Why have a wedding registry?
Wedding registries perform two primary functions. They help you and your partner stock up on the essentials and also make it easy for friends and family to identify exactly what you want. This takes the guesswork out of shopping and often minimizes the risk of getting duplicate presents. Another benefit? Some stores host personalized wedding registry events. As Coartney explains, “If registrants attend an in-store event at Crate and Barrel, they receive a free gift and goody bags. There are also giveaways and a team of wedding registry experts that can help you every step of the way.”
What are some wedding registry tips?
First and foremost, try to include as many different price points as possible. Guests are less likely to feel overwhelmed if they see smaller gift options, such as oven mitts, candles and kitchen storage containers, alongside more expensive items, such as furniture or a vacuum cleaner. If you and your fiance are committed to items of greater value, consider asking for 1 or 2 larger gifts instead. This way, friends and family can participate in a group gift where each person contributes an amount they’re comfortable with. Another tip is to start creating your registry early—Coartney recommends 6 to 8 months in advance—to avoid last-minute stress. Be sure to include your partner in the decision-making process.
How do I decide what to include on my registry?
The most efficient way of choosing which products you want is to go through your house or apartment room by room. Then, make a list of items you think will benefit you, whether for their practicality or decorative appeal. For couples interested in saving time, consider using a prepared checklist instead. If you feel like you’re well covered in the basics department, Coartney recommends choosing upgrades to those essentials. Below is a list of popular wedding registry ideas for your main living areas—the living room, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom—as well as others that pertain to your lifestyle.
The living room
Due to its prominence in the home, the living room is where most couples place their focus when creating a registry. Want to impress the family with your decorating savvy? Include various home accents on your list. Taper candles in a metallic candelabra enhance a modern aesthetic, as do silver photo frames and glass vases. If you and your partner are all about comfort, consider asking for a fleece blanket you can drape over the sofa and fluffy pillows that can be tucked into each arm of the loveseat.
The kitchen
Looking forward to the day you enjoy breakfast in bed with your new spouse? Add a variety of kitchen appliances and utensils to your registry to make this dream a reality. Start small with common items, such as a measuring cup set—ideal for preparing a batch of pancakes—or salt and pepper shakers, which can be used to season the eggs. If your goal is to upgrade existing medium-sized appliances on the counter, consider requesting a new toaster, food processor or mixer instead. A new nonstick cookware set helps to prepare those yummy hash browns, and a glass pitcher holds your favorite juices, including orange, apple and grapefruit. Looking for a group gift idea? Encourage friends and family to chip in for a larger piece of furniture, such as a kitchen island. With ample storage shelves and drawers, there’s plenty of room to organize bakeware, cookware, utensils and other recently acquired essentials for the home chef. Another benefit? Kitchen islands provide additional workspace while whipping up everyone’s favorite comfort dishes.
The bedroom
After all the excitement surrounding your nuptials, the two of you will need a cozy place to unwind. Putting duvet covers, comforters, pillows and other bedding essentials on your wedding registry is a great place to start. You can even pick colors and patterns that complement the personality of the room. Does the master suite have a cabin-like feel? Opt for quilts and shams with a classic plaid design. If you’d rather stick with a specific hue, consider a sheet set that coordinates with the furniture or color of the walls. For a different approach to the bedroom, request decor instead. How about a faux fur rug for some softness underfoot, or hanging artwork above the headboard to spruce up your vertical space?
The bathroom
Achieve the spa bathroom you’ve always dreamed of. Kick back and relax in a tub surrounded by scented tealight candles and small flower pots filled with botanicals. If your husband or wife prefers a more practical experience, hang a caddy from the shower head for easy access to shampoo and conditioner. A set of bath accessories on the counter, including a toothbrush holder, tumbler and soap dispenser, offers organization, while a ring plate provides a handy place to park jewelry while bathing. Don’t forget to include a set of canvas bins on your registry list, as they can be used to organize towels, washcloths and other linens. For a final touch, consider a vanity mirror and towel rack to help streamline your morning routine.
Your lifestyle
If you’re the type of couple who would rather see the world than decorate a house, make your wedding registry ideas all about adventure. Embarking on a honeymoon filled with scuba diving and zip lining? Add a camera to the list. Brand new backpacks and suitcases will have you excited to pack, and travel mugs help keep you hydrated while out and about. For couples staying closer to home, consider requesting barbecue utensils, such as turners, tongs and a basting brush. Outdoor games, including bocce ball and croquet, help keep friends and family occupied as you fire up the grill.
For the couple who has everything
Do you and your fiance already have everything you need for your home’s interior? Consider registry gifts that extend beyond its walls. Ideal for group gifting, outdoor furniture makes it easy to invite everyone over for a casual cookout once you’re settled into married life. For instance, an outdoor dining table with a complementary bench and chairs encourages eating a meal in the fresh air. Ask for melamine dishes to create an individual place setting for each guest, and serve food buffet-style from coordinating melamine serving pieces, such as platters, trays and serving bowls. For couples who reside in a sunnier climate, request a patio umbrella, too. Add the finishing touch with soft string lights that add a cozy glow to the outdoor bar—where visitors can gather around to enjoy a few cocktails from new martini and coupe glasses.
A little of this, a little of that
For couples who truly feel like they’re wanting for nothing, opt for a stress-free wedding registry choice—gift cards. Easy to give and even easier to purchase, a gift card allows you and your partner to decide what you want after the hustle and bustle of the wedding has settled. Notice the dining room could use a little pick-me-up? Spend the gift card on all the elements you need to create an elaborate centerpiece. For instance, fill a decorative vase with faux botanicals, then surround it with tea light candles in sleek holders. Or, achieve a different look by placing the candles inside the vase instead of the greenery. If the foyer needs a bit of updating, use the gift card to splurge on a console table that’s accented by framed pictures of family and friends beside a decorative carafe. The best part? You don’t have to spend the gift card all at once. Treat yourselves here and there after making it official, then save the rest up for when you decide to update decor, bedding, bath essentials and other home comforts.
If you need more inspiration for wedding registry ideas, swing by our gift registry page. Then, show us your choices at the hashtag #CrateStyle.
