Expert Tips

Wedding Registry Tips, Hacks & Ultimate Checklist

Wedding Registry Tips, Hacks, & Ultimate Checklist

Are you ready to register? Before you dive into the quicksand of the towel aisle or small kitchen appliances, it’s important to have a goal in mind of what you need and what you would like. Please though, don’t stress. This part of the wedding planning may be the most fun of all the tasks, especially between you and your betrothed. Block off some time and devote the day to each other and preparing for your newlywed home and life together.

In the meantime, check out how to make sure you’re getting in done, not just in style, but with the right amounts of efficiency too. Here are wedding registry tips, hacks, and the ultimate checklist to get you through this piece of the wedding day prep without minimal stress.

5 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU CREATE A WEDDING REGISTRY

  1. Your Favorite Stores Probably Have a Wedding Registry. Don’t feel obligated to go for the traditional department store registries. These days most of your favorite national brand stores will have a wedding registry. Check.
  2. Skip The Traditional Registry Altogether. If you lived together you probably have enough stuff. Have guests contribute toward a honeymoon fund, vacation activities, or big-ticket items.
  3. Pick Items At A Range Of Price Points. Make it a little easier for your guests by choosing a variety of small, affordable gifts as well as the bigger ticket items.
  4. Don’t Put Your Registry Information On Your Invites. Etiquette gurus strongly disagree with this idea across the board. Don’t make your guests feel obligated to buy you an expensive gift by highlighting it on your invitation.
  5. Don’t Forget About Thank You’s! It can be easy for thank you notes to slip your mind. Send them out as gifts come in before the wedding.

8 THINGS I WISHED I’D REGISTERED FOR

  1. Four sets of nice sheets. You need more than you think. For example, you will need a set for your room and the guest room, plus an extra one for each during laundry day.
  2. Thick, wooden cutting boards. Nothing is as awkward as pulling the turkey out on Thanksgiving in front of your whole family only to realize that you do not own a cutting board.
  3. A cast-iron Dutch Oven. It is worth its weight in gold and comes in handy more often than you would ever imagine.
  4. Stainless steel cookware. Stainless just creates better flavors in my opinion. Add them to the list (in addition to the standard non-stick stuff).
  5. Zester. Grating cheese and garlic, as well as zesting lemons and limes,  is a breeze with this very cool contraption.
  6. Guest stuff. An air mattress, sheets, nice towels and everything needed to make guests stay extra special.
  7. Storage and Organizers. Organization is an amazing thing so don’t skimp here. I wish I went crazy in this department when I registered.
  8. Outdoor stuff. A lawnmower, weed whacker, and leaf blower would have really come in handy.

​10 WEDDING REGISTRY HACKS

  1. Many department stores offer gift list services both online and in-store.
  2. Merge registries from multiple stores at .
  3. You can add anything to an .
  4. Use if you’d like guests to contribute to honeymoon-related airfare, lodging, or excursion expenses.
  5. Go ahead and register for cash through Tendr, MyRegistry or Zola
  6. Do guests a favor by registering at places that you know offer lots of coupons and sales.
  7. Register with Crate and Barrel and receive two stemless wine glasses in an embroidered linen bag.
  8. At Bloomingdale’s, receive a $100 gift card when you spend $500 or more on items left in your registry.
  9. Some registry sites will create spreadsheets of who bought what.
  10.  Include nontraditional items on the list such as restaurant gift cards, charity donation requests, and honeymoon funds

WEDDING REGISTRY MYTHS THAT ARE ABSOLUTELY FALSE

Throw out the nonsense wedding registry myths and do what is right for you! With that in mind here are seven wedding registry myths that need to die.

Myth 1 – Don’t Add Really Expensive Things to Your Registry

Wrong, wrong, wrong. A lot of people will tell you to leave things like expensive TVs or honeymoons or down-payment on house (yes, that’s a thing these days) off your registry list. We say that is stupid. You shouldn’t feel like you can’t add these items.

