How To: Wedding Registry

Filed Under: FOR COUPLES, Planning Tips | Posted February 28, 2024

Have you started making your wedding registry yet, or are you a little stuck? Don’t worry – we’ve got you!

Wedding registries are one of the best parts of a wedding – gifts! Your guests want to gift you with everything that you might need as a newlywed couple, and this is the best way to do it. It’s more than just a list; it’s a curated selection of gifts that will help you and your partner start your new life together. Whether you’re dreaming of kitchen gadgets, cozy home decor, or unforgettable experiences, we’re here to guide you through crafting a registry that reflects your unique journey as a couple.

Deciding What You Need:

Begin by evaluating your needs and desires as a couple. Are you setting up a new home and need essential items or are you more interested in experiences and cash funds for your honeymoon? Your registry should reflect your personal lifestyle and future plans. If you’re already well-equipped with home essentials, consider leaning towards experiences or a honeymoon fund.

Creating a Diverse List:

Sit down with your partner for a brainstorming session. Think about everything from practical kitchenware to gadgets, home decor, and even outdoor equipment. Don’t forget to consider experiences and travel plans post-wedding. This list is about what you both truly want or need – so let your imagination run wild! Be sure to check out this list frequently forgotten items couples wish they had added to their registry!

Choosing the Right Registry Platform:

The digital age has revolutionized wedding registries. Opt for a user-friendly wedding website that offers universal registry options, allowing you to compile a diverse range of gifts in one place. Platforms like Amazon can be particularly handy for regular users, providing a seamless experience for both you and your guests.

Balancing Your Registry

You’ll want to make sure you are choosing items/experiences that range in prices. If you’re only adding things to your registry that are hundreds of dollars a piece, it will be a lot harder for your guests to want to buy something from it, and a lot less likely for you to get the items you are putting on the list. However, most wedding registry sites will do something called “Group Gifting”, where guests can add any amount of money to specific items that they would like. If you’re shooting for more expensive items, you might consider looking into a site with this feature to let multiple people contribute to buying you certain things!

Put more than what you need on it. Even if you feel like you don’t need certain things or are going overboard with it, add it in! Trust us, you would much rather want guests to have lots of options of gifts to choose from for you!

Make sure you are choosing the items that you’re adding to the registry carefully. We’ve all been there when what we ordered online finally came in and it was nothing like what we bought online. Do some research into each item you’re adding to the list, because people are buying whatever you put on there! 

If anything, just ask for cash or make a cash-fund! Yes, we understand that you might hate asking for money, but we promise that it is totally normal! Would you rather be gifted double of everything you already have, or would you rather just get money that you can put toward something else – like your honeymoon, different traveling experiences, a new home, renovations to your current home, etc.

Update your registry consistently. Once you’ve put the word out there and/or posted the registry link, you have no idea when people are going to get on there and buy you things. Check it fairly often, and update/add things to it as needed!

Embrace the Process:

Remember, there’s no right or wrong way to create your wedding registry. It’s a reflection of your unique bond and future together. So take this opportunity to make choices that delight and excite you both.

Your wedding registry is a wonderful opportunity to think about what truly matters to you as a couple. Whether it’s the thrill of setting up a new home, planning your dream honeymoon, or simply gathering the essentials, your registry is a path to creating the future you envision together. So go ahead, dive in, and enjoy every moment of this special journey!

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I'm so excited to have you here! Have fun browsing through recent CJM weddings, reading advice for fellow couples getting married, and taking a peek into my personal life!

Owner & Lead Coordinator of CJM, Indy-based wedding planning and design team

Hi, I’m Chloe.