25+ Wedding Registry Ideas for Engaged Couples
Updated: Feb. 19, 2024
These wedding registry ideas are gifts you will love long after you say "I do."
The sheer amount of wedding registry ideas can be overwhelming. The rules for what “ought” to be on a registry have certainly changed over the years, so we’re recommending time-tested gifts that will give you years of frequent use. (Save the trends for the dessert table at your wedding reception!) The ideas here should appeal to a wide range of budgets, too. Psst! These are the classic dishes every newlywed couple should learn how to cook.
Electric Kettle
If you or your fiancé are tea lovers, take note. This handy appliance is easy to overlook when building your registry, but proves its worth for those who want to quickly heat a small amount of water. We love this stunning green kettle; it heats faster than both stove kettles and microwaves, making that cup of English Breakfast sound even more tempting.
Sheet Set
Take a classic, practical gift to the next level. This luxurious Brooklinen sheet bundle includes everything you need to build the bed of your dreams. (And with a 480 thread count, you can guarantee those dreams will be sweet).
Silicone Baking Mats
If your cookie baking attempts are falling flat, it’s probably not your recipe (though we have it on good authority these chocolate chip cookies are all delicious). The secret is in the surface you use—and you’ll find no better material for baking than silicone mats from Silpat. Register for at least two sizes for all of your baking needs.
Fire Pit
If you already have a lot of wedding registry basics, opt for a fun, outdoorsy pick like this Hampton Bay fire pit. Its spherical shape and unique tree branch pattern give this backyard accessory an updated look, while smart details, like a hinged door, improve function. Outdoor games are another fun option.
Oven-to-Table Serveware
In addition to the essential Pyrex glassware that belongs on any wedding registry, you’ll also want to add two or three high-quality serving pieces—bakeware that can go from oven to table. This set of two Staub baking dishes is oven safe up to 572° F. They’re perfect for cozying up to comfort food for dinner, like one of these creamy chicken casseroles.
Bath Towels
Even if you already have towels, trade up for a high-quality set—like this one from Boll & Branch. It includes two oversize bath sheets, hand towels and washcloths. Plus, everything matches! (Unlike the set you still have from college).
Kitchen Gadget Set
Celebrate your love (and your love for cooking!) with this all-inclusive gadget set from The Pioneer Woman. It features floral-hued peelers, tongs, measuring utensils and more. Plus, priced at just $40, it’s an incredible value, too!
Trivets
Once those steaming hot dishes hit the table, you’ll also want something stylish and functional to rest them on. Enter the mighty trivet, which has definitely evolved from the quilted fabric versions you likely grew up with. In sturdy cast iron, this decorative round trivet is a favorite of ours; rubber pegs underneath provide extra protection for your table.
Baking Sheets
Useful for everything from toasting nuts to roasting vegetables, metal baking sheets will quickly become one of your most-used kitchen items. Be sure to add a high-quality set to your registry, like these non-stick beauties from Taste of Home.
Cozy Comforter
After the stress of planning a wedding, give yourself a place to relax and unwind. This L.L. Bean down comforter is hypoallergenic and perfect for cooler climates. One reviewer likened it to “sleeping under a warm cloud.”
Wine Glasses
If you enjoy wine and/or plan to do a lot of hosting and entertaining, it makes good sense to register for two different sets of wine glasses. Fine crystal stemware sets typically include an iced beverage glass, a champagne flute, an oval shaped wine glass and a more rounded goblet. These are all great to have on hand, but you’ll also want at least one pair of Grand Cru glasses, made especially for red wines—we like this version from Riedel.
Dutch Oven
Regardless of who will be doing the cooking in your household, you want to equip the chef with a Dutch oven. Traditionally smaller than stockpots and available in round or oval shapes, this piece of cookware was designed for braising meats and preparing dishes that call for a long, slow simmer. We like this top-rated 6-quart Lodge Dutch Oven, perfect for making all sorts of Dutch oven dinners.
