Crafting Your Dream Registry: Creating, & Choosing the Ultimate Wedding Gifts
Celebrate your love, build your future, and elevate your wedding registry experience.
For those who may not know, a wedding registry is a list of desired gifts created by a couple getting married. Many retailers, both in-store and online, have this service available for couples to select specific items that they’d like to receive as engagement or wedding gifts. This list is publicly available online making it simple for people to select meaningful gifts that the couple truly wants and needs for their future together.
But when you set up your wedding registry, it’s important to keep a few things in mind. First things first, you may be wondering where you go to register? This weeks newsletter covers everything you need to know about creating your wedding registry. Not only do I give my most loved brands, items, and websites, but I also share with you my personal experience.
My Registry Experience
When I set up my wedding registry, I wanted to keep it simple for not only my guests but myself. I didn’t want to register at too many places that would make the website confusing and overwhelming for people to scroll through to select a gift that they feel suits them in their friendship. With that being said, I decided to only register at Bloomingdales and Amazon.
Bloomingdales has always been a go-to spot for me when it comes to decorating an apartment, purchasing gifts, or when I want to add some pieces into my wardrobe. Whether it be home goods, fashion or accessories, they have such beautiful pieces for couples to begin their life with one another.
Bloomingdales makes it so easy to register. You make an appointment online, they give you a scanner, and you roam around each floor with your fiancé scanning things that you like and could see using in your future. You may be thinking - I have no clue what I want in my future home yet! That’s totally okay - neither did I. Even if you scan something to be added onto your wedding registry, you are not obligated to keep any gift. Similar to any store that has a refund policy, you can refund your registry gifts at Bloomingdales if need be in exchange for a gift receipt that does not expire. You might also realize later on that you want to add on more items, and the beauty of Bloomingdales is that you can log into your wedding registry portal online and add more items at any time. My favorite perk is that they offer you 20% off for all in-store purchases leading up to your wedding date!
The second and last retailer I registered on was Amazon. As many of you reading this already know, Amazon is a place that ensures you’ll be able to find everything you need from kitchen essentials to electronics to home decor and more. Amazon’s universal registry feature also allows you to add items from other websites, providing unparalleled convenience. Similar to Bloomingdales, Amazon’s wedding registry perks are enticing including a 20% discount on any remaining registry items, extended returns, and free shipping for Prime members, making a practical and cost-effective option for both you and your guests. Pro tip: if you’re someone who isn’t sure if you want to keep all of the gifts on your registry, you are able to return them on Amazon and exchange it for a VISA gift card of the same amount.
Other Registry Recommendations
Here are some additional top options for registering and the benefits of each:
Zola: An online registry platform that allows you to add items from various brands and even includes a cash fund option. The cash fund option allows you to request contributions for specific experiences or a honeymoon fund, giving your guests the opportunity to contribute to unforgettable memories. If you choose to return something on your registry, you can exchange it for cash as well. The website also offers a group gifting feature, ensuring that pricier items become more accessible to your guests. Plus, Zola provides an excellent thank-you note manager, streamlining your post-wedding gratitude process.
Crate & Barrel: Perfect for modern and stylish home furnishings with a strong focus on design. Their selection includes a curated range of high-quality products from chic furniture and elegant tableware to innovative kitchen gadgets and stylish decor. One of the standout features of a Crate & Barrel registry is their exclusive collection of well-designed items, perfect for couples with a contemporary aesthetic. Additionally, they offer an easy-to-use registry app and website, providing guests with a seamless shopping experience. Their completion discount is another attractive perk, allowing you to purchase remaining items on your wedding registry for a reduced price after your wedding. With its focus on design, excellent customer service, and array of fashionable products, Crate & Barrel is an ideal choice for couples looking to elevate their home with timeless yet trendy pieces.
CB2: Crate & Barrel’s sister brand, is a fantastic option for couples seeking a more modern, minimalist, and affordable approach to their wedding registry. CB2 offers a contemporary and stylish selection of home decor and furnishings. The benefits of registering with CB2 include access to a wide range of unique and design-forward products that can help you create a sleek and chic living space together. They offer a user-friendly registry platform that allows you to easily curate your list and share it with guests. As with Crate & Barrel, CB2's completion discount is a valuable perk that allows you to purchase any remaining items at a special price after your wedding. If you and your partner have a penchant for modern aesthetics and contemporary design, CB2 is a prime choice for your wedding registry.
