Gift Ideas for Every Wedding Registry

Making a wedding registry is often a fun activity for engaged couples, and a good stress reliever in the midst of the other wedding planning chaos (I mean, who doesn’t want to run around Bed, Bath & Beyond with a scanner “gun” that automatically creates a wish list for you?). But in the midst of all that excitement, it’s easy to go overboard and add items that won’t get much use after being unwrapped.

Here are some helpful suggestions on what to put on your registry:

First, Consider Cost

A common pitfall for wedding registries is asking for gifts in the same price range. A list full of fancy china and and designer flatware is likely to be too expensive for most of your guests, but sticking to items under $40 is also restrictive for relatives who want to indulge on you. According to Vogue, it is polite for a guest to spend at least $50 on a gift, although depending on the guest’s stage in life and budget, they may spend $150.

Your registry’s price range should also reflect your stage in life. For example, younger couples under 25 likely have friends in the same age group with less money to spend, and so making the bulk of the registry at or under $40 will show courtesy to their wallets. On the other hand, if the couple is in their late 20s or 30s, their friends are likely established in their careers, with more to spend on gifts.

An average registry should have a price distribution like this:

• 25% under $50

• 30% between $50-$75

• 20% between $75-$100

• 10% between $100-$125

• 10% between $125-$150

• 5% between $150-$250

Kitchen & Dining Gifts

Kitchen- and dining-related gifts are extremely popular as wedding gifts, and compose the majority of most of wedding registries. Even if you already have a lot of kitchen stuff, getting married is a great excuse to either update or get useful items that you’d never splurge on by yourself.

• Cookie sheets

• Silpats

• Salad spinner

• 9x13 pans

• Ceramic casserole dish

• Glass salad bowl

• Slow cooker

• Immersion blender

• Electric kettle

• Knives

• Stainless steel pot

• Food processor

• Coffee maker

• Drinking glasses

• Panini press/indoor grill

• Roaster pan

• Cooling racks

• Cake pan

• Pie dish

• Stoneware bread pan

• Muffin tin

• Mixing bowls

• Pizza stone

• Silicone oven mitts

• Serving platter

• Serving tray

• Glass pitcher

• Stemless wine glasses

• Stemmed wine glasses

• Apple peel/corer/slicer

• Zester

• Spice rack

• Cast iron skillet

• Wine cooler

• Dishes

• Coffee mugs

• Food thermometer

• Tablecloths

Some of these options may seem boring, but it’s useful to have an extra tablecloth on hand if you spill on one. As for the entertaining gifts like platters, trays, casserole dishes, and salad bowls, it’s always nice to have something special to bring out when you have company over. Not all of these items may need to make it to your list, but pick and choose the ones you are most likely to appreciate and use.

Entertainment Gifts

It's common for couples to focus almost exclusively on kitchen and dining-specific items in their wedding registries, but it’s easy to start running out of ideas if you stay in that area. Consider adding some popular entertainment items to your registry.

• Blu-Ray players

• DVD racks

• Movies

• Streaming service subscription (Netflix, HBO, Hulu, etc.)

• Video games (Just Dance, Mario Kart, Splatoon, Super Smash Bros., etc.)

• Board games (Uno, Connect 4, Jenga, etc.)

• E-readers

• E-reader gift card

• Bluetooth speaker

• iTunes gift card

You can’t go wrong in asking for gifts in the entertainment category. These items help you bond as a couple, and make a great excuse to make time for date night. They’re also fun to bring out when you have friends or family over at your new home.

Outdoor Gifts

Whether or not your and your fiance are the outdoorsy type, registering for gifts in the outdoor category will help round out your new home. From yard care equipment (it’s more handy than you’d think) to outdoor games to camping gear, put the items you’re most likely to use from this list on yours.

• Camping Gear

• • Tent

  • Sleeping bags

  • Cast iron dutch oven

  • Marshmallow skewers

  • Camp chairs

  • Air mattress

• Hammock

• Yard care equipment

  • Lawn mower

  • Leaf blower

  • Rakes

  • Shovels

  • Gardening tools

• Picnic kit

• Grill

• Fire pit

• Outdoor sports kit (frisbee, bocce ball, badminton, croquet, etc.)

While outdoor appliances and products may not be quite as flashy or appealing as their indoor counterparts, they are integral to helping any couple make the most of their backyard—and to be sure, spending time outside, in gorgeous weather, is a fantastic practice for newlyweds and longtime partners alike!

Pet-Related Gifts

If you have a pet(s) and you’re fairly established as a couple, why not add your pet to the registry list?

• Cat tower

• Cat jungle gym

• Dog kennel

• iFetch

• Dog treadmill

• Barkbox

• Webcam

• Toys

• Cute pet outfit

These are a few suggestions, but it really only covers cats and dogs, and ultimately you know what your pet wants/needs. If you have a nontraditional pet (horse, lizard, snake, fish, parrot, etc.), this can work too! If there’s an item you’ve been thinking about getting but haven’t for whatever reason, now is a great time to bring your pet into the picture.

If you don’t have a pet yet, but would like to get one to kick off your marriage, a pet store gift certificate can make the perfect choice. As a gift certificate the funds can’t be used for other things, and it can wait until you and your new spouse are ready to take the plunge and go on a shopping spree to spoil your new pet rotten. Don’t forget to send a “thank you” picture to the one who bought the gift certificate!

Lifestyle Gifts

• Blankets

• Basic home security (Ex: iSmartAlarm Premium Package)

• Smartphone docking station/alarm clock

• Laundry baskets

• Towels

• Coasters

• Sheets

• Shelf organizers

• Clothes iron/steamer

• Tower fan(s)

• Wall art

• Cordless drill

• First aid kit

• Tool set

• Fire extinguisher

• Carbon monoxide detector

• Luggage

• Cleaning supplies kit

• Vacuum

• Mop

• Lamps

• Rugs

• Houseplants

• Flower of the Month subscription

If you’re already pretty established, you can set up a fund to supplement your honeymoon expenses, money to put toward a house, etc. However you choose to set up your wedding registry, try to set it up before or shortly after sending out your invites in order to give guests enough time to decide what they want to get you. This is also helpful for bridal showers and bachelorette parties.

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