What Is A Wedding Registry
A wedding registry is a curated list of gifts an engaged couple creates to make the wedding gift experience easier and more guided for their wedding guests.
To help ensure you cover the must-haves, fun-to-haves, and everything between, we consulted registry expert Emily Forrest Skurnik.
Meet the Expert
- Emily Forrest Skurnik is the director of communications at Zola, a one-stop site for wedding registries offering gifts from over 1,000 brands.
Read on for our ultimate wedding registry checklist along with answers to important registry etiquette questions.
Secura Electric Wine Opener
Its time to stop fussing with flimsy wine openers. Ensure the new couple can toast to any occasion with an electric wine opener that uncorks in just six seconds. There are more than 24,000 five-star reviews on Amazon that rave about this affordable option. The good-looking cordless version has a stainless steel shell and transparent details that you wont mind leaving out on display. Its also available in other eye-catching colors like a bold red, champagne gold, and cobalt blue.
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A Robotic Vacuum Cleaner
When you’re brainstorming for your wedding registry, you probably don’t immediately think about cleaning products. But maybe you should, according to the survey results. 58% of respondents wished they had registered for a robotic vacuum cleaner , making this the top response. If you really think about it though, it makes sense. Having a product to clean your floors for you gives you more time to spend with your partner.
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The 4 Things I Wish I Put On My Wedding Registry
My husband and I loved creating our wedding registry last year. Having just bought our first home, we had no trouble thinking of things we wanted and/or needed to fill out our new space. But now that weve settled fully into married life, I sometimes think about the handful of itemsseriously, just four!we somehow overlooked. Because you can never really have enough kitchenware or chic dining goods, right? But since Im not planning to do the whole wedding thing over again, here are the four items I strongly suggest other brides-to-be add to their registries from Macy’s.
While my husband and I did get a beautiful cream Le Creuset off our registry, its very large. Like, the largest size available, so its necessary when were making something for a lot of people, but its not the most practical when its just us. Which is a shame! Im totally missing a medium-size Dutch oven, and this Martha Stewart one is absolutely perfect. The cast-iron exterior heats slowly, and the enamel interior doesnt need to be seasoned before using, plus the condensation rings on the underside of the lid help circulate moisture, making this ideal for making stews and pot roasts for two.
NoritakeColortex Stone 12-Pc. Dinnerware Set
OneidaIcarus 50-Piece Set
Black & DeckerAir Fryer Toaster Oven
This article originally appeared on Who What Wear
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Items For Your Wedding Registry Checklist
One major step in wedding planning is the creation of the wedding registry checklist. If this is your first time and you havent a clue how to proceed, no worries, we are here to assist you. We have put together the best wedding registry ideas to help with the process.
While there are no hard and fast rules to putting together these lists, there are certainly a few essentials and must-haves you would not want to leave out.
So, if youre having a temporary mind block and are wondering what to put on a wedding registry, just stick with us a little while longer.
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Savor The Library Wedding Keepsake Box
Wedding planning can be stressful, so it may not cross your mind to save certain items along the way. This custom-dyed linen box makes it simple to organize your big-day essentials. There are multiple sections to store it all, including wedding licenses, invitations, cake toppers, wedding accessories, and sentimental keepsakes youll want to cherish forever. It comes with 50 individually illustrated labels that show you what to save and where to find it, so everything from first-date mementos to dried florals and trinkets have a dedicated home.
Things I Wish I Had Added To My Wedding Registry
1. DSLR Camera When I got married DSLR cameras were a brand new thing on the market but I seriously regret not having a nice camera on my wedding registry or at least putting our received gift cards towards a good camera. It wasnt until we started having kids that we finally invested in a good quality DSLR camera and weve never looked back. Even if youre not really into taking pictures you can get a good quality camera set for under $500.
2. KitchenAid Mixer This is one of those expensive items my husband was begging to purchase a few years into our marriage and I just wasnt sold on it until I started using it. Im SO glad we have it but I definitely should have traded some of our unnecessary wedding registry items in for this good quality mixer that will last us practically forever. A KitchenAid mixer may not be on a newlyweds radar but you wont regret adding it onto your registry.
