Wedding Registry Ideas: A Must-Have Checklist of Essential Items
Wrapped wedding gifts with white and silver ribbons.
Nothing brings up weird feelings like setting up your wedding registry. Is it really ok to ask for gifts? How is this not rude! It’s really not. In fact, it’s one of the nicest thing you can do for your guests. Most of the people invited to your wedding don’t know your taste, your favorite colors or what you might already have.
An easy way to let them know is by setting up a wedding gift registry. When you start your registry, you’re not demanding gifts - you’re just creating a wish list. By sharing exactly what will fit in your home and your lifestyle, you’re giving your guests an easy way to get you the perfect gift.
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How Does a Wedding Registry Work?
Most stores offer options for wedding registries. Typically, you’ll sign up with your names, address and wedding date. If you’re there in person, the store usually gives you a scanner. You walk around the store and scan the items you want to add to your registry. When a guest goes to the store, they’ll go to the registry department or kiosk and give your name. They’ll get a printout of your wish list. They can choose the gift they like best and purchase it for you.
Most stores are online now, so it’s even easier. Once you sign up, you click around the site and add the items to your registry online. If you share a link to your registry on your wedding website, your guests can shop from home and have the gift wrapped and delivered straight to you.
Do You Need to Register For Wedding Gifts?
It’s not necessary, but there’s a lot of benefits. Your guests will have an easier time shopping for you - it’s nice to buy a gift and be sure the person will like it. You won’t get random gifts that you don’t need. You won’t be stuck trying to return duplicated or unwanted gifts. And when you get the gifts you love, you’ll know exactly who it came from and when to send a thank you note.
Best of all, you’ll have everything you need to set up your new home as a couple. If you don’t get everything you need from your wedding gifts, lots of stores even offer discounts to complete your registry. If you set up an Amazon Wedding Registry, you’ll get 20% off anything left on your registry after your wedding date. If you’re thinking about setting up a list on Amazon, read this next: Amazon Wedding Registry: How it Works and Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Some Wedding Registry Must-Haves?
If you’re just starting out together, set up your registry to cover all the essential items for your home. Go through the checklist below and consider what you’ll need, room by room. Most couples moving into a new home need basic kitchen and dining room items, like pots, pans and dishes. Even if you’ve already got some things, you can always upgrade them. If you’ve got dishes, but they’re all scratched up, now’s the perfect time to get a new set of china.
When you make your list, think about the things you enjoy doing. For example, in the kitchen section there’s lots of baking items. But if you don’t bake, cross it off your list. And there’s an espresso maker included in the fun stuff section. If you love your morning coffee, you can move that to your essentials list.
How Many Items Should You Include on Your Wedding Registry?
Another thing to consider when you’re making your list, is the number of guests who are coming to your wedding. Your registry needs to be big enough that they have choices, but small enough that you won’t get lots of stuff you don’t really need. A good rule of thumb is to multiply your guest list by two. Then add a few more items to fill out your list.
For example, if you’re inviting 100 guests, include at least 200 items on your registry. It seems like a lot - but if your guests have a lot of choices that fit their budget, they won’t go buy something random from another store. You’ll get more gifts that you can use and you’ll have a chance to complete your registry.
Is It Rude to Choose Expensive Gifts?
Absolutely not. Your guests want to bring gifts you’ll like. And they know their own finances. If they’re on a tight budget, they’ll choose the low or mid range gifts from your registry. Some guests have a big budget and want to buy you a memorable gift. And sometimes family or friend groups like to go in together and buy one big gift. So don’t be afraid to include a few expensive gifts on your registry. As long as there’s choices at every price level, your guests will be happy to choose from your selections.
What Are Some Ideas For a Bridal Shower Registry?
You don’t need a separate registry for your bridal shower. All your items should be included on one main list. Keeping one registry will make it easier for you and your guests. Traditionally, your shower presents will be the more practical gifts. Your shower guests will choose items like mixing bowls, food storage and small appliances. For your wedding gifts, your guests will choose the more high end items, like fine china and silverware.
When you’re choosing your items, include some at every price level. If you get your registry set up before your first bridal shower, your guests will buy most of the lower end items as your shower gifts. After you have your bridal shower, check on your registry to make sure there’s still items in every price range. If there’s not many left, add some more in order to give your guests choices.
