THE ULTIMATE GIFT REGISTRY GUIDE: 15 SITES TO HAVE ON YOUR RADAR

Shopping for your dress, selecting your stationary and the perfect dinner menu at your reception are all exciting in their own right…. However, creating a shoppable wish list aka gift registry fuels a whole new level of excitement. Think about it, after you get done with your nuptials and celebrating your union you have many gifts to open that help you and your partner stock up and make your house a home.

Lacoste was so kind to jumpstart our registry with these soft white antimicrobial towels! I am almost scared to use them because I do not wan to mess them up haha, we certainly added more to our cart and I can not wait to get them because we ordered a few other colors.

What is a Gift Registry?

A wedding registry is a curated list of gifts an engaged couple creates to make the wedding gift experience easier and more guided for their wedding guests.  Whether you’re looking to furnish your home, collect money to book your honeymoon vacation or fund to assist with the down payment on a new home, registries offer something for every couple. The premise is simple, choose a store and pick a range of items that you’d love to own. My suggestion is to add a few different price ranges, to cater to your different guests budgets. After you had compiled your list let your wedding guests know where they can find your registry. We shared ours on the wedding website we created.

My fiancé and I have lived on our own for years and were pretty established on the home appliance, furnishing and décor department prior to engagement so we decided to take some time before creating our gift registry to take inventory in a few things like; what we have doubles of, what needed to be upgraded or what needed to be replaced. After creating an extensive list we decided to cap our registries to two different stores.

Keep in mind that like your wedding, your registry should reflect who you are as a couple. If you don’t know where to begin below you will find everything from traditional registries at some of everyone’s favorite retailers to a few suggestions to online cash funds and even charitable collections, where your guests can support nonprofits close to your heart.

3 Tips Before You Register!

1. Register Early! My fiance and I did not realize how early our family and friends wanted to start shopping for us! We were humbled and taken back that we were showered with gifts leading up to the wedding. People like to plan far in advance for gifts, so we got our registry up as soon as we could!

2. Complete The Registry Together. We decided to do all of our registries in person. We found it to be quite fun as we turned it into a date night activity! During our drive home we found ourselves getting so excited and fantasizing over how we would make memories surround certain items like the pop corn machine! Can you say movie night here we come?!

3. Over add to your list and be sure to add ALL price points. Yes you heard that right over add, especially if you have wedding events such as your shower and engagement party leading up to the wedding it gives your loved ones and friends a source to refer to for those gifts to bring to your parties! Be sure to be mindful of everyone’s budget, and create categories of Under $50, under $75, under $100, and beyond. Some Big Box retailers offer a “big ticket item fund” for example if you added a couch to your registry guest can chip in towards the large total, which I find so awesome!

Here are the best wedding registry stores and websites:

Crate & Barrel

By far one of the most popular big box retailers for gift registries for so many reasons! I love that they offer so many options to add to your wish list from popular houseware brands, sleek furniture, and entertaining essentials—all at an affordable price. You can begin your registry online, or go in store. I highly suggest going in store because Crate & Barrel gives you a gift to show their thanks when you register in store! It may vary from location to location.

Zola.com

One of the most versatile wedding registry sites because you can register to receive gifts, cash, honeymoons and donate to charities.

MyRegistry

If your favorite boutique or store does not offer registries that’s where MyRegistry comes in, you can link your unique items in this universal registry.

Amazon.com

What can you not find on Amazon? From bedding to electronics like the Amazon Echo, this massive e-commerce site allows you to register for just about anything you could imagine for your home and has quickly become a favorite to many couples.

Target

The essential one stop shop retailer, Target offers so much from brands we love, gadgets, cleaning supplies and more.

Bed Bath and Beyond

The perfect place for all of your home essentials, and discover new items to make your life easier that you didnt even know you needed!

West Elm

A West Elm registry is practically a must-have for couples looking to fill their first home, especially if you are into the mid century modern aesthetic.

Macy’s

Such a huge selection of brands, products, and styles, Macy’s allows you to cross nearly everything off your list.

Bloomingdale’s

Many favorited home brands such as Le Crueset, Lacoste, Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, Ralph Lauren, Michael Aram, and Wedgwood, you can select houseware, and furniture that are both functional and stylish.

Neiman Marcus

If you are looking for top-of-the-line homegood you need to head over to the Neiman Marcus wedding registry department. They even serve champagne while you shop and scan to add your registry.

CB2

If you are searching for a modern flare check out CB2.

Pottery Barn

If you are seeking relaxed vibe throughout your home, I suggest Pottery Barn. Everywhere you turn you will be sure to scan and add to your gift list.

The Container Store

Who doesn’t want to start off married life organized? Be sure to pop over to the Container store for all the product solutions such as closet organization or pantry aesthetic!

Dillard’s

Talk about registry incentives, if you register for and receive $800 worth of All-Clad, Dillard’s throws in a 9-inch French skillet engraved with your monogram and wedding date, and other items, like KitchenAid, come with a Dilliard’s gift card.

Anthropologie

If you are after a Boho Chic vibe in your home and want global influences and unique finds, your go to store is Anthropologie! Search the brand’s many collections of dining and kitchen goods, home décor, furniture, and candles for the perfect accent pieces for your home. You’ll get a 15% completion discount that’s good for 90 days.

Restoration Hardware

If you already live together and have every single basic you could ever need to match your vibe together is inside RH!