One benefit of hosting an amazing wedding is more wedding gifts! But what do you want and actually need? Read on for wedding registry advice to figure out where to get started and how to avoid ending up with unwanted items!
What Should you Add
Quality items that will last
When looking for the perfect registry items you will want to look at reviews and find products that will last. No one likes to have to replace an item a year later because the quality was poor.
Items that fit your style and decor
What color palette and vibe are you going for in your home? Now is the time to envision the space you want to create for you and your partner to enjoy.
Items that you will use and enjoy
Think about the household and entertainment items that you use all the time or that enjoy. Maybe you and your partner like to bake together. Think about items that you want to upgrade or that you have been wanting that can make that experience more enjoyable!
Registry Must-Haves
Four categories you must not overlook for your registry include quality cookware, luxury linens, kitchen appliances, household appliances, and an entertaining essential!
Quality Cookware
Whether it’s a cast-iron skillet or an entire set of pots and pans, upgrade to cookware that will last! Caraway Cookware, Le Creuset, All-Clad, and Calphalon are all brands that you should definitely check out.
Luxury Linens
What’s better than falling asleep to your new Husband or Wife in super comfy sheets! Or perhaps it’s time to upgrade those hand towels you still have from college?
Kitchen Appliances
This is it – now is the time to get a Kitchenaid! Or if you’re a caffeine addict, maybe you add a Keurig, Nespresso, or a fancy coffee maker to your registry.
Entertaining Essentials
Remember it’s your closest friends and family that will be buying these gifts. They are sure to be excited about the thought of you hosting them AND using something they gifted you! Add formal options to your wine, cocktail, or beer glass collection, or add in stylish bowls, boards, or platters to serve in style!
Household Appliances
We know you have been eyeing that Dyson Animal Cordless Stick Vacuum and Bissel Crosswave! Now is the perfect time to add those to your registry as well as any other household appliance you might need.
Avoid Unusable Gifts
Now that you have ideas on what to include on your list, we have some tips for you to help narrow down your choices. First of all, when choosing your items, keep in mind how much space you have in your living space. Do you really have counter space for that huge Kitchenaid? Evaluate your current living space before you head into a store or add items online to your registry that may end up in the donate pile.
On another note, if you get that item, how often will you use it? Is this something that you’ll have to make time to learn how to use? If so, don’t let us hold you back! Just be realistic on how much use you’ll get out of the item. Picking what you want to add to your registry can get overwhelming quickly. If you keep these tips in mind, they should go over a little more smoothly.
Cash Registries
Cash registries like Zola’s cash funds and The Knot’s cash fund have become more popular over recent years. Sometimes couples don’t want new items for various reasons and would rather use that money for experiences or their honeymoon. Honeymoon Wishes, Honeyfund, and Joy Honeymoon Registry are a few popular honeymoon registries you can also check out. Whatever you decide to do with that money, cash registries can be a nice alternative to items. They allow you to decide exactly how that money is spent. If you can’t part ways with some items, some registries allow you to have both options.
Where to Create A Registry
Now you’re ready to make some choices! If you haven’t already, start creating a wedding website. It’s a one-stop-shop for all things related to your wedding for your guests, and that includes your registry.
Wedding websites like Zola and The Knot allow you to create a registry right on their website templates. You can also link your registry from online stores like Amazon and Target. The added benefit of Target, Bed Bath + Beyond, etc is that you can go in person and get a better idea of what the items look like in real life.
Review It Once More!
Now that you’ve added all your favorite items to your registry (total quantity depending on how many guests you are inviting), you can sit back, relax, and watch them all be bought! Actually – nope! We advise checking in on your registry again at least four weeks before the wedding when a lot of your guests will be buying their gifts.
You might have filled it out six months prior and items could now be running slim from being previously purchased (perhaps for a wedding shower), or simply out-of-stock! Don’t forget to give your registry a small update around the time RSVPs are due.
Complete Weddings + Events in Bentonville, Arkansas
Planning a wedding is an exciting time in your life, but when it starts to become overwhelming, know there are experts who are happy to help! Complete Weddings + Event Northwest Arkansas can help check more off your wedding planning to-do list. Contact us for details on our wedding day services including day-of coordination, photo booth, lighting, DJ, videography, and photography!