Remember times have changed and now bridal registries allow guests to contribute towards gifts as opposed to buying them outright. What is a $1,000 TV and is expensive for one guest is actually four guests chipping in $250 each, which is much more reasonable for guests and a great way for you to get a new TV. Give your guests plenty of options!

Myth 2 – You Need to Register for Formal China

Formal China? Is this the 1970s? Yes, lots of couples use their wedding as the chance to register for nice stuff they can use for special occasions but the reality is a lot of people live in cramped apartments in places like New York City and San Francisco so they’ll never need the fancy stuff. If you want something a little more appropriate for everyday needs then go for it.

Myth 3 – Only Register At One Store

No single store (except maybe Amazon) is going to have everything you want on your list so there is no shame in registering in several places. The logic for this myth is that it is more work for your guests to have to check multiple places. With the internet and a quick wedding registry search, it is clear that most of the registries online today are easy enough to just click through.

Also, with aggregation wedding registries you can still see everything under one roof. The only caveat to this would be that is kind of inconsiderate to register at five local retail stores that have no website.

Myth 4 – You Must Add Silverware To The List

Sure, your Aunt Grace may be upset she can’t buy your knives but like formal China there is no need to include this in this day and age. Most people already have their cutlery anyway so this one is just unnecessary. The same thing goes for other myths around “must include” items on your list. Choose the things you need and don’t worry about things you’re “meant” to have.

​Myth 5: Monogramming Is Finished

No, no, no, we love all things monogramming. If you like it, go for it!

Myth 6: It’s Bad to Put “Fun” Items On Your Registry

Have fun folks, it is your wedding registry. We understand that some guests may be turned off paying for you to go on a bungee jumping tour of New Zealand. As long as you give people options so they can buy you what they want, then you should be good. ​

​Myth 7: Couples Living Together Have Nothing to Register For

Not true. Most couples need stuff. Whether you are moving in together for the first time or have lived together for ten years. Your wedding registry is your chance to buy new things or upgrade your existing items.

Registry Must-Haves

Good Cookware

Your mom had a Dutch oven and now it is your turn. Good cookware is core to the success of your kitchen so choose pieces from materials that will last a lifetime. Stainless steel and enamelled cast iron pots and pans are never are a bad choice, especially from well-known brands.

Awesome Bakeware

Think of all the homemade birthday cakes and holiday cookies you are going to make over the years. You will need the full baking arsenal – cake pans, sheet pans, brownie pans and more.

Knives & Prep Tools

Good knives are expensive and you won’t want to buy them on your own. Now’s your chance to get really great knives that will make a huge difference over the years. The basics include a chef’s knife, serrated knife, paring knife, and a steak knife.

Dinner Party Basics

Holiday dinners, friends and family gatherings for birthdays and parties. Don’t forget to register for all your party needs. Serving platters, bowls, cheese boards, and linens should all be on your list.

Fun Stuff

​Pasta makers, juicers, waffle markets, stand mixers are all expensive items that make cooking, eating and entertaining super fun. Make sure to register.

Everyday Entertaining

Even when it is just the two of you at the table, you’ll still need the right dishes, place settings and cutlery to make a meal work. Don’t forget to add the daily essentials like dinner plates, salad plates, placemats, and everyday forks and knives.

Don’t Forget Sheets & Towels

Yes, you’ll need new ones and they make perfect registry gift ideas. Make them truly your own with a personalized monogram.

Cocktail Time

Having a well-stocked bar means having the right glassware and tools for different drinks: white and red wine glasses, tumblers, highball glasses, muddlers, strainers and of course water glasses.

House Beautiful

Dish towels, storage bins, ironing boards, and trash cans may not be the most glamorous items but you’ll use them every day to keep home nice and clean.

The Little Extras

It’s the little things – like measuring cups, spatulas, tongs and vegetable peelers – that round out your kitchen and make you a more efficient cook. Plus, it’s a good idea to have a range of prices in your registry and these are generally on the lower end.

