Building Your Wedding Registry

Don't be fooled, nearlyweds. Your wedding gift registry does not need to be filled to the brim with mixing bowls and monogrammed hand towels! Great gifts come in many shapes and sizes.

Nowadays, most couples want a mix of traditional and non-traditional goodies that suit their personalities, and thanks to the ever-evolving registry "rules."

Some wedding guests might want to gift you an experience such as a curated date night on your dream honeymoon or booking you a few cooking classes to up your hosting game while more traditional wedding guests will consider a good wedding gift should be more practical like a set wine glasses, a stand mixer, or a personal collection of their mother's recipes. Whatever the wedding present, remember to shop wisely.

You shouldn't shop just for practical gifts, nor should you have your friends and family go on an endless hunt, scrolling through page after page. Weddings are a focal part of society, they create inspiration in the lives of the newlyweds as well as their guests. It isn't about how much money you spend or what ends up being purchased: the wedding itself is the true gift.

By creating an online registry with brilliant wedding gift ideas you'll be helping everyone (including yourself) choose the most memorable wedding gift. So, with a whole wide world of items to choose from, how does the married couple find the best gifts to add to their wedding registry?

Ideally, before you even start a registry program, you’ll want to check inventory and take stock of what you already have, what you want to update, and what you’ll definitely need. This will save you plenty of time so that you don't purchase things you realized you don't actually need or aren't excited about. Once you get that out of the way a whole new world of wedding gift ideas will appear on the horizon. You got this!

For all you food lovers! Still have your toaster from college or a hand-me-down coffee maker from your parents? Most of us are in that boat, too. But if you have an old appliance that you use every day, it’s time to upgrade it. You’ll be glad you did! Especially since the one you have is likely almost on the outs.

From Air-Fryers and Blenders all the way to Panini Presses and Espresso Machines, you or your S.O. don’t have to be professional chefs in your own kitchens to enjoy these subtle yet essential kitchen appliances that are worth upgrading to once you tie the knot. What you use to cook your food in

Planning on hosting all the parties even after your wedding? You might want to add a few extra dishes, some serveware, maybe a sleek culinary knife set, or even the essentials for your wine and bar collection.

Home dining has its charms! Whether you’re cooking for a romantic evening with your S.O. or plan on having a few guests over, you can’t go wrong with a list of wedding gift ideas centered around your dining set up that speaks to both of your styles.

Maybe you only have a single pair of wine glasses or too many champagne flutes that need a bar cart to rest on, it helps to add more on your wish list to help guests choose the best wedding gift.

The happy couple are going to be clinking glasses many times over the course of your marriage so it’s important to register for a set of celebratory barware, whether it’s martini glasses or beer steins. That way, whatever you’re toasting to will feel all the more exciting—and fancy!

Here’s where you start to have a bit more leisure at getting creative with your wedding gift ideas. As everyone loves to chill outside during the warmer months, BBQing on your favorite grill or smoker is one thing, but it’s the activities which bring us together.

With that said, retailers like Amazon offers plenty of options for all those outdoor enthusiasts, from bicycles and lawn games to tents and more! Even if some of these wedding gift ideas are pricey, you could always suggest guests collaborate through group gifting.

Sundays were made for snuggling, so you definitely shouldn't underestimate the power of a nice, warm blanket.  Plus, it'll make your home look oh-so-cozy, chic, and pulled together. If your bedding was lacking in comfort or style before your big day, think of adding color and comfort to your bedroom.

Just in case you did want those matching robes or a new set of plush towels on your wedding registry, creating a relaxing space where you spruce yourselves up could bring another level of comfort to your home. If you decide to have a universal registry, make sure you mix up the prices so that some people can save money while others can go all out with their gift.

Although a little less conventional than typical wedding gift ideas, that accent table or media furniture you’ve been eyeing for the past year might as well be on your registry. For soon-to-be newlyweds who plan on upgrading to a house or simply want to renovate and add more seating so that the whole family can lounge in the living room, definitely consider including furniture as a wedding gift.

Everybody has seasonal items, whether it’s those winter throw rugs and blankets or holiday decorations, having a space that’s free of clutter helps make you feel less cluttered too. Adding a few bins and baskets, a storage unit in the basement or storage bags in the attic could help declutter your rooms after the holidays.

Maintaining a clean and somewhat immaculate home void of dust and clutter isn’t always so easy. For instance, you’re not going to move the couch to get into all those nooks every time you vacuum. Not to mention your old one is just too bulky to get around those tight corners and lug up and down the stairs. Even if no one decides to get you that shoe rack, think of the completion discount, there's just some wedding gifts you should have in mind to save for yourselves. So add some cleaning appliances on your wedding registry!

