If you’re like my partner and I: in your 30s, (thankfully) financially stable, potentially already own a home, and now getting married, your wedding registry might look a little different than most. I’m here for you.
When building your wedding registry, there are a few key thoughts you should keep in mind:
- Make sure your list is reflective of items that you and your partner would want as a couple, but also that you each might each like based on your own interests
- Consider non-traditional items for “outside the home” - activities, hobbies, cash funds, etc.
- Support small businesses, support local
- Bundle items into price categories so that everyone has options to choose from
- Focus on items that you actually need and want
You generally start creating your online wedding registry with the creation of your wedding website on platforms such as The Knot, Joy, Zola, and others. The nice thing about these sites is that they allow you to build one registry, using different stores - Amazon, Target, Pottery Barn, Etsy, etc. Our experience was in using Joy, which allows you to add and define Cash Funds, as well, which we appreciated.
It’s easy to add plates, silverware, platters, and other traditional items, but really focus on items that excite you both individually. When we talked about our registry, I knew that I wanted an automatic vacuum for our pool, and my partner knew he wanted a Blackstone flat surface grill. If you need kitchenware, of course, add those on, but don’t limit yourself.
We love going camping, so you can bet we had a new tent, air mattress, and rolltop aluminum table on our registry. These are great options for people to buy individually, but also for groups to bundle into a “theme gift”! In considering your hobbies - do you like to garden? Add in new gloves, shears, pots, and even soil. Interested in traveling? Luggage, bag tags, and storage unit dividers!
We also weren’t shy about our cash funds - you’ll find a cash fund for new garage doors for our house, a honeymoon fund, and even our wedding photo book from our photographer. Family and friends can contribute what they want, and ultimately they know it’ll be going towards something that’s truly important to you.
Sure, you’ve likely searched Etsy 100 times by now for wedding-related decor items, but did you consider supporting small businesses for your wedding registry? Did you add grill tongs and a spatula from Amazon? Instead, look up a wood artisan that could also engrave your names on something they create. Pottery Barn Acacia salad bowl and platter? How about handmade by a craftsman at DragonForgedStudios in Georgia. Coasters from Target? You’ll find beautifully homemade macrame coasters from thisgreyspace on Etsy.
You’ll find that many websites bundle the items you add into pricing tiers for you. It’s best to make your lowest price range the most robust - to provide great options for your budget-conscious friends', but also for the reason above - friends and family can purchase these gifts together! We found it best to have a majority of gifts in the $20-150 range, a variety of items in the $150-300 range, and the least amount of “bigger ticket” items in the $300+ range.
Lastly, It’s easy to get sucked into the “recommended gifts” that sites will suggest you add to your registry. Believe me, I definitely added a few of those to my list, too, but make sure you need and want the items you select. If you add too many of these other items, you may not end up getting the items you really want.
Ultimately, whatever you end up adding to your wedding registry, you’ll enjoy for years to come. Most importantly, just remember to really enjoy the moments with those that are gifting you these special items. It’s easy to get swept up in the “things,” but appreciating the family and friends that you receive them from is even more important. Congratulations to you and enjoy every moment of this ride.
