How many different wedding registries should you create?

Most couples have between one and three wedding registries. A versatile super-site like Zola allows couples to register for material goods and cash all in one place and is always a good place to start. From there, a couple might also register at a department store (Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s), a big box store (Target, Bed Bath & Beyond), or other national chains (West Elm, The Container Store). In general, it's important to at least one registry tied to a physical store—not all guests will feel comfortable shopping online, so there should be an opportunity for them to visit a traditional brick and mortar.

How should you share your wedding registry information with loved ones?

“Integrate your wedding registry into your wedding website , and share the link to your website on all formal communication about your wedding, such as save-the-dates and wedding invitation [suites],” says Skurnik. “There is no need to share the link to your registry specifically.” In fact, it's considered poor etiquette to include registry information and/or directly ask for money or gifts on your wedding invitations. When it comes to blasting out your registry on social media, different cultures have different takes. Some feel fine sharing at large, especially if it is customary in their community to celebrate marriages even when they won’t be attending the wedding, while others feel it’s inappropriate to share if not all followers will be invited to the wedding events . Go with your gut on this one, or take a cue from what close friends or family with similar guest lists have done in the past.

Is it okay to ask for money instead of physical gifts?

“It is completely acceptable to register for cash ,” says Skurnik, who recommends creating specific cash funds so guests can get excited about contributing to something tangible. Many couples use this opportunity to cover honeymoon expenses —hence the rise in popularity of the honeymoon registry —but there’s no need to feel limited to that. “Create a fund for round-trip airline tickets, theater tickets for two, or a just-married dinner at a fave local restaurant,” suggests Skurnick. “My husband and I registered for a cash fund to frame our ketubah .”

How much should the gifts on your wedding registry cost?

“The value of a gift is not tied to the price tag, and it’s important to give guests options they feel comfortable with,” says Skurnik. Each guest will approach your registry with a different price point in mind. Guests that want to spend more will often bundle items together to reach that goal, so it’s good to include a mix of items $50 and under, between $50 and $100, and over $100. Don’t feel self-conscious about registering for a few big ticket items, either. “Loved ones often like to join in on gifts together, and you never know who might want to spring for something extra nice,” says Skurnik.

Is it okay to keep adding to your wedding registry?

“Absolutely!” says Skurnik. “Your registry is an evolution. The best way to get started is to take an inventory of your home—think about what’s missing, what needs an upgrade. As wedding planning continues, it's natural to think of more ideas and to continue to add as gifts are purchased. Nobody is going to think there are too many gifts, but they might feel disappointed if all of the gifts are purchased.”

Is there anything that would be inappropriate to register for?

“I really believe that anything is on the table,” says Skurnik. “The rule of thumb is to make sure a registry is balanced between partners, so if one partner wants to register for the Dyson Supersonic hairdryer, the other partner might want to add a super-plush bathrobe or some cookbooks . Partners don't have to have the same taste or hobbies to be married; they just have to create a comfy home .”

The Ultimate Wedding Registry Checklist

Stack of White Gifts Tied with Pink Ribbon — Getty Images / VPanteon

Though wedding dress shopping, cake tasting, and selecting your big-day stationery are thrills in their own right, many couples find that creating their registries brings a new level of enjoyment to the entire planning process. What’s not to love about creating a shoppable wish list, especially one that will help you and your partner begin married life on the right foot?

A wedding registry is a curated list of presents an engaged couple creates to make the big-day gifting experience easier and more guided for their guests. Generally, these lists will be tied to both in-store and virtual retailers and should include a mix of gifts at different price points; both of these factors allow a couple's loved ones to shop however makes most sense for them. To help ensure you cover the must-haves, fun-to-haves, and everything between, we consulted registry expert Emily Forrest Skurnik and built a comprehensive checklist you can use as you create your wishlist.

Meet the Expert

Emily Forrest Skurnik is the director of communications at Zola, a one-stop site for wedding registries offering gifts from over 1,000 brands.

