Traditionally, a wedding registry would be filled with practical products to help a newlywed couple furnish their new home. But these days, most couples are already living together well and truly before tying the knot!
With this in mind, what kind of items should you include on a modern wedding registry that you’ll actually love and use?
If you’re currently looking for some non-traditional wedding registry inspiration, we’ve got you sorted. From smart home gadgets and kitchen appliances to gift vouchers and memberships, read on for the ultimate wedding registry checklist for modern couples below (including over 90+ ideas to inspire you!).
Wedding Registry Checklist: Home Essentials
Before we dive into the fun stuff, it’s worth thinking about any essential items you may still need for your home. These are the typical items you’d find on a traditional wedding registry such as cookware, decor, and linens.
If you’ve already been living together for a while, you’ll probably have the majority of these items sorted – but just in case, take a look through these wedding registry essentials below:
Cookware and Kitchen Accessories
- Saucepans
- Skillet
- Stir-fry pan/wok
- Casserole dish
- Dutch oven
- Knife set
- Knife block
- Grill pan/griddle
- Mortar and pestle
- Cooking utensil set
- Measuring cups/spoons
- Tea towels
- Cutting boards
- Baking pans/tins
Dining and Entertaining
- Glassware sets – wine, water, champagne, whiskey/scotch tumbler
- Crockery sets – entree/side/main plates, bowls
- Flatware sets – entree/main cutlery
- Decanter
- Serving bowls
- Serving boards
- Salt and pepper shakers
- Tea/coffee mugs
- Coasters
- Placemats
- Napkins
- Tablecloths
- Table runners
Homewares and Linens
- Sheet sets
- Duvet sets
- Pillow sets
- Bath towels
- Bath mat
- Throw blankets
- Area rug
- Photo frames
- Candles/candle holders
- Artwork
- Wall clock
- Mirror
Cleaning Products
- Vacuum
- Hand vacuum
- Iron
- Garment steamer
- Ironing board
- Mop
- Broom
Modern Wedding Registry Ideas
Okay – now let’s jump into some of the more “modern” items you may want to add to your list! From kitchen appliances to clever home gadgets, these are the products that will further enhance your home.
Don’t be afraid to think outside the box here – your wedding registry can include both physical products along with more abstract ideas like vouchers, memberships, and subscription boxes. Be inspired by these modern gift registry ideas below:
Kitchen Appliances
- Blender
- Food processor
- Coffee/espresso machine
- Coffee grinder
- Tea kettle
- Juicer
- Slow cooker
- Pressure cooker
- Air fryer
- Hand mixer
- Stand mixer
- Rice cooker
- Toaster
- Microwave
- Deep fryer
- Portable BBQ
- Bread maker
- Sandwich press
- Ice-cream maker
- Spiralizer
Home Gadgets:
- Google Home/Personal assistant
- Wireless speakers
- Smart light bulbs
- Smart showerhead
- Chromecast
- Digital doorbell
- Roomba/robotic vacuum cleaner
- Home security system
- Headphones
- Portable hard drive
- Digital photo frames
Miscellaneous:
- Luggage set
- Picnic set
- Gardening tools
- Tool kit
- Hobby kits (eg: herb garden, cupcake decorating, at-home brewing)
- Netflix (or other streaming service) membership
- Subscription boxes: Wine, meal delivery, fresh produce
- Gift vouchers: Restaurants, travel, experiences
- Essential oil diffuser
- “His and Her” bathrobes
- “His and Her” pajamas
- Pizza oven
- Firepit
- Board games
- Bar cart
- Adventure gear (eg: camping tent, accessories, backpacks)
- Cocktail shaker/kit
- Record turntable
- Polaroid camera
- Charity donation
- Honeymoon fund donation
Wedding Gift Registry Etiquette
Now that your registry items have been selected, it’s important to keep the correct etiquette in mind when communicating this to your guests. Remember, you should never explicitly request (or even expect!) gifts – but, your loved ones will undoubtedly ask you for ideas before the day.
Consider these do’s and don’ts when sharing your gift registry details with guests:
- Don’t include your registry information on your wedding invitations. Your wedding invitations should be reserved for essential information about the day (such as the date, time, and venue), and not for gift requests.
- Do share your gift registry information on your wedding website, instead! Your wedding website is the perfect place to include some additional details about your registry for guests who may be interested. This will also make it super easy for guests to access your registry in just the click of a button.
- Don’t put any expectations on your guests to purchase a gift from your registry. Remember, your registry is purely there to provide ideas and inspiration for your guests.
- Do share your registry details in a way that’s polite and appreciative. Make it clear that gifts are totally optional, and your loved ones joining you on the day is the greatest present of all.
For example:
“Celebrating with you on our special day is the only gift we require. However, for those who have expressed an interest, we’ve created an online registry here: (insert link)”
“Please know that your presence at our wedding is present enough! However, for friends and family who have been asking for gift ideas, you can view our online registry here: (link)”
Finally, don’t forget to send thank you cards after the wedding to show your gratitude! Be sure to personalise these notes with a thoughtful reference to the gift, and how you plan to use it. You can read our ultimate guide on what to write in a wedding thank you card here, including some wording examples to suit every situation.
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