The Everygirl’s Wedding Registry Guide

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Whispering Willow Soap

The wedding registry. The chance to create the ultimate wish list for your home and new life together. What could easily be considered one of the most fun parts of planning a wedding sometimes ends up becoming stressful or overwhelming. To avoid ending up with a dozen serving dishes, mismatched plates, and no flatware at all, we’ve laid out a simple checklist of items all new couples should plan on having in their new home together. Take note that if you already have a number of these items, no need to ask for them unless you want to upgrade!

There are also several key factors to consider:
1. What type of couple are you and your fiance? Do you enjoy cooking? Entertaining? Perhaps you prefer being entertained? Are you both outdoorsy? Do you enjoy wine, cocktails, or beer? All of the above, none of the above? How you answer these questions will determine what you should be registering for. What do we mean? Well, if you prefer one of these activities over the other, you should prioritize registering for items in that department.

2. Consider where you’ll be living after the wedding, and think about space! Storage space that is. Sure you might want all the cool kitchen gadgets or dream of having a grill one day, but where will these items and boxes go in the mean time? If storage, cabinet space, and closets are a non-issue, then register away! Otherwise, try and keep it to the bare essentials and ask for things you really need.

3. Numbers 1 and 2 bring me to my third point. How many place settings do you need? Far too often couples don’t register for enough, thinking four or six will suffice. And maybe that is enough for a year or two. But our recommendation? Take the advice from the wise Nora Ephron. You may recall the line from Sleepless in Seattle when Meg Ryan and Bill Pullman are registering and get asked how many place settings they wanted. They simultaneously respond, “Eight. Six is never enough. Ten is too many.”

4. Finally, your age and place in life will determine what you need off this list. Two 23-year-olds getting married and starting their lives together need a lot more things than two 33-year-olds who have lived in their own furnished spaces for the past ten years and have probably acquired most of the home essentials. The former should consider registering for all of the basics; think of this as a way to build your home together. The latter should consider two options: 1. either upgrading current house-ware, particularly in the dining and linens categories, or 2. starting unconventional registries (i.e. www.depositagift.com, which allows people to pay for things you’re looking to buy like a fabulous honeymoon or even a down payment on a home).

5. When it comes to choosing style of things (plates, glassware, linens), don’t waste time, effort, or stress arguing if you have different taste. When in doubt, choose white. It might seem boring or like the easy way out, but these timeless, traditional styles are versatile and will last you much longer than gold polka dotted plates you’re currently obsessed with. Add the fun, colorful, patterned stuff later.

6. Try and keep the number of stores you register at to two or three. You can usually get most items in if you choose one of the larger department stores and a smaller specialty shop. See our list below.

Click here to download and print off The Everygirl’s Wedding Registry Guide handbook!

DINING AND ENTERTAINING

For Serving
- chip & dip dish
- large flat serving platter (2-4)
- small flat serving platter (2-4)
- large serving bowl (2-4)
- small serving bowl (2-4)
- salad tongs
- serving spoon
- serving fork
- cake stand
- glass pitcher

For Eating
- dinner plates (8-12)
- salad plates (8-12)
- bowls (8-12)
- flatware place setting (8-12)
- steak knives (at least 6)

For Drinking
- drinking glasses (8-12)
- tumblers (8-12)
- mugs (8-12)
- red wine glasses (8-12)
- white wine glasses (8-12)
- champagne glasses (8-12)
- cocktail shaker
- bar tools set
- ice bucket & tongs
- wine opener
- coasters

COOKING

For Cooking
- knives (chef’s, chopping, bread, etc.)
- non-stick frying pan (2)
- stainless steel frying pan
- grill pan
- 9×9 or 9×12 glass baking dish
- cast iron Dutch oven
- mixing bowls (set of 3)
- glass prep bowls
- meat thermometer
- colander
- wood cutting board
- poly cutting board
- heat-resistant tongs
- peeler
- cheese grater
- kitchen shears
- pepper mill & salt grinder
- stainless steel grill tool set

For Baking
- metal sheet trays (2+)
- muffin tin
- cake pan
- measuring cups
- measuring spoons
- wooden spoon
- spatula
- whisk
- cooling rack

LINENS

For the Bathroom
- sheet towels (4+)
- hand towels (4+)
- wash cloths (4+)
- shower curtain
- bath mat
- robe (2)

For the Bedroom
- flat sheet
- fitted sheet
- standard pillow cases (2+)
- pillow shams (2 – standard or Euro)
- duvet cover
- blanket or quilt
- down comforter
- pillows (standard and Euro)
- bedskirt

For the Kitchen & Home
- throw blankets
- throw pillows
- doormat
- dish towels
- cloth napkins
- tablecloth
- placemats

APPLIANCES AND ELECTRONICS

For Entertaining
- television
- DVD/BluRay player
- surround sound speakers
- iPod sound system
- camera
- sleep sound machine