Read on for our ultimate wedding registry checklist and answers to your most burning gifting questions.

Wedding Registry Checklist by Category

Ready to start building out your wedding registry? Here’s a helpful category-by-category breakdown of items you should consider adding to your list. Of course, don't feel compelled to add everything here to your registry if you don't need them. If you and your partner have been living together for years, for example, you may already have have a nice collection of housewares. In that case, use your registry as an opportunity to upgrade anything that needs replacing or to fill gaps in your home. Similarly, if there's something you two have your eyes on that's not included here, there's no reason to leave it off your registry!

Wedding Registry Kitchen Essentials Illustration — Design by Kaitlyn Collins

Kitchen Registry Ideas

Cookware (nonstick skillet, sauté pan, pasta pot, saucepan, etc.)
Bakeware (roasting pan, casserole dish, baking sheets, loaf pans, muffin tins, etc.)
Knives (serrated knife, paring knife, chef’s knife, etc.)
Cutting boards
Dutch oven
Cast iron skillet
Stand mixer
Food processor
Hand juicer
Measuring cups
Mixing bowls
Wooden spoons
Whisk
Rubber spatulas
Salad spinner
Microplane
Meat thermometer
Meat tenderizer
Oven mitts
Salt and pepper mills
Colander
Pasta maker

Rice cooker
Pizza stone
Immersion blender
Cookbooks
Toaster oven
Specialty appliances such as Instant Pots and air-fryers
Combo coffee and espresso machines
An electric kettle
A high-powered blender
Mandolin
Carbonated water maker (SodaStream, Aarke Carbonator)
Juicer
Grill pan
Barware (muddler, cocktail shaker, jigger, bar spoon, Hawthorne strainer, specialty ice trays, ice-makers, etc.)
Toaster oven
Motion-sensor garbage bin (Simplehuman, ZitA)
Compost bin
Air fryer or another specialty homebody essential

Wedding Registry Dining and Entertaining Essentials Illustration — Design by Kaitlyn Collins

Dining and Entertaining Registry Ideas

Everyday dishware (eight to 12 settings—dinner plates, dessert and/or salad plates, bowls)
Everyday drinking glasses (eight to 12)
Mugs (eight to 12)
Flatware (eight to 12 settings)
Steak knives (eight to 12)
Wine glasses (red and white)
Champagne flutes
Salad bowl and serving utensils
Serving bowls, platters, and trays
Additional serveware
Coffee creamer and sugar holders
Butter dish
Gravy boat
Pitchers (for coffee or water)
Teapot
Cheese and charcuterie boards
Cheese knives

Specialty glassware (margarita glasses, martini glasses, rocks glasses)
Colored stemware (like Estelle Colored Glass)
Bar cart
Cake stand
Wine decanter
Decorative trivets
High-quality game sets (chess, mahjong) and playing cards

Wedding Registry Linen Essentials Illustration — Design by Kaitlyn Collins

Linen Registry Ideas

Two everyday sheet sets
Flannel/cold-weather sheets
Down comforter
Duvet cover
Sleeping pillows
Mattress topper
Four bath towel sets (body towel, hand towel, washcloth)
Additional hand towels and washcloths
Bath mats
Robes
Placemats (eight to 12)
Linen napkins (eight to 12)
Clothing hampers
Clothes drying rack
Mattress upgrade
Silk pillowcases and sleeping masks
Makeup removal towels (Weezie)
Reusable alternatives to cotton rounds
Fast-drying hair towels

Wedding Registry Home and Decor Essentials Illustration — Design by Kaitlyn Collins

Home and Décor Registry Ideas

Bookends
Picture frames
Throw blankets
Grilling gear
Candles and candlesticks
Flower vases
Storage and organizing essentials (baskets, bins, makeup holders, etc.)
Gift cards to home improvement stores such as Lowe’s or Home Depot
Patio furniture
Firepits and patio heat lamps
Indoor plants and pots
Cash funds towards original artwork
Gift cards for custom framing services (Framebridge, Artifact Uprising)
Home office essentials (desk accessories, task lamps, computer monitor)