Vacuum Cleaner
While a vacuum cleaner may not sound like a glamorous gift, this Dyson V11 Animal cordless version is in a league of its own. (Here’s what one editor thinks of this model). Plus, unlike some registry items, you’ll use it weekly!
Serving Utensils
Save room on the registry for quality serving utensils, like this 3-piece set. Without tools designated for serving, you’ll end up reaching for prep utensils that aren’t there, because you already used them while cooking.
Serving Tray
You will find yourself reaching for this beautiful personalized serving tray all the time. Contrary to its associated use—who really has time for breakfast in bed anyway?—these trays are useful for an appetizer spread and functional for home decor. We love them for these addictive appetizer recipes.
Large Wooden Cutting Board
A large wooden cutting board is a wedding registry must. Even with careful chopping precision, this type of food prep—which you’ll likely do almost daily—often results in veggies, cheeses or errant pieces of garlic landing well outside the intended cutting area. Register for one with generous proportions, like this large John Boos board, so long as you have room to store it. Learn how to clean your wood-cutting board.
Cast-Iron Skillet
You can seriously elevate your kitchen fare with a high-quality cast-iron skillet. It’s naturally non-stick and the ideal vessel for some knock-your-socks-off recipes (like our best-ever cast-iron dishes). This piece of cookware only improves with every use. This 12-inch skillet from Lodge would make a great starter piece in your growing cookware collection.
Home Decor
If you’re just starting a collection of home decor, you can’t go wrong with Decocrated. This fun subscription box ships a seasonal package of goodies directly to your door four times per year. Common items include wall art, pillow covers, tabletop decor and more. Check out our full review of the subscription.
Extra Place Settings
Remember this number: 12. It’s the magic number of place settings to add to your registry, in both everyday and fine china. You may not be called upon to host Thanksgiving dinner right away, but you will have friends over—and paper plates are for midnight pizza in the college dorm. Three sets of this 16-piece dinnerware set from Kate Spade New York and you’re good to go!
Bluetooth Speaker
From outdoor parties to days on the lake, you’ll appreciate having this handy bluetooth speaker. It wirelessly connects to your smartphone and keeps the tunes rolling for up to 20 hours. Add it to your registry in white—or any of the other fun colors.
Batter Bowl
Between Saturday morning pancake sessions and late-night brownie cravings, this batter bowl from The Pioneer Woman will get a lot of use. We love that it has a generous 3.8-quart capacity and that it’s dishwasher- and microwave-safe.
Smart Thermostat
“Alexa, turn up the heat!” This smart Nest thermostat makes it easy to keep your home at a comfortable temperature—and save on heating costs. Plus, installation takes 30 minutes or less!
Instant Thermometer
You could just eyeball that cut of meat to see if it’s cooked through. Or you could serve it with certainty, thanks to the instant-read thermometer you so wisely added to your registry. This Thermapen thermometer provides digital temperature readings, taking the guesswork out of your grill mastery. Yes, you do need an instant-read thermometer. Here’s why.
Salt and Pepper Mills
Once you’ve tried freshly ground pepper, that powdery, granular stuff will pale in comparison. Ditto for freshly ground sea salt. This stainless steel set will give you the perfect grind, with built-in compartments to hold the peppercorns and salts of your choosing, from traditional black to Himalayan pink.
Personalized Pillow
Commemorate your big day with this customizable couples pillow. We love the simple, sleek design and the 13×19-inch size that’s ideal for sofas or armchairs.
Mesh Strainer
For the times when your recipe calls for freshly squeezed lemon juice—and not the seeds that always make it into the mixing bowl. Mesh strainers are also helpful for everything from steaming vegetables to poaching eggs (Learn how to get perfectly poached eggs every time). While many are sold in sets, one high-quality strainer is really all you need. This 9-inch mesh strainer is an ideal size, and also happens to be perfect for rinsing quinoa.
A Bed for Fido
Pet parents, go ahead and add some registry gifts for Fido, too! This furry dog bed is a cozy way to pamper your pup. Choose from a variety of sizes—from small to extra-large—and a handful of fun colors.
Originally Published: January 13, 2022
