First off, CONGRATS on getting engaged. This is an extremely exciting time in your life!!!
With that excitement comes decisions, and with those decisions come stress.
Don’t let that distress put a damper on your pre-wedding excitement. Marriage is a wonderful thing and you’ll have many years to stress out over other things.
When it comes to a wedding registry it can be easy to load it up with all of your big dream wish list items that you want but don’t need immediately. That certainly is one way to go, just don’t forget the practical items as well.
This list I highly flexible depending on where you are in your life. If this is a second marriage or you’re older then you may have most of the basics you need already. But if you’re relatively young, you’ll still be figuring out what a household of more than one needs. Customize it to fit your situation.
Start with the basic items for your home
You want to make sure you get the necessary things on there. You may even have some of them but want an upgrade.
- Towels: bathroom, kitchen, beach
- Utensils: forks, knives, spoons, spatula, chopsticks, tongs, etc..
- Dishes: plates, bowls, cups, coffee mugs, wine glasses
- Serving Dishes: platters, large bowls, pitchers, butter dish
- Cookware: baking, pots, pans, cast iron, french press
- Electronics/Appliances: coffee pot, toaster oven, toaster, microwave, vacuum cleaner, crock pot, alarm clock
- Decorations: picture frames, sheets/duvet/comforter
Next- Go for extraneous or the big ticket items that you want but don’t need
There’s nothing wrong with doing this. All that could happen is that you don’t get it and have to buy it yourself later on.
I’ve heard sentences similar to this many times at weddings, “I wish I could’ve gotten them a tv instead of spending so much on traveling here.” OR “It cost me a lot to get here. My presence is the gift.”
Why? Because people are busy. They have a lot going on and don’t always have the extra time or money to spend on plane tickets, wedding outfits, and hotels then get a gift. Those travel expenses alone can be hundreds or thousands of dollars! They may prefer to buy a nice present and send best wishes.
- Bathroom: bath mats, toilet paper holder, in home spa sets, water flosser, towel warmer
- Decorations: indoor plants, rugs, storage baskets, mirrors, lava lamp, candles, throw blankets
- Furniture: couch, chairs, dining table, tv stand, shelves, mattress, bedroom suite, desk, futon
- Outdoor Items: grill, porch decor, plant stand, fire pit, porch swing, hammock
- Electronics: air purifier, deep freezer, television, treadmill, Xbox, sound bar, washer/dryer, stereo system
Sometimes family members will go in together to buy a higher priced item. I know I would rather split the cost of a nice dining room table or front porch swing with a few people and know it will be well used and loved, rather than get a set of napkin rings or crystal punch bowl that I don’t think would get used often if ever.
Don’t forget to add enough items to your wedding registry
This blunder happens often. It isn’t enough to just put the item down, you have to specify how many you want of each has well. It would stink to get 3 towels or 1 wine glass, especially if they end up getting sold out or discontinued and you can’t buy the rest of the set on your own.
Have a wonderful wedding day!
North Carolina, USA