10 wedding registry ideas essential for every couple
You’re engaged! Congrats! Now comes the real fun. Putting together a wedding registry is hands-down one of the best parts of planning a wedding. When else, as an adult, are you asked to make a wish list of all the household (and otherwise) items you’ve been dreaming of? Exactly.
Still, with so many desirable gifts out there, getting your registry going can feel a little overwhelming. So we’re here to help—by narrowing things down to 10 essential wedding registry ideas (with options for different styles and price points), plus some picks from some in-the-know pros at Style Me Pretty and Over The Moon.
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Why have a wedding registry?
If you miss the joy of flipping through that inches-thick Toys “R” Us catalog as a kid each holiday season, you’ll really love filling up your wedding registry. This is your chance to take a little break from the stress and complications of wedding planning to do a little (or a lot) of shopping, without spending a nickel. It’s also an opportunity to have your wedding guests contribute something meaningful and tangible to your new life as a married couple.
Wedding registry etiquette
As far as wedding and shower gifts are concerned, a wedding registry is the easiest way to let your guests know what you’re hoping to receive. It’s not uncommon for couples to have two, three, or more wedding registries—some on more traditional registry sites (like Zola, The Knot, or Over The Moon), some at department stores, big box stores, or national chains, and others on registry sites dedicated to saving money for a honeymoon, down payment, or another goal.
Wedding registry ideas
Whatever items or experiences you register for, be sure to include a variety of price points, starting below $50. Some guests may choose to bundle gifts, while others may prefer to go in on a larger, more expensive gift together.
Once you’re satisfied with your registry, you can easily share it with guests by adding a link to your Paperless Post save-the-date or wedding invitation. And don’t forget—you can always add to it once it’s been sent out! Last-minute gifting is truly a lifestyle.
1. Grown-up glassware
Once you’re a few years out of college, serving wine in Mason jars just isn’t so cute anymore. A beautiful set of glassware—with different vessels for different types of drinks—not only drives home the fact that you and your new spouse are now living, breathing adults, but also that you can actually enhance the flavors of the beverages they’re holding, too.
Our picks:
- CB2 Muse Stemware
- Kate Spade Rosy Glow Champagne Saucers
- Andrew O. Hughes Hand-Blown Double Old Fashion Clear Glass
2. Matching dinnerware and flatware
The same goes for matching dinnerware and flatware. Depending on how much you entertain (and how clumsy you and your partner tend to be), you’ll want eight to 12 matching five-piece place settings. From vintage-style French country to modern Southwestern stoneware, pick a style that suits your own—and the cuisine you typically enjoy at home.
Our picks:
Pro pick: Alexandra Macon, Founder, Over The Moon
“If I could get a registry do-over, I’d be sure to include beautiful, artisanal dinner plates like these by Carolina Irving and Daughters,” Macon advises. “They’re sure to elevate the every day and bring a big smile to your face every time they’re taken off the shelf… or out of the dishwasher.”
3. Multi-functional stand mixer
Popular culture would have you believe that you’re not technically a newlywed unless you’ve got one of these on your counter. And that’s pretty much true. A great stand mixer will help you make everything from croissants to rillettes—and it’ll last you a lifetime, too. Pick a color and style you love, then get cookin’.
Our picks:
- KitchenAid® Artisan® 5 qt. Tilt-Head Stand Mixer
- Smeg SMF02 5-Qt. Stand Mixer
- Cuisinart SM-50 5.5 Quart Stand Mixer
4. Projector or smart speaker
You might not initially think that non-kitchen tech belongs on your registry, but you’d be mistaken. Include items that will not only help you entertain others at your house but you and your beloved, too! If you’ve been wanting to upgrade your home entertainment system in subtle yet impactful ways, now is the time to do it.
Our picks:
5. Fancy vacuum
Who wouldn’t want to kick off married life with a clean slate, and by slate, we mean… home? Whether you want to banish pet hair with a lightweight stick-vac, painlessly mop your hardwood floors, or just sit back and let a robot do all the work for you, there are endless options—and they’re all perfect for your registry.
Our picks:
- Dyson V8 Animal Cord-free Stick Vacuum
- iRobot Roomba 694 Robot Vacuum
- Tineco Floor One S3 Cordless Hardwood Floors Cleaner
6. Well-made knives, cookware, and bakeware
If you’ve been using the same dull knives, burnt pans, and bent cookie sheets since who-knows-when, your registry is an excellent opportunity to upgrade. Go for a gorgeous knife set with a variety of uses, along with gleaming cookware you’ll want to leave on the stovetop for all to see. And don’t forget a sturdy Dutch oven, which has so many uses, it’d take up the rest of this article to list them all.
Our picks:
- Ginsu Gourmet Chikara Series Forged Japanese Steel Knife Set
- Caraway Cookware Set
- Lodge 6 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
7. A wedding keepsake
This one’s for the sentimentalists: Ask for an item that can be used in your wedding decor, as well as your home decor after the fact. Think of a beautiful card box, picture frames to fill with family wedding photos, and candle holders you’ll use again and again at dinner parties or a romantic night in with your partner. Just be sure you note in your registry that you’re asking for this as a shower gift—otherwise, you may not get it in time for your big day. (P.S. Make things easier by including your registry link right on your wedding shower invitations.)
Our picks:
Pro pick: Cydney Cockerill, VP of Revenue, Style Me Pretty
“We’re seeing a lot of love for unique items that serve a purpose at the wedding itself, but then can have a permanent spot in your home!” Cockerill said. “A keepsake box like this can do anything from holding wedding cards to showcasing some of your favorite wedding memories on display in a cute styled-shelf situation, and we are all about that kind of diverse use!”
8. Hard-shell luggage
For your honeymoon and beyond, a good set of luggage will take you far, literally. Hard-case suitcases are the most durable—keeping out both rain and bed bugs—and come in just about every color under the sun. We’d recommend going for carry-on sizes, plus at least one larger bag you can both share on longer trips.
Our picks:
9. Hotel-worthy bed sheets
Fact: You and your soon-to-be-betrothed won’t always be sleeping in fancy hotels, like on your wedding night or honeymoon. But that doesn’t mean your bed at home can’t feel like it. Add a little five-star luxury to your life with high-quality bed sheets in a thread count and fabric that makes you wake up feeling fabulous.
Our picks:
- Garnier-Thiebaut Nice Queen Sheet Set
- Bed Threads Stripe 100% French Flax Linen Bedding Set
- Parachute Percale Sheet Set
10. Plush bath towels
The real key to making your bathroom feel more spa-like? Really nice towels. Whether you like them fluffy or lightweight; monogrammed or patterned, you should definitely use your registry to upgrade your bathing ritual. While you’re at it, why not add some matching bathrobes for you and your love to lounge around in post-cleanse?
Our picks:
- Enchante Home® Enchasoft Bath Towel Set
- Anthropologie Harvest Garden Towels
- Brooklinen Super-Plush Bath Towels
“Let’s Celebrate” Flyer by Paperless Post.
Ready to build the registry of your dreams with these wedding registry ideas? Attach it to your Paperless Post wedding shower or wedding invitation, and get ready to start the married life off right.
