This is our first child, so we are doing the nursury ourselfs, completely (crib, rocker, dresser, etc.). We also think its appropriate to purchase all of the neccessary items ourself, so we'll be purchasing the stroller, carseat, etc. We are not asking for any of these "big ticket" items on our registry. Isn't this the appropriate way to do it?
What are you asking for? What are you buying?
Re: Baby Shower; what items are you buying before?
That's exactly what we've done as well. We're buying all our big ticket items beforehand and leaving people the choice between items starting at 3.00$ up to 120.00$ (our baby carrier).
It's not inappropriate to put big ticket items on a registry, we just chose not to. I rather get a lot of smaller cheaper things than just 2 or 3 big ones. IMO you get more out of it that way and people seem to want to participate more if there are things that are more budget-friendly on a registry.
My parents wanted to buy us the crib, glider and dresser/changing table. So we let them do that - these items did not go on the registry. If my parents didn't buy us the 3 items we were going to buy them on our own.
We did register for big ticket items, in my family and even at work a lot of people go together and buy the big ticket items. Grandparents and sisters have already told us they want to get us something big that will be used for a long time (ie. car seats, strollers etc). So we put them on the registry, if we don't get the neccesities we will go out and buy them but if someone wants to buy them for us, we will let them
  one less expense for us. 
My ILs have very clearly stated that they'd like to buy the furniture for us. I know my parents would also like to get us a big ticket item like the travel system or pack n' play. I also have a lot of aunts who are going crazy over this baby and would like to go for some of the bigger things.
I had initially said to DH that we should buy the furniture, and not burden anyone else with that, but then his parents spoke up. So, I just threw it all on the registry and we'll see what happens!
That is just what we have done. We have the dresser, glider, crib, changing table, and stroller, as well as a bouncer and swing that were passed down to us from my niece that outgrew them.
I have smaller essential things on my registry so far, as well as a breast pump and cloth diapers, though they are both expensive. My MIL kind of gave me a hard time saying that some people will want to buy big items and they won't have the option to, so that is that.
I am putting literally everything on my registry. I want the completion discounts!
Also, we don't expect anyone to buy our big items, but for both of my sisters people have absolutely gone in on a group gift and given travel systems, changing tables, etc.
We have planned so that if we get literally not one, single gift that we can afford everything ourselves, but the registry helps me keep track.
After 7 years of no ovulation...
BFP#1 10/24/11 ~ EDD 6/29/12 ~ Natural m/c 11/2/11
BFP#2 2/3/12 ~ Alice born 9/26/12
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