them feel as beautifully welcome, in the way that only you can— whether that means setting a a beautiful table, writing a heartfelt ‘thank you’ note, arranging garden flowers, or simply giving others a glimpse of how to live in a more thoughtful, poised way.

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