There are many exciting moments in the wedding planning process — the delicious cake tasting, picking out the best dance tunes, finding the perfect thing to wear on your big day. Another of the most enjoyable tasks that awaits you is creating your wedding registry.
This is your opportunity to curate a wish list that reflects your unique style, interests, and aspirations as a couple. A thorough registry makes it easy for your friends and family to find a gift you and your partner need and want.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the art of crafting the perfect collection of items using our wedding registry checklist. You’ll discover how to strike the ideal balance between must-have essentials and occasional extravagance. And, if you have a Joy wedding registry, you can access the interactive wedding checklist tool to make the process even easier!
Kitchen Ideas
Many kitchen items are go-to wedding gifts for newlyweds because they offer a wide variety of price options for a gift-giver’s budget. Here are some popular picks for outfitting your cooking space.
| Category: | Items to include: |
| Appliances | Air fryer |
| Blender | |
| Food processor | |
| Immersion blender | |
| Juicer | |
| Microwave | |
| Rice Cooker | |
| Slow cooker | |
| Stand mixer | |
| Toaster oven | |
| Waffle maker | |
| Baking needs | Baking dishes |
| Baking tools (rolling pin, pastry cutter, etc.) | |
| Cake pans | |
| Cooling racks | |
| Measuring cups and spoons | |
| Muffin pans | |
| Sheet pans | |
| Kitchen tools | Can opener |
| Colanders | |
| Cooking utensils (whisk, spatula, tongs, etc.) | |
| Graters & peelers | |
| Ice cream scoop | |
| Kitchen scissors | |
| Mixing bowls | |
| Oven mitts | |
| Salad spinner | |
| Seasoning & oil dispensers | |
| Trivets | |
| Slicing and dicing | Cutting boards |
| Knives (bread knife, santoku, etc.) | |
| Knife sharpening tools | |
| Mandoline | |
| Steak knives | |
| Coffee and tea | Coffee grinder |
| Coffee maker | |
| Espresso machine | |
| French press | |
| Kettle & teapot | |
| Milk frother | |
| Mugs & teacups | |
| On the stove | Cookware set |
| Griddle | |
| Grill pan | |
| Sauce & saute pans | |
| Skillets | |
| Stock pot | |
| Wok | |
| In the oven | Dutch oven |
| Pizza stone | |
| Roasting pans | |
| Kitchen extras | Aprons |
| Cookbooks | |
| Dish rack & sinkware | |
| Kitchen towels |
Entertaining Time
From flatware and dinnerware for enjoying those mouthwatering meals to barware that will help you host friends and family, these items will set you up for every occasion.
| Category: | Items to include: |
| Fine dining | Appetizer, salad, and dessert plates |
| Bowls | |
| Cake & dessert stands | |
| Dinner plates | |
| Drinking glasses | |
| Flatware | |
| Gravy boat | |
| Napkins & accessories | |
| Pitchers & carafes | |
| Salad bowl with serving tongs | |
| Serving accessories | |
| Serving bowls | |
| Serving platters & trays | |
| Serving utensils (spoons, spatulas, etc.) | |
| Sugar bowl | |
| Table linens (tablecloths, runners, etc.) | |
| Cocktail hour | Bar accessories (cocktail shaker, muddler, etc.) |
| Bar cart | |
| Cocktail glasses (highball, martini, etc.) | |
| Drinkware sets | |
| Ice buckets & chillers | |
| Wine aficionados | Champagne flutes |
| Decanters | |
| Wine accessories (wine opener, aerator, etc.) | |
| Wine glasses | |
| Beer lovers | At-home beer brewing kit |
| Beer glasses | |
| Party time | Board games |
| Chess set | |
| Movie projector | |
| Poker set and playing cards |
Home Interiors
Don’t overlook other living areas that will help make your newlywed house a home. Whether you want to make your bedroom feel cozy with fresh new linens, create a spa-like environment in your bathroom, or decorate your walls with meaningful artwork, there are plenty of items to round out your registry.
| Category | Items to include |
| Bathroom Essentials | Bath Accessories (Robes, Slippers, etc.) |
| Bathroom Storage (Toothbrush Holder, Makeup Holder, etc.) | |
| Bath Towels & Rugs | |
| Bedroom Comfort | Bedroom Furniture |
| Bed Skirts | |
| Blankets | |
| Books and Bookends | |
| Comforter | |
| Quilts | |
| Pillows & Mattress | |
| Mattress Pad | |
| Home Decor | Botanicals & Vases |
| Candles & Aromatherapy | |
| Candlesticks | |
| Clocks | |
| Decorative Accents (Small Art Pieces, Collectibles, etc.) | |
| Wall Decor (Picture Frames, Wall Art, etc.) | |
| Home Organization | Entryway Table |
| Kitchen Organization | |
| Shelving Units | |
| Clean Home | Cleaning Tools (Brooms, Mops, etc.) |
| Laundry Basket & Hampers | |
| Trash Cans & Recycling Bins | |
| Living and Dining Room | Dining Room Furniture |
| Living Room Furniture | |
| Lamps | |
| Rugs | |
| Window Decor (Drapery, Stained Glass, etc.) |
Outdoor Living
Whether it’s a backyard oasis, a rustic cabin in the mountains, or some other spot filled with fresh air and clear skies, outdoor adventures are a way of life for most people. Amp up the fun with any of these helpful items on your registry.