For Cooking
- crockpot
- food processor or blender
- toaster or toaster oven
- hand mixer or standing mixer
- espresso machine
- coffee maker

For Cleaning
- vacuum
- dust buster
- hamper
- cordless iron
- ironing board
- steamer
- air purifier
- humidifier

WHAT TO AVOID

Kitchen Gimmicks You’ll Rarely Use
- quesadilla maker
- panini press
- fondue set
- popcorn maker
- silver dollar pancake pan
- pasta maker

Superfluous Serving Dishes
- cupcake stand
- more than one tiered serving stand
- mismatched serving pieces
- egg platter
- sushi service
- wooden bowls (can only serve dry food in)
- overpriced serving dishes (white porcelain is beautiful and practical)

Miscellaneous
- expensive frames or decor (your taste might change)
- decorative bowls (you will likely never use them)
- too many vases (no more than 2 or 3)

WHERE TO REGISTER

The Big Guys That Have It All
Amazon.com
Bed Bath & Beyond
Bloomingdale’s
Carson’s
Crate and Barrel
JCPenney
Kohl’s
Macy’s
Neiman Marcus
Pottery Barn
Sears
Target

Smaller or Specialty Shops
Anthropologie*
Antiquaria
Bering’s
Best Buy
Heath Ceramics
MoMA Store
Number Four Eleven
Quintessentials
Simon Pearce
Stone Textile Studio
Sur la Table
Taigan
Ten Thousand Villages
REI
Serena and Lily
Williams-Sonoma
Tiffany & Co.

*not formal registry / use wish list

Alternative & Online Registries
www.depositagift.com
www.foodieregistry.com
www.myregistry.com
www.newlywish.com
www.simpleregistry.com

Click here to download and print off The Everygirl’s Wedding Registry Guide handbook!

alaina kaczmarski

Rachel Moger

As a wedding planner, my clients usually ask if I have a go-to list for registry items but nothing fits the bill quite like this. It’s versatile, small, and can be done at a lot of nationwide stores and purchased online. The specialty shops are great for an alternative registry, as it’s reccomended to register at more than one store.

I’ll be happy to pass this along! Thanks girls!

http://www.occasionseventdesign.blogspot.com
Annawithlove

Printing this out and bringing it with me next week when I register with my fiance! So helpful and what perfect timing
XO
http://weekendingblog.wordpress.com/ Victoria Minite

YES! just started our registries and it is so overwhelming! We are in the “two 23 year olds” category and are essentially starting from scratch. Printing this now! Thanks for the helpful guide xo
http://steelpetalpress.com/ Shayna Norwood

You also don’t need to register for THINGS. Many of my older friends getting married (who already had everything they need) used a honeymoon registry. http://www.honeymoonwishes.com/

In lui of gifts my husband and I choose 2-3 different charities that people could choose to donate to in our our name.Unfortunately you’ll also end up getting lots of gifts you didn’t register for from relatives you barely know.
http://www.LeBash.com/ Kate Anderson

This is amazing! I’ve been putting off even thinking about the registry because it seems so overwhelming. Thank you for posting!
guest

Great guide, thank you! I also love Garnet Hill’s bedding – I won’t buy anything else!
FrancescaMDeFranco

I LOVE this list. It is great to see everything you actually need (and don’t) in a list. Can’t wait to use it when Tim and I register!! You ladies are the best!
http://twitter.com/lovebird_prod Lovebird Productions

Oh my goodness! I don’t think I can pass this on to planning bride’s fast enough. Such an amazing resource! Thank you ladies!

P.s. I wish you were around when it was my turn to do all the registering!
Tola

Def. downloading and keeping this for when that time comes!

Very helpful indeed..infact will be fwding this link to every bride to be I know!

x
http://twitter.com/livloveblog livloveblog

You include items i would never give — ie: cleaning stuff. i want my friend to think of me in 20+ years when she sets the table for Xmas dinner & uses the salt/pepper shakers i gave her — not when she’s vacuuming dog hair from under the sofa. I wish you’d added that there is never EVER an appropriate way to ask for money. So many brides seem to think if they phrase it the right way / if they have everything they need / if they’re saving for a house / etc. — it’s ok to request cash. It isn’t.

