You’re engaged — congratulations!
Now it’s time to plan your wedding; one of the first steps is starting your wedding registry.
You and your partner may be excited, but also overwhelmed at the thought of creating your newlywed wish list. There aren’t any set rules when setting up your registry, but there are some helpful etiquette guidelines that most couples follow. Get ready to learn about how to set up your registry, where to register, what to register for, and some etiquette guidelines to follow.
When to Register
You want to make sure you register early! You will probably have bridal showers with friends, family and co-workers prior to your actual wedding date, so have your registry set up before then! If any family members are traveling from out of town, they’ll likely want to purchase gifts ahead of time for wrapping – or even to mail to your designated address. Don’t worry – you can almost always add more items later on if you think of them. Etiquette suggests registering at least 4-6 months before your big day!
In order to make sure guests are purchasing from your registry and not from their own imaginations, Ball Event Center recommends including a link or URL to your registry in your wedding invitation.
Where to Register and How to Set It Up
You have a few options when it comes to deciding where to register – several favorite stores include Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, Crate and Barrel and even Amazon. It’s pretty easy to create a registry at each of these places. Just peruse and select items online in the comfort of your own home; or if you prefer to see items firsthand, you can register for items in-store, with or without the help of a sales associate.
Online registries are great for convenience. You can choose items from anywhere – at home, in the car, or at work – even creating different registries for different stores! This option is also handy for your guests who can ship gifts straight to your designated address! Even if you started your registry in-person, many stores will let you add things online afterwards.
After you have chosen where to register and started your lists, you can take it step further and create a master registry on a website like theknot.com. This makes it easy to send people one link where they can browse and purchase from all the items listed on all of your registries.
What to Register For
When deciding what to register for, think about what you already have. Register for items that you don’t have and do need, but also consider registering for items that you may want to update or replace.
Also, make sure you register for enough gifts! Register for more items than guests invited to the wedding. This way guests will have options and price ranges to choose from. Having items in different price ranges is a great idea! Some people will buy an individual item, while a group of people may go in on a more expensive item or set of items.
Don’t forget to think about every room in your house. You don’t have to limit registry items to the kitchen! Living room décor, bedding, bathroom or cleaning supplies…it takes a lot to run a household – and we want you to be fully prepared to start your married life together! Make sure items you are registering for fit both you and your partner.
Below are some popular registry items to get your own list started:
- Cookware
- Bakeware
- Knives
- Cutting boards
- Stand mixer
- Utensils
- Silverware
- Mixing bowls
- Salt and pepper mills
- Colander
- Pasta maker
- Rice cooker
- Toaster oven
- Specialty appliances such as Instant Pots and air-fryers
- Combo coffee and espresso machines
- A high-powered blender
- Barware
- Everyday dishware
- Everyday drinking glasses
- Wine glasses (red and white)
- Champagne flutes
- Additional serveware
- Pitchers
- Teapot
- Cheese and charcuterie boards
- Cheese knives
- Specialty glassware (margarita glasses, martini glasses, rocks glasses)
- Bar cart
- Cake stand
- Wine decanter
- High-quality game sets (chess, mahjong) and playing cards
- Sheet sets
- Duvet cover
- Bath towels
- Hand towels
- Washcloths
- Guest towels
- Bath mats
- Picture frames
- Throw blankets
- Grilling gear
- Flower vases
- Storage and organizing essentials
- Patio furniture
- Firepits and patio heat lamps
- Indoor plants and pots
- Home office essentials
- Personalized stationery
- Luggage
- Camping equipment
- Sporting equipment
- At-home workout equipment
- Gift Cards to place you are registered and not registered
Don’t forget to say Thank You!
The most important rule of etiquette is gratitude! The simplest way to express your thanks (while planning and executing your big event) is to take a notebook along to each shower, party and of course, your wedding. Often the bride will ask the maid of honor to manage this task, but if your best girl has a lot to do, you may consider asking another close friend who is NOT in your bridal party to be in charge of noting which gifts are from whom.
Write in this book each gift and who gifted it. This way, after your wedding, you’ll be able to sit down and write a special, handwritten, personalized note to each family member or friend who purchased gifts for you. Plus, you won’t forget which gifts are from where!
Gift Returns
After all is said and done, don’t be afraid to return items that you no longer want or that aren’t on your registry. Sometimes guests overlook the “already purchased” comment and may gift you the same items multiple times. Just return the extra set if you won’t need it and say thank you to both parties! They’ll never need to know.
Are you or a loved one still looking for that perfect wedding venue? Ball Event Center offers full service at affordable prices; just check out our facilities and amenities here. We’d love to help you celebrate!