| Category: | Items to include: |
| Health and wellness | Exercise equipment (weights, treadmill, etc.) |
| Hydration supplies | |
| Yoga mats and accessories | |
| Fun times in fresh air | Backyard games |
| Beach and picnic gear | |
| Gardening tools and accessories | |
| Hiking and camping equipment | |
| Sports equipment (skis, paddleboard, etc.) | |
| Outdoor decor | Doormats |
| Fire pits | |
| Heat lamps | |
| Outdoor patio furniture | |
| Outdoor rug | |
| Portable speaker |
Fun Extras
You can also think beyond the home. Your wedding registry is a great way to upgrade your travel adventures, ask for gifts for your beloved pet, or make life more entertaining through experiences.
| Category: | Items to include: |
| Travel-related | Airline gift cards |
| Backpacks | |
| Carry-on luggage | |
| Checked luggage | |
| Garment bags | |
| Toiletry kits | |
| Travel accessories (luggage scale, electronic adapters, etc.) | |
| Extra comfort | Massage tools |
| Portable heaters and fans | |
| Purifiers and humidifiers | |
| Smart home equipment (Nest thermostat, Ring video doorbell, etc.) | |
| Happy experiences | Charitable donations |
| Gift cards | |
| Meal subscription plans | |
| Pet gear (beds, leashes, etc.) | |
| Pet monitoring video camera |
How to Set Up a Wedding Registry
Setting up a Joy wedding registry is super easy to do. The Joy Shop consists of almost 300 of your favorite brands with over 20,000 products, experiences, and cash funds for you to choose from. You make selections from the Joy Shop just like you would at any other retailer.
Joy’s All-In-One Registry also allows syncing and transferring of external registries so you can track all of them in one convenient place. And, by installing Joy’s easy one-click “add to registry” browser button, you will be able to add any item you find online to your registry.
As a bonus, you also have the option to set up cash funds for honeymoon experiences, accept donations for your favorite charities, or request gift cards for major retailers like Lowe’s, Airbnb, and Southwest Airlines.
Your wedding registry, your way
From gifts, to cash funds, experiences or charitable causes, add any gift you want, from any online retailer, to your Joy registry.
Etiquette: Do’s and Don’ts
There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to your wedding registry. The most important thing to remember is that what’s right for one couple may not work for another. These simple do’s and don’ts will help you stay on the right track as you create your wedding registry.
Do create a registry
By creating a registry, you can help eliminate uncertainty and relieve gift-giving stress. Even if you’d appreciate any gift you receive for your big day, some guests find it hard to choose the perfect thing. A Joy registry keeps it simple, with the ability to add gift items, charity donations, or a honeymoon fund all in one place.
Don’t wait until the last minute
Setting up your registry early makes it easier for guests to find a gift you’ll love. If you start soon after your engagement, it allows early birds to shop when it’s most convenient for them and allows you to add new items in the months leading up to your wedding day.
Do give guests a range to choose from
When selecting registry items, be mindful that your guests may all be working with different budgets. Include some options at different price points. Guests may opt to split the cost of higher priced items through Joy’s Group Gifting feature, while others may prefer to gift you with a specific dollar amount through a Cash Fund.
Don’t be afraid to add more expensive gifts
The average cash value of a wedding gift is around $99, but not every gift needs to be at or below this price point. If there’s a product or experience that you’d love to receive, don’t be afraid to add it to your list. With a Joy wedding registry, your guests can benefit from the Group Gifting feature which allows multiple guests to contribute towards one higher ticket item. Or someone among your family and friends may simply be feeling extra generous.
Do expect the unexpected
Keep in mind that some guests will choose to find their own gifts that are wildly different from what you had envisioned and requested via your registry. Remember, it’s the thought that counts — enjoy the surprise!
Don’t forget to share your registry
Once you’ve created your wedding registry, share it with your guests. Many couples include a reference or link to their registry with their save-the-date cards or wedding invitations. After the invitations go out, your wedding website becomes the go-to place guests look to for registry information. If you create a Joy registry, a wedding website template is automatically set up with a link to all your items.
As you go through this wedding registry checklist, remember to enjoy the process! Have fun selecting items that resonate with you and your partner, and cherish the moments you’ll create with each and every gift.
Wedding Registry FAQ
Crafting a wedding registry can be intimidating for some. These are some additional questions that often come up when couples start the process.
The number of items on your wedding registry depends on your preferences and needs, but a good rule of thumb is to double the total number of people on your guest list for a rough quantity of gifts to add. You can start with a core list of essentials and then add more to get twice as many items as you have planned guests. This will provide a range of items and price point options your guests can choose from to find the perfect gift.
Yes, you can have more than one wedding registry! It’s becoming increasingly common for couples to have multiple registries. This allows you to include various items from different retailers to suit your preferences and the budget needs of your guests.
You can absolutely register for money or cash funds on your wedding registry. Many couples today opt for cash funds for various purposes like a honeymoon fund, home renovation, or saving for the future. It gives your guests the flexibility to contribute to experiences or goals that are important to you and your partner.