3. Cuisinart Griddler- I never knew how much I loved our Cuisinart Griddler until we received one and we absolutely cannot live without it. We use it ALL the time. ALL the time. When our machine does break someday you can bet Ill shell out every penny to buy this amazing appliance the same day. We use it for everything from grilling steaks, shrimp, hotdogs, making pancakes, hot ham and cheese sandwiches, grilling veggies, etc. Its good for just about everything you can imagine.
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What To Put On The Wedding Registry: Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Share My Wedding Registry?
There are two approaches to creating your wedding registry. You can opt to register with a large department store, or you could choose to create your registry completely online through a wedding registry service. Either way, you may get a code youll be able to share with your guests allowing them to search for your list online on the department stores website or with the virtual registry service you signed up for.
Sharing your wedding registry is as easy as texting or emailing the link and information to your guest list once its available. If youre creating a wedding website for keeping your guests up to date on your wedding details, you can also share your wedding registry information here as well.
How Expensive Should Wedding Registry Items Be?
Its always good to have a healthy variety of prices on your wedding registry. You dont want to make all your items virtually the same price. Youll want some to be in the $50 or less range while others can be around $100 to $300.
Your wedding day is an important milestone in your life. Some close friends and family members on your guest list might be expecting and willing to pay for larger ticketed gifts and appliances. On the other hand, youll also want to be cognizant of those who may not be able to budget for an expensive gift, but still wish to congratulate you with a special present. For this case, youll also want to have smaller or lower-priced items as well.
Organic Cotton 300 Thread Count Sateen Sheets
The best bed sheets will drastically improve your sleep. This GOTS-certified organic cotton sateen set is buttery soft, hypoallergenic and moisture-resistant, cool and breathable, and features French seams with garment-quality tailoring. It comes with a flat and fitted sheet as well as two pillowcases.
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How To Decide What To Put On Your Wedding Registry
To avoid that feeling of I wish Id registered for start with your daily experiencesthen seek meaningful pieces that will enhance those everyday moments. Walk through your daily routine for ideas. Remember that its ok to be nontraditional too. Remove that voice in your head that says you should have crystal goblets for 12, when lets face it, youd prefer to drink wine from a mason jar.
When it comes to wedding registry ideas, weve got you covered on the must-have wedding gifts youll want to add to cart. From kitchen workhorses to personalized keepsakes, these presents are sure to please. Have more questions when it comes to gift-giving, RSVPs, and dress codes? Check out the wedding etiquette rules you should never break.
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Ihip Wireless Bluetooth Speaker End Table
Stuck with a hand-me-down sofa and mismatched chairs? Nows the time to skip the china and ask guests to register for furniture that will take your living room from drab to fab. Consider this ultra-modern multi-use table. It has a built-in Bluetooth speaker and will even charge your devices, without any messy wires.
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Kate Spade New York 2
Once you check off all the basics on your wish list, feel free to turn away from the “needs” and focus on nice-to-have items instead. These whimsical coffee mugs are a creative wedding registry idea that’ll look oh-so-cute in your kitchen cabinet . The set is microwave and dishwasher safe, so you don’t have to worry about accidentally damaging the gold rims and cursive text.
Virgin Experiences Date Night For 2
Enjoy a romantic date night in the city of your choosing, no planning required. This fun gift covers an activity from a curated selection of experiences . Filling up your postwedding calendar with fun dates and experiences is a great way to start your new lives together and keep the romance in check.
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What Should I Register For
Of course, your personalized registry is up to preference, but adding quality items like gorgeous barware, new duvets, and wedding China is lovely etiquette, according to Lindenman.
Start by taking a look around your home what dont you have already, and what can use an upgrade? Trentadue said. Maybe youve been wanting an espresso maker, or perhaps your bath towels have seen better days. Dont be afraid to think out of the box, too Ive seen lots of couples adding kayaks to their registries lately!
Spur Experiences Nba Tickets
Basketball fans rejoice, you can now register for NBA tickets exclusively on The Knot Registry Store. Experience gifts are becoming increasingly popular on couples’ wish lists. They’re a great way to keep up regular date nights after the wedding and honeymoonkeep that spark burning, baby!
