Places to register in UK

My partner and I got engaged this past Sunday and with me planning to move to  the UK this Fall we think it would be best to register in the UK for gifts - should any of our friends/family wish to give us one. Me being the American (haha) typically we'd register at a Dept. Store, or a speciality store like Bed Bath & Beyond or Pier One Imports etc. My dad wants to throw us an engagement party in the states (NY where I am from) but I don't want to have to pack any extra items when I move and it's too tacky to ask for cash/dosh. Does anyone know of any nice stores/places to register in the UK? Any help would be much appreciated

Also are there any special UK/English wedding/engagement traditions that maybe I can work in for my partner - she hates planning and I love it, although she is being good about it thus far... I was thinking instead of a limo hiring an English Taxi and maybe having the engagement party at a pub-like venue... But ideas would be great!

Cheers!
Angela

May I recommend Debenhams.  They have consultants, you get to go around with a little scanner, you get a free cappucino, and 50.00 pounds to spend after your wedding.  They rocked.  Oh, and a good website.

I've had a lot of friends use John Lewis.  They have some amazing things and the gifts don't have lots of extra charges on them (like shipping).  Not sure if Debenhams does the same but when i was in the states and attending weddings in the UK, it was a blessing to just have to pay the cost i saw on the website and not be hit by loads of extra fees

I just wanted to say I don't think it is tacky to ask for cash--if that ends up being what you need most.
My MIL to be devised a chinsy poem basically saying that we have all the household items we need--now we need a bigger place to live.
We also included an option of M&S vouchers; we don't need anything really but we figure if we are tight one week we can use it on food shopping
I had previously started a registry at John Lewis, but had a big hissy fit when they stopped carrying the informal dining set I wanted and I only found out right before I was going to get the invitation slips.  I wasn't entirely pleased with the variety there, although they do have lovely things.  I think Debenhams has the best selection of cookware, for what it is worth.
Also, if you like Pier One, the manager at a store here told me they are loosely affiliated with The Pier in Britain-http://www.pier.co.uk/ --He said they often have the same merchandise a season or two behind the US stores, from what I see on the website he is exactly right.  Unfortunately, the prices seem very adjusted to fit the Uk standard

We registered with Argos and Amazon.co.uk. We might go ahead and register with Debenhem's just for the giftcard. I doubt that any of his family will bother with a gift list or even know what one is.