Ultimate Wedding Registry Checklist

BAKEWARE

  • Bakeware Set
  • Baking Sheets
  • Cake Pans
  • Muffin Tins
  • Cooling Racks
  • Cookie Cutters
  • Trivets
  • Mixing Bowls
  • Rolling Pin
  • Rolling Pin Mat
  • Cake Decorating Kit
  • Cake Stand

​KITCHEN TOOLS

  • Measuring Spoons
  • Measuring Cups
  • Spatulas
  • Whisks
  • Tonga
  • Cheese Grater
  • Citrus Zester
  • Veggie Peeler
  • Can Opener
  • Garlic Press
  • Pizza Wheel
  • Slotted Spoon
  • Kitchen Utensil Holder
  • Ladles
  • Salad Spinner
  • Mortar And Pestle
  • Colanders
  • Ramekins/Prep Bowls
  • Cutting Boards
  • Cruets
  • Ricer
  • Ice Cream Scoop
  • Pepper Mill
  • Kitchen Timer
  • Basting Brush
  • Paper Towel Holder
  • Soap Dispenser
  • Trash Can
  • Aprons
  • Dishtowels/Cloths
  • Dish Rack
  • Oven Mitts
  • Pot Holders

FLATWARE

  • 5-Piece Flatware Sets
  • Butter Knife
  • Salad Servers
  • Serving Spoons
  • Slotted Serving Spoons
  • Serving Forks
  • Demitasse Spoons

GLASSWARE

  • White Wineglasses
  • Red Wineglasses
  • Water Goblets
  • Champagne Flutes
  • Double Old-Fashioned Glasses
  • Iced-Beverage Glasses
  • Margarita Glasses
  • Martini Glasses
  • Dessert Wineglasses
  • Shot Glasses
  • Highballs
  • Juice Glasses
  • Beer Mugs Or Pilsners
  • Casual Drinking Glasses

DECOR

  • Vases
  • Frames
  • Table Lamps
  • Pillows And Throw Blankets
  • Candles
  • Furniture (Sofa & Ottoman)
  • Electronics (TV, Entertainment System, Etc)
  • Crystalware
  • Wall Art
  • Wall Clock
  • Wall Mirror
  • Decorative Light Fixture

​BATH

  • Bath Towels
  • Bath Sheets
  • Hand Towels
  • Washcloths
  • Guest Towels
  • Bath Mat
  • Shower Curtain
  • Scale

COOKWARE

  • 8- To 10-Piece Cooking Set
  • Skillets (8, 10 Or 12 Inches)
  • Saucepans (2, 3, 4, 5 Or 6 Quart)
  • Saute Pans
  • Stockpot With Pasta And Steamer Inserts (8, 12 Or 16 Quart)
  • Broiler Pan
  • Stir Fry Pan/Wok
  • Dutch Oven
  • Grill Pan
  • Griddle
  • Roasting Pan
  • Casserole Dish
  • Cast Iron Skillet
  • Pot Rack
  • Fondue Pot

KNIVES

  • Steak Knives
  • Chef’s Knife (6–12”)
  • Paring Knife (2.5–4”)
  • Utility Knife (4–7”)
  • Bread Knife
  • Kitchen Shears
  • Knife Sharpener
  • Knife Block

DINNERWARE

  • Casual Place Settings
  • Dinner Plate
  • Salad/Dessert Plate
  • Soup/Cereal Bowl
  • Coffee Mugs
  • Salt And Pepper Shakers
  • Serving Platters
  • Sugar Bowl And Creamer
  • Serving Bowls
  • Salad Bowl
  • Serving Trays
  • Soup Tureen
  • Butter Dish
  • Cake Plate
  • Espresso Cups And Saucers

FINE CHINA

  • Formal China Place Settings
  • Accent Plates
  • Formal Rimmed Soup/Pasta Bowls
  • Chargers
  • Coffeepot
  • Teapot
  • Gravy Boat And Stand
  • Creamer And Sugar

BARWARE

  • Wine Chiller
  • Cocktail Shaker
  • Ice Bucket And Tongs
  • Jigger And Bar Tools
  • Coasters
  • Carafe
  • Wine Fridge

