Essentials to Put on Your Wedding Registry

While some couples find the process of putting together a wedding registry one of the most enjoyable parts of wedding planning (picking out stuff!), some couples feel overwhelmed by the number of choices they must make. You want a unique wedding registry but you also want those must-have wedding registry items.

Where do you even start when it comes to choosing the items that will surround you throughout your years as a married couple? Luckily, Zola has not only made the registry process easy and simple for every type of couple—those just starting out in life, and those who have more established homes—but we know exactly what kinds of gifts, and how many of each, you should put on your registry. Use this guide as a wedding registry checklist to direct your wedding guests to the household items you really want as you step into your lives as newlyweds.

What to Put on Your Wedding Registry: The Basics

Registries are evolving with the times, and today’s modern couple needs different things from their wedding registry than previous generations. At Zola, we find that most couples like to build registries that combine the following mixture:

• Physical gifts, like a KitchenAid stand mixer or a set of china, for those who like to give more traditional wedding gifts.
• Experiences, like a cooking class or an Airbnb gift card, for those want to give gifts to support your lifestyle and newlywed adventures.
• Cash funds to use on your honeymoon or for a big investment like a home renovation, for those who want to contribute to your long-term future.

When it comes to the physical gifts that you should put on your registry, think about the different rooms in your home. You could probably use (or upgrade) items for your kitchen, your dining area, your living room, and your bed and bathroom. Straight from our team of experts, we’ve put together a checklist of list registry essentials below that will cover allllll of your needs and help you build the newlywed home of your dreams. For an up-to-date list of our top picks, check out our article on Wedding Registry Ideas which lists our favorite specific registry items by room and price.

Want to start shopping for your registry right now? Shop our essential picks for your registry:

Expert Wedding Registry Tips

No one has more knowledge about what you should put on your registry than Zola’s registry experts. To help you make the best choices, here are some pointers on three popular registry categories—cookware, dinnerware, and knives—that will help explain the different terminology and options you’ll encounter when deciding which products to add to your registry.

Cookware:

Cookware Material: The decision between cookware materials is largely up to you and your preference for how your pots and pans look and perform. Zola carries a range of materials, from fashionable copper to stainless steel to hard anodized aluminum, which resists the metal's natural oxidation to provide a non-stick and scratch-resistant surface. While the professionals prefer stainless steel for its durability, ceramic is also a popular option because it is naturally non-stick, requires a lower heat, and heats up faster.

Pro Tip: If you choose ceramic, remember to use wood utensils to avoid scratching the ceramic finish. Copper cookware will turn dark after any use, but you can clean it regularly with materials you already have at home: vinegar, salt, and/or lemon juice.

Ply: The word “ply” refers to the number of layers of metal that make up the cookware. Tri-ply (or 3-ply) is usually a combination of stainless steel, aluminum, and sometimes copper to yield a quick and even heat distribution and conductivity. Most people prefer 3-ply or 5-ply cookware.

Cookware Sets: Cookware sets are groups of matching pots and pans that are sold together in one convenient bundle of essentials. They’re a great way to either get started or to upgrade all your cookware at once. Many brands offer nested sets, which make purchasing an all-inclusive set more space-efficient. Add in additional specialty items, like a wok or a paella pan, on top of your cookware set.

Accessories: Don't forget to register for cooking utensils and oven mitts. Zola also carries all types of baking pans and tins for your dessert needs.

Dinnerware:

Dinnerware Material: Depending on your preference and affinity for dinner parties, Zola offers a range of dinnerware materials. Stoneware is great for everyday use. Porcelain and bone china are thinner and more delicate, but the material itself is stronger than stoneware, making porcelain and china durable enough to last for many generations.

Place Setting Sets: We recommend buying 4- or 5-piece dinnerware sets that include an entire place setting for one person (such as a dinner plate, salad plate, bowl, and mug), so you can purchase all the coordinating essentials with one click. For value-oriented couples, look for expanded sets of 16-pieces, which include full place settings for four people. We recommend that you register for 12-16 place settings.

Formal vs. Casual: Traditionally, couples used to register for both fancy china as well as casual, everyday plates. This decision is totally up to you and your style of entertaining. Currently, many couples register for a set of everyday dinnerware that’s somewhere in between and then purchase additional dishes, like elegant salad plates, that can be mixed and matched to dress up the table for special occasions.

Accessories: Once you have chosen your dinnerware, don't forget to add coordinating flatware, drinkware, table linens, and serveware to your registry.

Knives:

Urban Legends: Don't believe the superstition! It's an old wives' tale that gifting knives is bad luck, but knives are actually a highly coveted item that couples love to register for (and really hope that they receive).

Forged vs. Stamped: Forged knives are shaped from a single bar of steel and tempered, creating stronger steel that will last a lifetime with proper care. It can be slightly pricier than a stamped knife, but well worth the investment if you're looking for longer-lasting quality. Stamped knives are perfect for your first knife set.

Full Tang vs. Half Tang: A full tang means that the metal blade is one solid piece, as opposed to half tang where the width narrows around the handle. Full tang knives are stronger and last longer, and also have better weight and balance, but also cost slightly more.

Knife Sets vs. Open Stock: Knife sets are a great way to upgrade your knives to a group of beautifully matching essentials, and often come in a knife block which offers easy, safe storage. Many sets also include a group of steak knives, which are much trendier these days to set at the table (instead of butter knives).

Accessories: Don't forget to also register for related tools such as a knife sharpener and quality cutting boards.

What to Add: Wedding Registry Essentials

This is it: the definitive checklist for what to add to your wedding registry. Whether you’re building your first adult home, combining possessions with your partner, or upgrading your well-established space, this list of registry essentials will have you covered (you know, for life).

