Key Takeaways
- Create registries at multiple retailers to give your guests options for where to shop.
- Aim to include twice as many gifts as you have guests, and include a wide range of price points.
- Register for items you truly need, including homeware and gear for hobbies you enjoy as a couple.
So much of wedding planning involves spending money, which is why it can be refreshing to get to the part of the process that involves creating a registry. A registry is a shoppable wishlist of gifts for newlyweds (that’s you, soon!) that wedding guests can give before, on, or up to a year after your wedding day.
Creating a registry can be one of the most fun things on your long to-do list. Here’s everything you need to know to make a wedding registry that will set you up for married life.
Choosing Where to Register
Before you get to the fun part of adding gifts to your wishlist, you’ll need to choose where to register. Depending on the platform you used to build your wedding website, you may be able to leverage their built-in registry shop or link out to registries you create directly with retailers.
Minted’s wedding websites are built with the latter option in mind, and you can use our registry feature to link out to registries at as many top retailers as you’d like. We recommend creating a few registries to give your guests options to purchase from.
Best Wedding Registries
Most big retailers will have a dedicated registry tool on their website that you can use to add, organize, and keep track of your wishlist. Here, we’ve included a few of our favorites.
- Amazon. Best for basic items and household essentials.
- Target. Best for budget-friendly home decor and essentials.
- Williams Sonoma. Best for high-quality kitchen tools and hosting supplies.
- Pottery Barn. Best for timeless home decor and quality linens.
- Crate & Barrel. Best for modern home decor and accessories.
- CB2. Best for small space solutions and contemporary design.
- Anthropologie. Best for quirky, design-forward home decor, hosting supplies, and accessories.
- Etsy. Best for hand-made home decor and personalized keepsakes.
How to Make Your Registry
Once you’ve chosen your retailers and created your accounts, it’s time to start building your registry! But before you start adding anything and everything that catches your eye, keep these tips in mind to ensure you prioritize what you really need—and make it easy for guests to find a gift they’re comfortable purchasing.
1. Take Stock
Remember, wedding gifts don’t have to be all fancy plates and beautiful vases. (In fact, if you don’t think you’ll ever use either of those things, you don’t have to include them on your registry.) Need new camping gear? Add it! What about a dog bed? Go ahead! Put your head together with your soon-to-be spouse to come up with a list of items you’ll need as you head into this new chapter.
2. Include Multiple Price Points
As you brainstorm what you’d like to register for, aim to include a mix of items at different price points so guests can spend an amount that they’re comfortable with. Make sure there are plenty of affordable items in the mix, but don’t be afraid to include big-ticket items, which allow groups to go in on a gift together.
Photo by Tosh Muniz Losos
3. Over Register
It’s always safer to include more gifts on your registry than not enough. One rule of thumb is to multiply your guest list by two, then add at least that many items to your registry.
4. Add Cash Registry Options
If you really don’t need a ton of new things to set you and your partner up for married life, consider setting up a few cash registries. Minted’s Cash Registry tool allows you to designate what you’ll use the money for—think honeymoon fund, purchasing your first home, or donating to charity—so your guests can choose how they’d like to contribute to your journey.
5. Make Your Registry Easy to Find
Once you’ve added a solid amount of gifts to your registry, you can begin sharing it with your guests. We don’t recommend including a direct link to your registry on your save the dates or wedding invitations, but be sure that it is easy to find on your wedding website.
What to Put on Your Wedding Registry
What you choose to put on your wedding registry should be a reflection of your taste as a couple and your lifestyle. Here are some of the most popular items couples include, but remember, as long as you’ll both use it, it’s fair game to put on your registry!
Kitchen Appliances & Cookware
- Stand mixers
- Blenders
- Toasters
- Coffee makers
- Food processors
- Slow cookers/pressure cookers
- Air fryers
- Waffle makers
- Pots and pans
- Dutch ovens
- Knives
- Cutting boards
- Mixing bowls
- Ingredient organizers
- Food storage containers
- Cocktail shakers & supplies
Dinnerware
- Plates
- Bowls
- Drinking glasses
- Mugs
- Wine glasses & speciality cocktail glasses
- Flatware
- Serving platters & bowls
- Salad bowls
- Cake stands
Linens
- Bath towels
- Hand towels
- Dish towels
- Sheets
- Pillows
- Tablecloths & runners
- Place mats
- Duvets & comforters
- Blankets
Home Decor
- Vases
- Lamps
- Area rugs
- Bookends
- Framed art
- Photo art
- Area rugs
- Throw pillows
- Planters
- Furniture (dining tables, chairs, coffee tables, ottomans, etc.)
- Candles & candlesticks
Photo by Sarah Tribbet Photography
Outdoor Items
- Grills & smokers
- Patio furniture
- Tents
- Coolers
- Beach towels
- Pool supplies
- Lawn games
- Fire pit
- Heat lamps
- Umbrellas
Home Improvement
- Power tools
- Gardening supplies
- Ladders
- Vacuums
- Air purifiers
- Organization & storage solutions
Miscellaneous
- Suitcases
- Packing cubes
- Passport holders
- Sports gear (paddleboards, kayaks, bikes, etc.)
- Personalized stationery
- Cameras
- At-home workout equipment (free weights, yoga mats, etc.)
- Tote bags
- Pet gear
Wedding Registry FAQs
Is There Anything I Shouldn’t Put on My Wedding Registry?
Don’t add anything that will be used by just one of you—think personal items like clothing, jewelry, and cell phones—or recurring memberships and subscriptions.
How Expensive Should the Items on My Wedding Registry Be?
Gifts that fall within $25-$200 are an ideal range. The most important thing is to ensure there are options for guests who want to spend less than $50, $100, and $200. You can include a few big-ticket items if you’d like — and, if possible, you can set up your registry to allow for multiple people to contribute towards a higher-priced gift.
How Far in Advance Should I Make My Wedding Registry?
You can make your registry as soon as you start planning your wedding. You’ll want to have your registry started by the time you send out your save the dates, and it should be completed by the time the wedding invitations go out. Remember, you can always add items as you go!
Your Perfect Wedding Registry
Creating your wedding registry should be one of the easiest (and most fun!) parts of the wedding planning process. With these tips, tricks, and ideas in mind, you should be able to build a wedding registry that reflects your unique personality as a couple, sets you up for married life, and is a joy for your guests to shop from.