Kitchen Essentials For Your Wedding Registry
Cooking:
8 Inch skillet
10 Inch skillet
12 Inch skillet
Cast iron skillet
4 Quart saucepan
6 Quart saucepan
Sauté pan
Stock pot
Stir fry pan
Casserole dish
Roasting pan
Dutch oven
Pizza stone
Tea kettle
Tea pot
Cooking utensils
Chef knife
Paring knife
Bread knife
Carving knife
Utility knife
Kitchen shears
Knife block
Baking:
Glass mixing bowls
Stainless steel mixing bowls
Measuring cups
Measuring spoons
Cooling rack
Rolling pin
Cookie sheet
Muffin pan
Cake pan
Loaf pan
Pie plate
Small Appliances:
Toaster
Blender
Stand mixer
Food processor
Coffee maker
Toaster oven
Air fryer
Instant Pot
Rice cooker
Waffle iron
Useful Items:
Colander
Salad spinner
Food storage containers
Cutting board
Cheese grater
Garlic press
Ice cream scoop
Meat tenderizer
Peeler
Canister set
Tea towels
Apron
Dining Room Essentials For Your Wedding Registry
Everyday Dinnerware:
4 piece place settings (dinner plate, salad plate, bowl, mug)
Formal Dinnerware:
Dinner plates
Appetizer plates
Salad plates
Bread plates
Pasta bowls
Soup bowls
Cup and saucers
Mugs
Flatware:
5 piece set for everyday
5 or 6 piece set for formal occasions
Steak knife set
Everyday serving pieces
Formal serving pieces
Glassware:
Water glasses
Red wine glasses
White wine glasses
Champagne flutes
Highball glasses
Beer mugs
Wine decanter
Pitcher
Serving pieces:
2 serving platters
2 serving bowls
Salad bowl
Salad servers
Serving flatware
Butter dish
Gravy boat
Cake plate
Salt & pepper set
Sugar & creamer set
Napkin rings
Bar Set:
Cocktail shaker
Ice bucket and tongs
Corkscrew
Coasters
Linens:
Tablecloths
Table runners
Placemats
Cloth napkin set
Furniture:
Dining table and chairs
Sideboard
Bar cart
Essential Gifts For Bed and Bath
Sheets
Pillows
Duvet
Pillow shams
Bed skirt
Mattress pad
Robes
Bath towels
Hand towels
Washcloths
Shower curtain
Bath mats
Soap dish
Hamper
Wastebasket
Essential Gifts For The Living Room
Art
Picture frames
Vases
Lamps
Throw rugs
Cushions
Outdoor Items For Your Wedding Registry
Barbecue
Patio furniture
Outdoor speakers
Outdoor lighting
Lawn games
What are Some Wedding Registry Ideas When You Have Everything?
If you’ve already got everything for your home, you can choose items that will be an upgrade for you. Maybe you already have a mixer, but if you like to bake you might want to add a brand name mixer, like Kitchen Aid. Or you could add items to your list that are fun extras. Things like a fondue set or margarita maker could be nice additions to your registry.
Upgrade Items For Your Wedding Registry
If you’ve already got lots of everyday items, consider upgrading to name brands. Or start collecting a certain pattern from a fine china brand, like Wedgewood or Lenox.
Kitchen Aid
La Creuset
Nescafe Single Serve Coffee Maker
Breville Espresso Machine
All Clad Cookware
Fun and Unique Items For Your Wedding Registry
Espresso maker
Espresso cups and saucers
Ice cream maker
Bread maker
Cake decorating kit
Sushi making set
Fondue set
Margarita maker
Panini press
How Can You Set Up the Ultimate Wedding Registry?
With so many items on your list, it’s hard to choose just one store. But there’s one place you can register your entire list: Amazon. If you register on Amazon, you can add items from any online store. This is perfect for a registry because all your gifts will be in one place - no matter what store they come from. You and your guests will have only one list to worry about. If you use the Amazon Assistant extension on your browser, you even add gift cards, classes, meal kits, tickets or tours. Anything you can buy online can be added to an Amazon Wedding Registry.
Ready to start your wish list on Amazon? Click here: to sign up for an Amazon Wedding Registry
Amazon Wedding Registry Ideas
Take Your Time Making Your List
Setting up your registry can be a big task, so don’t try to do it all in one day. Start by going through the checklist and talking with your partner about the things you’d like to have in your home together. Then, come up with a plan to get registered and share your list. Remember, your guests are coming to your wedding because they love you. They want to get you a great gift, and setting up a registry is the perfect way to help them. So take your time and have fun dreaming up your new home.
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