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Material The Air Whisk
Prepare to meet the whisk of your dreams. This innovative gadget is designed to increase the air you whip into your dishes while simultaneously improving control. As a result, you can whip up a storm without the need for an intense arm workout. The Air Whisk is a cross between the classic ball and balloon whisks, and TBH, it’s pretty magical.
Bath Towels & Hand Towels
Towels are always necessary whether they’re for you, guests, the kitchen, or even your pets. Before you finish your wedding registry, add some plush towels to your wish list and consider picking a style with the initial of your soon-to-be shared last name. While bath towels aren’t a “super fun” wedding gift, they’re always appreciated and will be a cozy addition to a couple’s newlywed home.Auberge monogrammed letter towels, $13-50/each by Matouk bloomingdales.com
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How Should You Share Your Registry Information
Simon Ritzmann / Getty Images
Integrate your wedding registry into your wedding website, and share the link to your wedding website on all formal communication about your wedding, such as save-the-dates and wedding invitation , says Skurnik. There is no need to share the link to your registry specifically. In fact, it’s considered poor etiquette to include registry information and/or directly ask for money or gifts on your wedding invitations.
When it comes to blasting out your registry on social media, different cultures have different takes. Some feel fine sharing at large, especially if it is customary in their community to celebrate marriages even when they wont be attending the wedding, while others feel its inappropriate to share if not all followers will be invited to the wedding events. Go with your gut on this one, or take a cue from what close friends or family with similar guest lists have done in the past.
Is There Anything Thats Not Appropriate To Register For
StefaNikolic / Getty Images
I really believe that anything is on the table, says Skurnik. The rule of thumb is to make sure a registry is balanced between partners, so if one partner wants to register for the Dyson Supersonic hairdryer, the other partner might want to add a super-plush bathrobe or some cookbooks. Partners don’t have to have the same taste or hobbies to be married they just have to create a comfy home.
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Things I Wish I Hadnt Added To My Wedding Registry
1. Wok pan & Specialty Pans If I had enough cabinets to fill all the random specialty pans and bakeware I asked for on our registry Id have quite the kitchen! Not only have every single one of my wok pans rusted out but Ive come to prefer my rice cooker and just stir fry in my regular pots and pans.
2. Fancy Dishes I let my family talk me into the need of fancy dishes and actually registering at a fancy china shop. I felt a little silly doing it but everyone insisted that I would need the fancy over priced dishes. I still regret wasting our wedding registry gifts on such frivolous dishes that we didnt keep long. Not only were the dishes heavy and extremely breakable they were very impractical for us. If I could do it again I would rather have requested some more practical items.
3. Fancy Silverware Again, sure its nice to have fancy silverware but registering at a fine china shop is definitely something we should have passed on.
4. Small Kitchen Appliances A toaster a fajita maker are just two of the many many small appliances that we really should have left off our registry. We are a big cooking and baking family so we thought we would need and use all these small kitchen appliances when in fact they collected dust in our cabinets for so long we finally just got rid of them. Consider carefully what appliances you really need or want.
Do you have any tips for those registering for their wedding? Leave your advice below!
Is It Okay To Ask For Money Instead Of Gifts
It is completely acceptable to register for cash, says Skurnik, who recommends creating specific cash funds so guests can get excited about contributing to something tangible. Many couples use this opportunity to cover honeymoon expenseshence the rise in popularity of the honeymoon registrybut theres no need to feel limited to that.
Create a fund for round-trip airline tickets, theater tickets for two, or a just-married dinner at a fave local restaurant, suggests Skurnick. My husband and I registered for a cash fund to frame our ketubah.
Some family members or guests may feel inclined to bring a card with a check or cash to the wedding. Consider purchasing or crafting a custom card box and leaving it in plain view at your reception for people to drop their gifts in.
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What I Couldnt Live Without
Instant Pot Solo Single Serve Coffee Maker
Of all the practical things to add to your wedding registry, a coffee maker is a no-brainer if you a) drink coffee and b) don’t already have one. Not only will having your own at-home coffee machine save you countless Starbucks trips, but it also lets you experiment with different blends from small roasteries. This single-serve device brews a cup in just 90 seconds and is compatible with Nespresso pods, K-Cup pods or your favorite ground coffee beans. The icing on the cake? The compact design won’t clutter your counter.
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