Planning a wedding can feel equal parts exciting and also slightly overwhelming. One task in particular which often causes newly engaged couples stress, is creating a wedding registry. With so many options available, how do you decide what to ask for? This guide breaks down the essentials, pitfalls, and hidden gems to ensure your wedding registry is both practical and purposeful.
Typical categories of items on a registry
When it comes to wedding registries, there are several categories of items that commonly make the list. These categories ensure a well-rounded, complete registry that will cater to many aspects of your new life together.
Kitchen Essentials
The kitchen is the heart of the home, and every couple needs one that’s well-stocked. When it comes to kitchen appliances, think beyond the basics—blenders, food processors, and stand mixers can elevate your culinary game and create delicious dishes to enjoy together. There’s also cookware–pots and pans of all different types and sizes. Finally, the often forgotten category, kitchen utensils and gadgets! From spatulas to garlic presses, small tools can make a big difference and save you a ton of time, too.
Bedroom and Bathroom Items
Creating a cozy and functional space is a must for your home, so don’t forget to add your B&B items. You spend about 8 hours a day sleeping, so use this opportunity to upgrade your bedding. Opt for luxe sheets, comforters, and pillows to give that five-star hotel feel at home. High-quality, plush towels in a variety of sizes can also give you that luxury feel and are worth adding to your registry. Finally, a calm environment can lead to a calmer mind, so adding some great organizers for closets and drawers to keep things tidy is also a great call.
Home Decor
As you embark on your new marital journey together, now is the time to make your space truly yours with some special touches in your home. Opt for frames, prints, paintings, and/or photography to adorn your walls and make the space reflect your personality as a couple. Vases and decorative bowls may not be something you invest in yourself, but these small additions can make a big difference to a room’s aesthetic. Finally, to set the mood, opt for beautiful candles and holders that can instantly change the room’s energy and create a beautiful ambiance.
Honeymoon
Nearly 40% of couples are now registering for some aspect of their honeymoon in addition to (or in lieu of) traditional home items. Be sure to describe your dream destination and list all the fun experiences and costs of the trip so guests can get excited about contributing. They’ll wish they had one!
Experiences and Entertainment
If you and your fiancé have been together for a while, perhaps home items are not on your priority list. In this case, consider adding some non-physical items. Couples experiences like cooking classes, wine tastings, or even a duo massage could make a great alternative. Some couples are opting for travel vouchers over items. Sites like Honeyfund cater specifically to couples who “prioritize experiences over toasters” and allow guests to contribute towards the honeymoon fund or future adventures.
Outdoor and Leisure
For the couple that loves the great outdoors, some other options to consider are items that light up your adventurous soul. Think camping gear items like tents, sleeping bags, and portable stoves. Or, if you’re a sports lover, consider upgrading some equipment from tennis rackets to golf clubs or yoga mats. If sports aren’t your thing, but you’ve got green fingers, consider tools from basic trowels to advanced watering systems.
What NOT to put on a wedding registry
While it’s tempting to add everything that catches your eye, some items are better left off your wedding registry. Here’s what to avoid:
Overly Expensive Items
High-end electronics like top-tier laptops or smart TVs might be too pricey for most guests, so they are better left off the registry. Luxury furniture, like that designer sofa, might look great, but it’s a big ask of your guests, so give them a skip. According to Brides.com, guests typically spend between $50 and $150 on wedding gifts. Keep this in mind to avoid overwhelming them. One exception is the honeymoon, which guests can fund portions of via a Honeyfund or other cash registry.
Highly Personal Items
Avoid asking for clothes and accessories. Sizes and styles vary too much to ask a guest for these, and books and music are also too personal. They’re nice options as a gift from your fiance, perhaps, but tastes can be highly subjective, so unless you specify, these won’t make a good addition.
Consumable Goods
Gourmet gift baskets are lovely but not long-lasting, so give them a skip on your wedding registry. Wines and spirits also belong here, they can be tricky to transport, making them unsuitable.
What people wished they put on their wedding registry
Hindsight is 20/20, and many couples have shared their post-wedding registry regrets. According to a popular Reddit thread on this topic, these are the items couples said they wish they had included on their registry:
Making Memories
Some users shared how they would rather use their registry to save up for a special occasion, like that once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon. They realized prioritizing memories over things from their guests was the way to go.
Silly or Special
A more surprising addition were items that users called ‘silly but helpful’: items like “paper towels, TP, dishwashing liquid, dusting spray, mop, Swiffer, broom, vacuum.” The consensus amongst users was that these items aren’t “cheap, but always helpful!” On the other end of the scale, some users shared how they use their wedding registry to get those extra special items like beautiful china or dishware, items they may never invest in themselves but make wonderful additions.
High-end Appliances
Kitchen items were a standout favorite, with the Kitchenaid stand mixer appearing as a must-have. Many users stated that they wished they had requested it. Even if they didn’t use it straight away, it was seen as a long-term investment that would one day prove its value. One user lamented not asking for a high-quality vacuum, realizing too late how crucial it was for their home.
Additional tips for a stellar wedding registry
Creating the perfect wedding registry is more of an art than a science. Here are some extra tips to make yours a hit:
- Varying price points: Include a variety of price points to accommodate all budgets. This ensures every guest can find something they feel comfortable gifting.
- Usefulness: Think long-term and consider items that will stand the test of time, both in terms of durability and relevance to your life.
- Update the registry: Keep your registry updated to reflect what has already been purchased and to add any new must-haves that come to mind.
- Use multiple registries: Register at multiple retailers to give your guests more options and to cover a wider range of items.
- Communicate: Talk to your guests about your wishes via invitation inserts or a wedding website.
Your happily ever after
Creating a wedding registry should be fun, not stressful. By focusing on a mix of practical and indulgent items and, most importantly – doing what’s right for you both – you can build a registry that helps kickstart your married life. Remember, this is your opportunity to create a wish list that reflects both your needs and your desires.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about what to put on your registry
Let’s take a look at some more frequently asked Q’s on this topic below.
Q: When should we create our wedding registry?
A: Ideally, start your registry as soon as you’re engaged or at least six to nine months before the wedding.
Q: How many items should we include?
A: Aim for about 150 items for an average-sized wedding, ensuring a mix of price points.
Q: Can we include cash funds?
A: Yes, many modern registries allow for cash fund options, such as honeymoon or home renovation funds.
Sara Margulis launched Honeyfund in 2006, leveraging her digital marketing expertise to revolutionize wedding gifting. Under her leadership, Honeyfund has shifted a generational trend away from household items and toward shared experiences, empowering 1.3 m couples to create and fund their honeymoons, distributing nearly $1 billion in gifts. As CEO of the popular honeymoon registry service, Sara is steering the company into its next phase as a life-long funding platform where couples can receive the support of friends and family for all of life’s milestones. Sara appeared on ABC’s Shark Tank in 2014 and landed a partnership with Kevin O’Leary (‘Mr. Wonderful’). Sara also serves on the board of Sebastopol Charter School in her home town of Sebastopol, CA.
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