When it comes to choosing your wedding registry – best items and most unnecessary – it can be easy to get lost and overwhelmed. This post gives you the highlights and makes the process simple!

Choosing the best items for your wedding registry is a big task! Some couples aren’t sure they even need or want a wedding registry at all. In fact, if you’ve already built a home together, it can feel greedy to ask for things you may already have.

But remember: Everyone is allowed to create a wedding registry! Your friends and family want to buy you wedding gifts, and it’s honestly more helpful to tell them what you want. Registries are useful, practical, and kind.

People want to buy you something you want and will use. So go ahead and shake off any guilt about creating a registry, and let’s get to the fun part!

Wedding Registry Essentials

This is your chance to upgrade your existing home goods and invest in high-quality products.

I recommend adding the following items to any registry:

• Professional-grade knife set – with at least a chef’s knife, paring knife, and serrated knife (This Cuisninart set is a great place to start!)
• High thread-count sheets – if you’re your going to be sharing your bed for the rest of your life, you deserve to do it on luxury sheets
• Dinnerware set – if you’ve been eating off mix-and-match Target dishes, this is the right time to upgrade to adult dishes. And if you plan to entertain, make sure you request at least 8 place settings.
• Flatware – you can get a decent set of flatware for under $100. Or elevate your eating experience with an even nicer set. Make sure you have enough flatware to coordinate with your dinnerware.

Items to Skip

Create a registry that’s full of things you actually need or want.

Some common items you can leave off your registry:

• Fine china – if you really want some, go for it! But most modern couples don’t have a need for china these days.
• Appliances – most of us already have a decent toaster, mixer, and vacuum. Unless you’re in the market to upgrade, you can skip these.
• Massive collection of pots and pans – ditch those huge sets in favor for a few high-quality pieces you’ll use every day.

Wedding Registry Alternatives

If you’re just not into the idea of a traditional wedding registry, there are some unique options available today!

I always recommend giving people some type of list to gift from. Otherwise, you never know what you’ll end up with!

Wedding registry alternatives:

• Honeymoon funds – guests can donate money to your honeymoon or purchase experiences and upgrades for you to enjoy on your trip.
• Zola – this wedding registry platform offers honeymoon funds and cash funds.
• Subscriptions – let guests contribute toward a subscription you’ll regularly use. Blue Apron or Hello Fresh are fun meal-prep options!
• Gift cards – if you both love to travel, give guests the option to gift you airline or hotel gift cards for your favorite carriers and hotel groups.

Have thoughts to add about creating the perfect wedding registry? Share them in the comments!