Bed Bath & Beyond: Offers an extensive range of home essentials and kitchenware, and they provide a completion discount. The completion discount allows you to purchase remaining registry items at a special price after your wedding. They also offer a user-friendly registry app for easy management and tracking of gifts. What’s particularly great about BB&B is its in-store experience, where you and your partner can visit a physical store to scan items and seek expert advice from knowledgeable staff.
Pottery Barn: Pottery Barn is an excellent choice for couples who appreciate classic and elegant home furnishings. Their wedding registry offers a wide selection of high-quality items, including fine china, luxurious linens, timeless furniture, and stylish decor. One of the standout features of a Pottery Barn registry is the enduring appeal of their products, making them a great option for couples who value long-lasting, timeless pieces. Additionally, Pottery Barn provides a convenient and user-friendly registry platform, making it easy for you to curate your list and for guests to make their selections. Their completion discount allows you to purchase any remaining items at a reduced price. If you and your partner have a preference for traditional, sophisticated, and well-crafted items, Pottery Barn is an ideal destination for creating your wedding registry.
Williams-Sonoma: Known to be an exceptional choice for couples who appreciate gourmet cooking, high-quality kitchenware, and culinary experiences. Their wedding registry offers an impressive range of top-notch kitchen appliances, cookware, and fine dining essentials. What sets Williams-Sonoma apart is its commitment to providing professional-grade tools for your home kitchen, making it a top choice for couples who love to cook and entertain. The benefits of registering with Williams-Sonoma include a completion discount, which allows you to purchase any remaining items at a special price post-wedding, and access to their vast collection of premium culinary and home goods. If you and your partner are passionate about food and fine dining, Williams-Sonoma is a perfect destination for creating a wedding registry that elevates your culinary journey together.
Importance of Multi-Price-Point Wedding Registry
A major tip to all brides and grooms who are registering for their wedding is to create a registry that has a diverse range of price points. The reason this is significant is because you want to ensure a pleasant and stress-free experience for your guests. By offering items at various price levels, couples not only cater to the financial diversity of their guests but also avoid duplicates. In a registry with only one price point, there's a risk of receiving multiple identical gifts, leaving guests and the couple in an awkward situation. However, when items with different price tags are available, guests can choose gifts that suit their budget and personal preferences, making the gift-giving experience more meaningful and considerate. This thoughtful approach not only saves guests from the dilemma of selecting the same gifts as others but also enables the couple to receive a well-rounded assortment of items that cater to their needs and tastes. In essence, a wedding registry with a range of price points ensures that the celebration is marked by thoughtful, diverse, and memorable presents while preventing any gift scarcity concerns.
Wedding Registry Gifts & Brands I Love
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Building Your Website
Not only is a wedding website fun to have, but it’s an amazing way to keep your guests informed and engaged throughout your engagement. Here’s everything you need to know when creating one:
Choose a Platform: Select a wedding website platform like The Knot or Zola that offers templates and easy customization.
Personalize Your Site: Add essential details like your love story, engagement photos, venue information, and travel accommodations for guests.
Share Your Registry: Include links to your wedding registry on your website to make it easy for guests to find. The beauty about wedding registries is that it’s simple. You can go on a search engine and type in a couple’s name and if they have a wedding registry set up, it’ll likely be one of the first links that pops up. You can confirm it by the photos, their story and wedding details that are published on their website.
Creating a wedding registry sounds a bit more intimidating than it actually is. The process is fun, and remember, nothing has to be permanent. If you change your mind at any point and decide you want to go for a different look in your future home, you can always hold off and exchange for a gift receipt for when you’re ready.
If you have any questions about creating your registry or just want advice, feel free to drop a comment below:
As always, I am constantly giving gift recommendations on my Instagram and TikTok, so be sure to follow along!
I hope with each week you become more educated and relieved by these newsletters learning how to navigate this space. I am always here to be a helping hand throughout your wedding journey, the same way I have this from others.
Xx,
Lexi