During those summer heat waves you’ll relish in your decision to put that set of blinds or curtains on your wedding registry for years to come. Even if you want loads of sunlight to pour through your entire house all year round, curtains are chic decorum that could also be used to dampen outside noises. Don’t forget to add curtain rods, valences, and scarves to decorate your windows with.

If you and your soon-to-be-spouse are late morning people or enjoy sleeping in from time to time,consider registering for blinds as well. Softly filter and diffuse the light in any of your rooms for quality ambiance.

First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes a baby in a baby carriage! So if you happen to knock those last two out at once and a baby is on their way you might as well use this time to include a few of the essentials such as strollers, car seats, and baby bedding if you don’t already have them.

Some of your guests might wonder why you’ve added kid’s toys, clothing, or accessories to your registry list, but everyone knows that your kids are your lives. So if kids are already in the picture and you love them and don’t want them to feel left out it might be wise to include one or two things for them on your list.

If you’re big on hygiene or simply love the feeling of being clean and how bright your skin can glow then definitely add some of these beauty products to your wedding registry wish list. Perhaps you need a new blow-dryer and they need a trimmer or both of you may want to add a little spa in your home with one or two massage devices, Bed Bath & Beyond has both of you in mind.

It’s one thing to make yourself look nice, but it’s a whole other beast to stay in shape and exercise. After you and your S.O. Say your vows, there's a good chance you’ll want to maintain an exercise regimen and decide to build a home gym furnished with weights and other fitness equipment. This is step one in staying proactive and maintaining your beauty and your health!

For couples who are always on the go, traveling for work or for pleasure, you might find yourselves away from home for extended periods of time. Especially while on your honeymoon and subsequent anniversaries! More likely than not, you’ll want to update your luggage sets to slightly more than minimal.

Dehumidifiers, air purifiers, thermostats, and fans will help you prepare for all the seasons. Allowing your guests to gift you with some of these appliances could be the difference between sneezing all day and being able to smell the budding spring flowers.

Whether you want to add more depth to your lives with an entire area rug or would like to create a brighter space with a mirror or unique lighting arrangements, you can register for home decor that either compliments or contrasts each room in the home with their building together.

At the end of the day, your registry should be about the life you and your partner are planning to build together after you say your vows. So while those plates will definitely come in handy, what matters most is the time you spend together, not what you have listed on your wedding planner.

To some newlyweds the best wedding gifts aren't tangible things, but memorable experiences. Think about what you two like to do together— whether it's drinking fine wines, going on an e-bike tour, or taking a surfing lesson—find a fun hands-on activity to put on your wedding registry page to make a bundle of amazing future date nights together.

Who says the best wedding gifts involve practical things? Maybe you just want to be able to plan your honeymoon for some R&R after the wedding. With the gift of experiences you and your spouse will have many more stories to those that made the trip possible. So add those surf lessons in Maui, request a romantic dinner night in the city of lights or ask your nearest and dearest to support your fitness goals with a new rowing machine. Remember that you should always include at least one other registry to keep options flowing. Other websites offer a universal registry so you can even ask your guests to help with cash funds for a new home you've been eyeing. It's your registry, you can do whatever you want!

Beyond the wedding gifts on the registry is knowing how to present them to your guests way before the wedding day. Aside from setting up the registry at least six months before the date, it’s important to note that proper etiquette dictates that you don’t mention the registry on the actual wedding invitation.

A lot of people use their wedding website to add the registry. Then, after they’ve told their immediate family and wedding party, word-of-mouth drips down the grapevine. Eventually, whoever hosts the bridal shower and engagement party (not you or your spouse) will more than likely add the registry onto those invitations.

A very popular question that pops up all the time: how many items should we be registering? The answer: multiply the amount of guests by two and then top off with some more! Additionally, as the wedding date approaches you’ll want to review and update your list.

Choices for wedding gift ideas start to dwindle as the big date approaches. Give friends and family a chance to get wedding gifts that you’ll really appreciate instead of getting stuck with something that you could easily purchase with the post wedding completion discount. Don't be shy, continue to add gifts!

If you'd like to speak with someone in-person and think you'd benefit from a more hands-on approach, there are options available for free registry consultations that you can easily book online in minutes. Just choose a suitable location, check their hours and availability, and select an option. It's as straightforward as that!

Once you've created your list and shared it with your loved ones, it's essential to stay organized so you can express your gratitude for their generosity. Fortunately, a helpful gift tracker has been designed to assist you in managing your gifts. The Guest List Manager allows you to keep track of who gave what (and when), and if you have sent thank you notes yet.

Indeed, now you can make the most of your wedding registry experience!