Wedding Registry

Wedding registries have changed a lot over the past few decades. Not many couples nowadays are setting up their own household for the first time upon getting married. But once upon a time, newlyweds would need help furnishing their first home, and wedding gifts filled that need. This is why traditional wedding gifts include things like china and bed linens. The wedding registry (a.k.a. bridal registry) enabled the couple to list their preferences, making life easier for their wedding guests. You, being a modern couple, may already have an adequately furnished household or two. And good news, technology has revolutionized how couples create a wedding registry, what you can register for and how guests purchase wedding gifts, making it a real win-win for you and your guests. So, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty.

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Here are tips on how to create a wedding registry.

Why create a wedding registry?

A wedding registry a time-honoured tradition that isn’t going away any time soon. Your friends and family want to contribute something to your new married life together. Something... but what? If you already have your own household(s), it may be hard to figure out what to get you. Do you want your guests to spend time and money on their best guess? Do you want to end up with wedding gifts that you don’t want or need, or maybe even dislike? You’re gonna get gifts anyway; they might as well be loved and appreciated and easy to shop for, right? Some people might prefer to choose something on their own, but many will appreciate your guidance. That's where a wedding registry comes in. It's your wish list of items, usually held by a retailer or online registry, that your guests can choose from.

What to add to a wedding registry?

Well in advance of your wedding day (long before you send out your wedding invitations -- like, very soon after you get engaged!), sit down and talk about your future life together. Take stock of the household items you have already. Are there any gaps that need to be filled (such as enough place settings to host a family gathering someday)? Are there items that need to be replaced or upgraded (such as bed sheets, maybe, or pots and pans)? Are there some little luxuries that you would love but have never indulged in (like crystal highballs for your weekend Single Malt)? It’s great to register for such “traditional” items, especially if there are some older people on your guest list who might be more comfortable buying gifts like these.

How many items to put on a wedding registry?

Choose items in a wide range of prices. For occasions such as bridal showers, or for guests with a limited budget, there should be inexpensive options (kitchen gadgets, for example). At the other end of the spectrum, you could add one or two “big-ticket” items, such as a high-tech vacuum cleaner or a mattress, appropriate for group gifts (that is, a group of friends or colleagues chip in to buy it together). Plus everything in between.

The total number of items you register for should be at least double the number of guests, to give shoppers lots of choices. As a rule of thumb, there should be at least 75 items. But don’t get too carried away; you don’t want to seem greedy.

When to start a wedding registry?

Register early. It does take time, and you must not leave it too late. There may be gift-giving occasions ahead of the wedding, too, after all. Chances are your friends will be looking for bridal shower gift ideas, for one thing. Some couples receive engagement gifts too.

How to manage your wedding registry?

By the way, you can’t just open your wedding registry and then ignore it. Check on it every now and then to make sure there are still plenty of items to choose from. This is especially important before a bridal shower or as the wedding day draws near: last-minute shoppers need some choices, including different price points.

Some gift registries offer “completion” programs that give you a discount on items that are left on your registry after the wedding. Find out about this and other perks, as well as the return policy, when choosing where to register.

How to tell guests where you’re registered?

It seems that attitudes and rules about many things are in flux these days, and the realm of wedding gifts is no exception. So when it comes to the question of how to inform your guests that you’re registered and where, there is no longer a hard-and-fast answer. Traditionally, discretion is paramount: if yours will be a very formal occasion with lots of your parents’ friends, for instance, you mustn’t mention your gift registry in your wedding invitations (or other written communications). If you’re being more casual about things (and can be sure your guests will be down with it), you might include registry info in your save-the-date cards, for example. One option is to include the URL of your wedding website on invitations, etc., and have your wedding registry information and link posted there. In any case, people will just ask – you, or your parents, or members of your family or wedding party, so make sure everyone has the deets.