Wedding Registry Miscellaneous Ideas Illustration — Design by Kaitlyn Collins

More Wedding Registry Ideas

Personalized stationery
Luggage
Camping equipment (tents, sleeping bags, camp chairs, etc.)
Sporting equipment (paddleboards, kayaks, skis, etc.)
Airbnb gift cards
Gift cards for online home decorating services (Havenly, Homepolish)
At-home workout equipment (Peloton, The Mirror, etc.)
Meal service subscriptions (Hello Fresh, Daily Harvest, etc.)
News and magazine subscriptions
Pet gear
Yoga mats
Grocery store and farmers market totes
Eco-friendly cleaning subscription (Blueland)
Portable coffee mugs and insulated tumblers
Bath caddy

FAQ

How many different wedding registries should you create?

Most couples have between one and three wedding registries. A versatile super-site like Zola allows couples to register for material goods and cash all in one place and is always a good place to start. From there, a couple might also register at a department store (Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s), a big box store (Target, Bed Bath & Beyond), or other national chains (West Elm, The Container Store). In general, it's important to at least one registry tied to a physical store—not all guests will feel comfortable shopping online, so there should be an opportunity for them to visit a traditional brick and mortar.
How should you share your wedding registry information with loved ones?

“Integrate your wedding registry into your wedding website, and share the link to your website on all formal communication about your wedding, such as save-the-dates and wedding invitation [suites],” says Skurnik. “There is no need to share the link to your registry specifically.” In fact, it's considered poor etiquette to include registry information and/or directly ask for money or gifts on your wedding invitations.

When it comes to blasting out your registry on social media, different cultures have different takes. Some feel fine sharing at large, especially if it is customary in their community to celebrate marriages even when they won’t be attending the wedding, while others feel it’s inappropriate to share if not all followers will be invited to the wedding events. Go with your gut on this one, or take a cue from what close friends or family with similar guest lists have done in the past.
Is it okay to ask for money instead of physical gifts?

“It is completely acceptable to register for cash,” says Skurnik, who recommends creating specific cash funds so guests can get excited about contributing to something tangible. Many couples use this opportunity to cover honeymoon expenses—hence the rise in popularity of the honeymoon registry—but there’s no need to feel limited to that.

“Create a fund for round-trip airline tickets, theater tickets for two, or a just-married dinner at a fave local restaurant,” suggests Skurnick. “My husband and I registered for a cash fund to frame our ketubah.”
How much should the gifts on your wedding registry cost?

“The value of a gift is not tied to the price tag, and it’s important to give guests options they feel comfortable with,” says Skurnik. Each guest will approach your registry with a different price point in mind. Guests that want to spend more will often bundle items together to reach that goal, so it’s good to include a mix of items $50 and under, between $50 and $100, and over $100.

Don’t feel self-conscious about registering for a few big ticket items, either. “Loved ones often like to join in on gifts together, and you never know who might want to spring for something extra nice,” says Skurnik.
Is it okay to keep adding to your wedding registry?

“Absolutely!” says Skurnik. “Your registry is an evolution. The best way to get started is to take an inventory of your home—think about what’s missing, what needs an upgrade. As wedding planning continues, it's natural to think of more ideas and to continue to add as gifts are purchased. Nobody is going to think there are too many gifts, but they might feel disappointed if all of the gifts are purchased.”
Is there anything that would be inappropriate to register for?

“I really believe that anything is on the table,” says Skurnik. “The rule of thumb is to make sure a registry is balanced between partners, so if one partner wants to register for the Dyson Supersonic hairdryer, the other partner might want to add a super-plush bathrobe or some cookbooks. Partners don't have to have the same taste or hobbies to be married; they just have to create a comfy home.”

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