TABLE LINENS

  • Napkins And Napkin Rings
  • Napkin Holder
  • Tablecloths
  • Placemats

BEDDING

  • Flat Sheets And Fitted Sheets
  • Duvet
  • Down Comforter Set
  • Bed Skirt
  • Mattress Pad
  • Blankets
  • Pillows
  • Decorative Pillows
  • Pillow Case Set
  • Pillow Shams

OUTDOOR

  • Patio Furniture
  • Patio Umbrella
  • Barbeque Set
  • Wheeled Cooler
  • Grill

​OTHER

  • Charity Registry
  • Cash Registry

KITCHEN ELECTRICS

  • Blender
  • Coffee Maker
  • Coffee Grinder
  • Espresso Maker
  • Tea Kettle
  • Juicer
  • Food Processor
  • Stand Mixer
  • Stand Mixer Attachments
  • Hand Mixer
  • Slow Cooker
  • Pressure Cooker
  • Rice Cooker
  • Toaster
  • Toaster Oven
  • Waffle Iron
  • Electric Grill And Griddle
  • Electric Wok
  • Panini Press
  • Microwave
  • Deep Fryer
  • Ice Cream Maker​

TRAVEL & LUGGAGE

  • Luggage Tags
  • Toiletry Kit
  • Suitcase
  • Carry-On Suitcase
  • Garment Bag
  • Travel Totes
  • Digital Camera
  • Charity Registry
  • Cash Registry

KNIVES

  • Steak Knives
  • Chef’s Knife (6–12”)
  • Paring Knife (2.5–4”)
  • Utility Knife (4–7”)
  • Bread Knife
  • Kitchen Shears
  • Knife Sharpener
  • Knife Block

COOKWARE

  • 8- To 10-Piece Cooking Set
  • Skillets (8, 10 Or 12 Inches)
  • Saucepans (2, 3, 4, 5 Or 6 Quart)
  • Saute Pans
  • Stockpot With Pasta And Steamer Inserts (8, 12 Or 16 Quart)
  • Broiler Pan
  • Stir Fry Pan/Wok
  • Dutch Oven
  • Grill Pan
  • Griddle
  • Roasting Pan
  • Casserole Dish
  • Cast Iron Skillet
  • Pot Rack
  • Fondue Pot

BAKEWARE

  • Bakeware Set
  • Baking Sheets
  • Cake Pans
  • Muffin Tins
  • Cooling Racks
  • Cookie Cutters
  • Trivets
  • Mixing Bowls
  • Rolling Pin
  • Rolling Pin Mat
  • Cake Decorating Kit
  • Cake Stand

Wedding Registry Search – The Awesome List

– Perfect for food-obsessed couples who love one of a kind.

See also

– Classic home decor and kitchen accessories

Etsy – Handmade, vintage and unique products.

– Modern and fashion-forward home furnishings.

UGallery – For the budding art collectors

Heath Ceramics – Beautiful, functional objects.

– The NYC mega home store.

– Stylish and reasonably priced furniture.

– If you love cooking for friends and having parties.

Restoration Hardware – Unique vintage-inspired furniture.

– Living room furniture, kitchenware, dining sets and more.

– Bloomingdale’s is a one-stop shop wedding registry.

– The everything store. You name it they have it.

– Best for stylish everyday essentials.

– Not sexy, but essential.

– Expertly curated furniture and homeware collections.

MoMA Design Store – For the couple who love modern art and design.

Michael C. Fina – Fine china and tableware

– Recent entry into the Universal Registry game.

– From funding the honeymoon to a downpayment on a home.

I Do Foundation – For the couple who wants a charitable touch.

NewlyWish – Curated list of stylish products and experiences.

– Huge selection of brands, products, and styles.

– Electronic heaven with TVs, sounds systems and home tech.

– Large and affordable selection of housewares.

Tiffany & Co – Affordable vases and bowls (yes, we swear).

– Seriously all-inclusive registry.

– A cooking super-store. 9,000+ cooking and kitchen items.

Jung Lee – New York City boutique. High end home happiness-place.

– An organized home is a happy home.

HatchMyHouse.com – Guests give towards your down payment and reno.

Tendr – Request guests give monetary presents rather than physical ones.

 

Related