That was my 2 cents – here are more thoughts:
http://livloveblog.com/2012/09/25/registries-tacky-or-tasteful/

http://theeverygirl.com/ The Everygirl

Actually I couldn’t disagree more. I would argue that the point of a gift isn’t about you and how you’ll be remembered… it’s about what the person (or in this case, couple) needs and wants. And quite frankly many young couples starting out need money, especially in today’s economy. A down payment on a house is far more practical than a fine China salt and paper shaker, despite how lovely the latter is. – Alaina

Michelle

I agree with Alaina and think that’s kinda a selfish way to look at it. I’d rather give someone something they need and will use everyday than something that makes me feel warm and fuzzy about giving them. Cleaning tools etc. add up in costs quickly when you are starting a new life.
P.S. Great post! – So useful!
http://twitter.com/livloveblog livloveblog

I was pretty clear — this is MY opinion… I’D prefer to give a piece of their china over a dust-buster. I don’t see how that makes me selfish. And while i think it’s perfectly OK to GIVE cash — it’s entirely different for someone to ASK for cash.
http://beautifullifeandstyle.com/ Erika G

I see it both ways. At the end of the day you have to remember its a gift. It’s something the bride and groom want AND something the gift giver is happy to give. Personally I’m not a fan of people registering for everything under the sun – I think a lot of people feel entitled and get a little swipe happy with the registry gun in their hands.

Register away, but I’m not giving you a trash can for your wedding (I’ve seen this item a lot). and to be honest, if its not china, crystal or silver I’m probably won’t pull off your registry- but that doesn’t mean I won’t find you something fabulous for you both to enjoy. Maybe an original piece of art or a fabulous bottle of wine. I think this list is a great starting point but everyone is different- including the gifters.

http://theeverygirl.com/ The Everygirl

Again – I think everything from wine to art is such a matter of taste… unless you know specific artists the couple likes, I think that’s a tough one. And I agree china, crystal, and silver are nice if the couple truly wants them, but far too often these items just sit. Don’t get me wrong. I believe that if you want or have these items, you should use them! Don’t just pull them out once a year and let them collect dust otherwise.

Thanks for sharing!

http://adiaryoflovely.blogspot.co.uk/ Helena – A Diary of Lovely

I completely agree with you Alaina! We are getting married soon, we are in our 30s and we have been leaving together for 5 years, our household is definitely mostly set and we don’t need much more, of course it would be lovely to get a KitchenAid, or a fine China salt and pepper shaker (!) but I rather have the cash and put it towards something that matters more at this time in our lives. I think people need to get over the fact that they think money is not correct! I completely agree with Michelle here, it’s a rather selfish way to look at it and very old fashioned.
On a different note and as I never really comment I wanted to say that this is a great post for all couple out there needing inspiration and ideas!

http://blog.stephaniecourt.com/ Stephanie

I’m in the middle of registering right now so this will definitely come in handy, but I can’t believe you left off Amazon for places to register! A lot of my friend that got married recently have registered on Amazon and they’ve loved it. The site has everything you could possibly need and it’s super easy for people to order online and ship it to you.

http://theeverygirl.com/ The Everygirl

You’re right! Amazon is wonderful. Totally forgot. Will add it to the list now. Thanks! And best of luck!

Yvonne

I’ve been cooking for 30+ years, three children later, and couldn’t have put together a better list
Kates

I sort of disagree on the place settings number. I go by the rule if you were to invite everyone in your family (or the bigger family of the two) to a dinner party, how many place settings would you need. For me since my husbands family has 5 kids we would need 12 place settings (1 for every sibling + spouse + parents). Sure for a normal dinner party you may not need that many but when you have the family over for your first holiday you will want to make sure everyone has a proper place setting and not using your everyday china.
http://twitter.com/MarryMeMetro Marry Me Metro Blog

Since my fiancé and I have been living together since college and we’re planning a destination wedding, we’re creating a honeymoon registry. We know some guests will still want to get us traditional gifts but since we already have most of the basics and everyone will be traveling, the honeymoon registry is a great wedding registry alternative for us.
Hallenee

I’d get 2 cake pans personally because then you can bake both halves of a Victoria Sponge (or chocolate) cake at the same time. Don’t know what I’d do without my sprung release cake pans. Great for cheesecake too!
http://twitter.com/CarleneRD Carlene Thomas RD

This is a great starting point for brides! And thank you for not suggesting ridiculous things to clog up the kitchen. My big recommendation is to go for quality. Buy the expensive pots and pans and use them for years.
Maggie

We’re registering right now! We’re doing a mixture of upgrades (pots and pans) and special items (china). We’re trying to keep an eye on prices too, making sure there is a good mix of $50ish items (and less) and also the $100 and over items. Never sure how people will spend, and we can always use our post-wedding discount to pick up things too. However, we have an air popper popcorn maker and can’t recommend it enough if you have space! Makes it so easy
http://celesteandpearl.blogspot.com/ Celesteandpearl@blogspot.com

Just got engaged and started our registry, so your timing is perfect. (And so are your suggestions!!) Thank you so much for sharing! Printing out too…
xx Liz {celesteandpearl.blogspot.com}
Mary Krulia

This is SO helpful! I’m printing it! Thank you!
julie

This article is perfect timing for me! I just registered at Bed Bath & Beyond a few weeks ago and was looking for a few more unique stores to use to fill in the gaps. Thanks!