kgossman One of the most exciting parts of planning a wedding is setting up your wedding registry! It’s like online shopping while other people pay. I know you have a lot on your to-do list, but taking the time to set up a registry and research items is important. This is probably the last opportunity you’ll have to really upgrade most of your household items at once. If you’re like me and you’ve been living on your own for years, you probably have most everything you want or need already. But your registry is a great opportunity to replace worn-out items or upgrade them with nicer versions. These items will be the foundation of your new life together so you want to choose quality items that you’ll enjoy, love, and use. Here’s what you need to create a registry that’s totally you, while appealing to your guests.
Determine Your Needs
Before you start adding items to your registry, take some time to assess your needs and lifestyle as a couple. Consider your current living situation, future plans, and any specific items that will upgrade your day-to-day life. Think about your kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, and any hobbies or activities you enjoy as a couple. Are you big foodies, bookworms, or adventure seekers? Think about your hobbies, interests, and dreams, and let those guide your registry choices. Your registry should show your style and personality.
If you live with roommates or family, you may not have much on your own and that’s great! You’ll have no trouble picking out everything you need for your new place. Personally, I lived on my own for years before I got engaged, so I really didn’t need a lot. Honestly, I struggled at first with adding enough items for all of my guests to choose from. But as I thought through things or washed them or picked them up around my house, I got more ideas. There are tons of idea lists posted online to help you pick things if you already have everything. Obviously, I chose upgrades for my comforter, sheets, towels, and pot and pan set. There were a few kitchen items I was missing or hadn’t bought for myself yet. And there were some bigger lawn items I hadn’t gotten around to buying. Those definitely went on the list!
Once you make your registry, you can continue to tweak it and adjust it as you think of things or change your mind. Share it with your partner to get their input as well. It’s important that both of you are included.
Choose the Right Places
You can still go to physical stores to create your registry, but nowadays most of it is done online. You can use individual sites like Williams Sonoma, Target, and Amazon or you can use a site like Zola or The Knot and link them altogether. Choose stores and brands that align with your style, offer a variety of products you want, and are easy to use for guests.
Pick a Variety of Price Points
To accommodate guests with different budgets, it’s important to include items at varying price points on your registry. Include both high-ticket items like kitchen appliances or furniture and more affordable options like small kitchen gadgets and decorative pieces. This way, guests can choose something that suits their budget without feeling obligated to spend beyond their means. Choose a variety of items in different price ranges ($5-25, $25-50, $50-100, and $100+). Guests can choose one item in that range or bundle several items together to get where they want to be.
Choose a Good Mix
I also like to choose a good mix of items in different categories for people to choose from. Bath, Kitchen, Bedroom, Outdoors, Power Tools, Sports, and Honeymoon are all good choices. A foodie will be more inclined to choose something for your kitchen. A techie would love to get those speakers for you! Someone who loves the outdoors will enjoy purchasing camping stuff. You want to choose items that your guests want to buy. I like a good mix of relaxed and formal items, with a little quirky mixed in! People tend to buy items they like themselves, so offer a wide variety.
Experiences and Funds
In addition to physical gifts, consider adding experiences to your wedding registry. This could include gift certificates for a romantic dinner, a weekend getaway, or even contributions towards your honeymoon. Additionally, you may choose to support a cause close to your heart by including options for charitable donations. You can register for store gift cards or set up funds for different items. Zola even offers funds for home renovations and sports tickets. The sky’s the limit!
Spread the Word
Make sure to clearly communicate your registry details to your guests. Include the information on your wedding website, save-the-dates, or invitations. Provide the necessary links and instructions for accessing the registry, and emphasize that gifts are not mandatory but appreciated. Be open to receiving a variety of gifts and encourage guests to add a personal touch to their selections, if you want that.
Update and Manage Your Registry
As gifts start coming in or if you change your mind about certain items, keep your wedding registry up to date. Refresh it periodically to ensure your guests have a range of choices. If you see that almost everything is purchased, add more items to give guests a variety of choices. Remember to keep track of who gave you what, so you can send your thank-yous later. Thank you notes should be sent out within one month of receiving gifts.
Creating a wedding registry is a fun opportunity to build your married life together. By following these steps, you can create a registry that reflects your needs and lifestyle while providing your guests with a range of options they’ll enjoy purchasing. Remember, the most important aspect of your wedding is celebrating your love and commitment, the gifts are just an added bonus. Happy planning!
You might also like Reasons You Need a Wedding Planner