The Entertaining Couple’s Guide to Wedding Registry

You both love the opportunity to host–a dinner party, a holiday festivity, a game night. You are planning an epic wedding day celebration. You want your newlywed home to be a social hub for your loved ones. The more the merrier, right? Your union is about creating a family and having a sense of community. You want married life to be about gathering and sharing experiences, with food, drinks, and lots of baked goods on display. 

Make the most of your wedding registry by equipping your gift list with everything you need to entertain. This may mean having more than one dinnerware set or making sure you register for enough champagne flutes. Your registry should reflect the host-worthy home of your dreams, so go beyond the essential items for just the two of you date nights. Your best gifts will keep on giving beyond the wedding date. Be sure to add items that feel a little bit like shopping for the next party on your list. 

Just how entertaining are you two? Check The Basics for your standard items every host should have, The Splurge for elevated nice-to-haves, and The Overachiever for top level, entertainer extraordinaire status.  

Table linens are a delicate but impactful touch to any event, especially when food is being served. If you are the couple who likes to dress things up or shop for all the trimmings, this group of registry gifts is for you. From the simple items you’ll want handy to the extra touches that elevate your entertaining game, be sure to register with your home–or future dream home–entertaining spaces in mind. If it is for you. From the simple items you’ll want handy to the extra touches that elevate your entertaining game, be sure to register with your home–or future dream home–entertaining spaces in mind.

Your happy hosting environment wish list must include a couple basics, like a fancy table cloth and real cloth napkins. These touches will make your dinnerware stand out, and, let’s be honest, make your friends and family take you seriously as the entertainers you truly are. You’ll be glad for these gifts as soon as you host your first dinner party as newlyweds. 

Up your mealtime entertaining game with items like place mats and napkin holders. Especially if you already have a few table dressings, these extras make for an impressive tablescape, straight out of the fancy home magazines. They’re a great way to make your guests feel like there’s a literal place for each of them at your table and in your married life.

Dress your table like the pros. Register for table runners, to go atop your table cloth and to add dimension to any tablescape, from casual barbecue to fancy tea party. Hosting dinner al fresco? Outdoor linens are a game changer for turning any outdoor entertainment scenario into a real deal fiesta. 

For the boozy basics, you’ll want to have ice on hand, so if you don’t have a freezer with an ice maker, add ice cube trays to the list. Add some funky shaped trays, if it suits you, but cubes will do the trick. A cocktail shaker and a muddler will make you look like true mixed drink aficionados. And a bottle opener is, well, kind of necessary to get the party started.    

If you already have the makings of a basic bar setup, register for these unexpected drinking delights. An ice maker takes you a level above manual ice trays–hello fancy shaved ice! Serving bubbly wedded bliss in the form of spritzes and sparkling spirits? You will be thrilled to have a soda stream on deck. It’s the perfect splurge for your registry as an assist for cocktails, mocktails, and festive water sips. If wedded winos is more your speed, a Coravin wine preservation system is the ultimate. Choose from systems that keep your wines ready to drink for weeks, months, or even years. Wine-not?!  

Are you the couple who pores over the wine list for the perfect pour? Show off your impeccable taste with the works. Register for a stylish bar cart–a statement piece that also holds your best bottles and more. An ice bucket and wine chiller are restaurant-level entertaining equipment perfect for your registry. And get the smoothest, splashless pours with a set of bottle pourers. 

Forget combining two mismatched sets of plates, flatware, and cups. You’ll want to register for a trusty dinnerware set. Think about having extra cups and glasses on the list, for all the extra place settings you intend on having at your newlywed table. Have fun with these basics. Choose a style that suits you both. Most dinnerware sets come with 16 pieces, but you can also browse extras a la carte. 

Married life calls for upgraded stemware. Add a set of wine glasses and champagne flutes to your registry list, to toast to your love with a little opulence or elegance. These splurge items compliment your new barware and make any occasion feel like the real deal. Sophistication looks good on the newlywed you.    

You are the couple who wants to show out at the dinner party. This means registering for some things that are mostly just for show, like charger plates. Okay, they will protect your new table cloth, too. Go bold and creative, think personality and versatility. Add a decanter or two to the list for a fine dining experience at home.

A couple of basics is a good rule of thumb for extras like these. Register for at least a couple serving dishes or trays, a serving spoon and fork, and a set of tongs. Promise they’ll come in handy, both for entertaining and for meals at home for the two of you. Anticipate the ask to pass the salt and pepper shakers by adding a set to the registry list. And, for easy-to-pass and serve beverages, sign up for a good pitcher or carafe, or two.

Serveware is all about showcasing and sharing. Register for the next level with items like a cheese board–the best tool for Our Table™ Everett Organic Edge Serving Board | Bed Bath & Beyond showing off your charcuterie skills and making it easy for guests to grab snacks. A cake stand, too, makes dessert look prettier, and a salad bowl makes for greens that go around the table easier. 

If you’re looking to achieve that 5-star service rating with your loved ones, ask them to get you ready to serve. Top off your list with small but mighty winners like a butter dish and gravy boat. A cake server set makes cutting any cake a cinch, and a bread basket speaks for itself! 

If you're planning to be host a get together with friends, you'll most likely want some form of light entertainment. These editor picks allow you to set the scene with some background music or host the most epic game night. 

Do you have a backyard or patio space that deserves the spotlight? If so, we highly recommend decorating your space with string lights to set the vibe making it a perfect setting for those warm summer nights. Or if you or your partner love to grill, put some hot dogs on and call it a BBQ block party with these top grill picks. 

Are you and your partner movie or television buffs? Check out these products to host an outdoor movie night or stream a live concert for surround sound!

When you have that “more the merrier” type of love, you look forward to serving each other and your extended families. Have some fun with your wedding gift registry, and remember to put serveware at the top of the list. You’ll be so happy to unwrap wedding gifts that will help you kick off your next big soiree after the wedding. To choose what to register for and actually end up loving it, think about the occasions you plan to spend together, the holidays you’ll share, and the foods you love to pass around a table. This list will have you serving up the love you always do, with style.

For more wedding registry advice and wedding planning help, turn to Loverly's Masterclass course offerings. From flawless wedding to dream honeymoon to married life and beyond, expert tools are just a few clicks away.