A few words on wedding registry etiquette

Always remember that it’s a tremendous privilege to receive wedding gifts. It’s not your right to receive them, nor your guests’ obligation to give them. And it’s certainly not a tit-for-tat proposition: do not keep score (that is, don’t expect a guest to give you a gift whose value is at least equal to what you paid for their meal at the reception). Only a “bridezilla” would deem a gift insufficient and embarrass or shame the giver, or call out someone for not giving a gift at all; don’t be that person!

Appliances

• Blender
• Coffee & Espresso Maker
• Coffee Grinder
• Tea Kettle
• Juicer
• Food Processor
• Stand Mixer
• Hand Mixer
• Slow Cooker
• Pressure Cooker
• Rice Cooker
• Toaster
• Toaster Oven
• Microwave
• Waffle Iron
• Griddle
• Panini Press

Kitchen Accessories

• Cooking Utensil Set
• Measuring Cups
• Measuring Spoons
• Tongs
• Mixing Bowls
• Cutting Board
• Cheese Grater
• Ice Cream Scoop
• Mortar and Pestle
• Pizza Stone
• Digital Thermometer
• Digital Scale
• Towel Holder
• Canisters
• Trivet
• Tea Towel
• Apron

Bakeware

• 2 - 4 Cookie Sheets
• Loaf Pan
• Cake Pan
• Rolling Pin
• Oval Baker
• Square Baker
• Rectangular Baker
• 2 - 4 Ramekins

Knives

• 8 - 10 Piece Knife Set
• 8 - 12 Piece Steak Knife Set
• Santoku Knife
• Carving Knife
• Utility Knife
• Knife Block/Magnet
• Kitchen Shears
• Sharpener

Glassware

• 8 - 12 Iced Beverage Glasses
• 8 - 12 Champagne Flutes
• 8 - 12 White Wine Glasses
• Decanter
• Pitcher
• Cocktail Shaker
• Ice Bucket
• Coasters
• Wine Bottle Opener

Everyday Dinnerware

• 8 - 12 Casual Placesettings
• 8 - 12 Cereal/Soup Bowls
• 8 - 12 Coffee Mugs
• 1 - 2 Serving Bowls
• 1 - 2 Large Platters
• 1 - 2 Medium Platters
•  Dinnerware

• 8 - 12 Formal Placesettings
• 8 - 12 Accent Plates
• 8 - 12 Formal Soup/Pasta Bowls
• Coffeepot
• Teapot
• Gravyboat and Stand
• Creamer
• Sugar Bowl
• 1 - 2 Serving Bowls
• 1- 2 Large Platters
• 1 - 2 Medium Platters
• Covered Serving Bowl
• Salt & Pepper Shakers

Bed

• 2 - 3 Flat and Fitted Sheets
• 4 - 6 pillowcases
• Comforter or Duvet
• Duvet Insert
• Mattress Pad
• 2 - 4 Pillows

Bath

• 6 Bath Towels
• 6 Hand Towels
• 6 Wash Cloths
• Bath Mat
• Shower Curtain
• 2 Robes
• Bath Rug
• Vanity Mirror
• Waste Basket
• Soap Dish
• Lotion Dispenser
• 2 - 4 Bathroom Containers

Outdoors

• Barbecue
• Barbecue Tool Set
• Tent
• Sleeping Bag
• Picnic Basket
• Patio furniture set
• Snow shovel

Decor

• Vases
• Frames
• Lamps
• Throw Blankets
• Candles and Candleholders
• Wall Art and Mirrors
• Entertainment System
• 
  
•  Care

• Vacuum
• Broom
• Garment Steamer
• Hand Vacuum
• Iron
• Ironing Board
• Mop
• Steam Cleaner

Luggage

• Duffel Bag and Backpacks
• Luggage Tags
• Travel Tote Bags
• Carry-on
• Honeymoon Fund

• Airfare or Transportation
• Accommodation
• Activities

Other

• Cash Fund
• Gift Cards
• Experience Gifts
• Food/Wine
• Charity Fund