Kitchen Essentials

• Cookware Set

  • Consider adding: an 8-inch, 10-inch, and 12-inch skillet, 1-2 sauce pans, sauté pan, and stockpot

• Stir Fry Pan or Wok
  

• Knife Set
  

  • Consider adding: a Santoku, paring, bread, carving, utility knife, and a chef’s knife, as well as kitchen shears, steak knives, knife sharpener, and knife block.

• Steak Knives (if not included in knife set)
  

• Cutting Boards
  

• Cooking Utensil Set
  

  • Consider adding: wooden spoons, spatulas, slotted spoon, ladle, whisk, and tongs.

• Cooking Tools
  

  • Consider adding: a cheese grater, can opener, peeler, meat tenderizer, and ice cream scoop.

• Colander
  

• Dutch Oven
  

• Cast-Iron Skillet
  

• Roasting Pan
  

• Griddle
  

• Food Storage Set
  

• Dish Towels
  

• Paper Towel Holder
  

• Dish Drying Rack
  

• Cast-iron Skillet

Kitchen Appliance Essentials

• Stand Mixer
  
• Hand Mixer
  
• Blender
  
• Toaster or Toaster Oven
  
• Food Processor
  
• Coffee Maker and/or Espresso Maker
  
• Coffee Grinder
  
• Tea Kettle
  
• Juicer
  
• Slow Cooker
  
• Pressure Cooker
  
• Rice Cooker
  
• Waffle Maker
  
• Electric Griddle or Panini Press

Dining Essentials

• Everyday Dinnerware Set
  • At least 12 sets that include a dinner plate, salad plate, bowl, and mug.
• Formal Dinnerware Set
  • At least 12 sets that include a dinner plate, salad plate, and some combination of bread plate, cup and saucer, bowl, or mug.
• Everyday 5-Piece Flatware Set
  • At least 12 sets that include a dinner fork, salad fork, soup spoon, teaspoon, and dinner knife.
• Formal 5-Piece Flatware Set
  • At least 12 sets that include a dinner fork, salad fork, soup spoon, teaspoon, and dinner knife.
• Pasta Bowls
  • At least 12 if your dinnerware set(s) do not include.
• Appetizer & Dessert Plates
  • At least 12 if your dinnerware set(s) do not include.
• Serving Platters (1-2 large and 1-2 medium)
  
• Salad Serving Sets
  • Includes salad bowl and salad servers or tongs.
• Napkins
  
• Napkin Rings
  
• Placemats
  
• Table Runners
  
• Tea Towels
  

Drinkware Essentials

• Water or Juice Glasses (at least 12)
  

• Champagne Glasses (at least 12)

• Red Wine Glasses (at least 12)
  

• White Wine Glasses (at least 12)
  

• Whiskey or Double Old Fashioned Glasses (at least 12)
  

• Beer Glasses (at least 12)
  

• Specialty Glasses

  • Could include martini, margarita, or highball glasses.

• Wine Decanter
  

• Spirit Decanter
  

• Bar Tools

  • Could include a corkscrew, bottle opener, strainer, jigger, spoon, ice scoop, or muddler.

• Cocktail Shaker
  

• Ice Bucket and Tongs
  

• Coasters
  

• Wine Bottle Opener
  

• Wine Chiller
  

• Bar Carts

Serveware Essentials

• Cheese Boards
  
• Appetizer Sets
  
• Pitchers
  
• Hostess Sets
  
• Serving Bowls
  
  • 1-2, including covered vegetable bowl if it matches your formal dinnerware.
• Cake Stand
  
• Cake Knife & Server
  
• Salt & Pepper Shakers
  
• Butter Dish
  
• Chip & Dip Set
  
• Coffee Pot
  
• Tea Pot
  
• Creamer
  
• Sugar Bowl
  
• Gravy Boat
  
• Trivet

Bakeware Essentials

• Bakeware Sets
  • Could include: 2-4 cookie sheets, a loaf pan, round and rectangular cake pans, and a muffin pan.

Measuring Cup Set

• Measuring Spoon Set
  
• Mixing Bowl Set
  
• Oven Mitts
  
• Baking or Casserole Dishes
  • Could include: a square baker, rectangular baker, and oval baker.
• Pie Dishes
  
• Ramekins
  
• Specialty Pans
  
• Cooling Racks
  
• Pizza Stone
  
• Rolling Pin
  
• Dry Goods Canisters

Cleaning & Organizing Essentials

• Vacuums
  • Could include both upright and handheld vacuums.
• Trash Cans
  
• Garment Care
  • Could include: an iron, ironing board, steamer, and drying rack.
• Closet Organizers
  
• Cleaning Tools
  • Could include: a broom, dustpan, step stool, scrubbers, cleaning cloths, and gloves.
• Laundry Hampers
  
• Storage Baskets

Bedding Essentials

• Sheet Sets (2-3)
  
• Comforter
  
• Duvet Set
  
• Pillows (2-4)
  
• Pillowcases (4-6)
  
• Euro Shams
  
• Quilts & Blankets
  
• Bedding Bundles
  
• Mattress Pad
  
• Duvet Insert
  

Bath Essentials

• Towel Sets (unless buying bath separates below) (4-6)
  
• Bathroom Accessories
  • Could include: waste basket, soap dish, lotion dispenser, and 2-4 storage canisters.
• Shower Curtain
  
• Bath Mat or Rug (1-2)
  
• Bath Sheets (4-6)
  
• Bath Towels (4-6)
  
• Hand Towels (4-6)
  
• Washcloths (4-6)
  
• Vanity Mirror

Experiences

Travel

• Could include: gift cards to airlines, cruises, hotels, home rentals, car services, and activities

Food & Wine

• Could include: wine, cheese, and meal kit subscriptions, gift boxes, and restaurant gift cards

Charity