Our niece is getting married at the beginning of September and we’re over the moon for her and the rest of the couples lining our calendar, prepping to tie the knot this summer/fall. It’s officially wedding season and it’s one of the most wonderful times of the year if you ask me. This year, makes 8 years since Chris and I were married and first of all, what?! Secondly, in those 8 years, we’ve experimented with more things home-related than probably the average person, in large part due to blogging about our home 7 of those 8 years. Which started the conversation: If we could make our wedding registry today, what would it include?Â
We came up with 15 things that would absolutely be on our registry today. Some are things we now own and love, some we have researched and are on our own wish lists and all come extremely highly rated and made to last so you can look back on your anniversaries and say “Oh yeah, we got that for our wedding from ____.” Which is kind of the point, right? Behold, what would be on our wedding registry (8 years later):
- Coyuchi’s Air Weight Bath Towel  This towel is made with 550 grams per square meter of environmentally friendly and responsibly produced organic cotton and probably possesses the smallest footprint you’ll come across in home linens. People rave about it’s quick-dry ability and luxe feel against the skin; a match made in heaven.
- John Boos Cutting Board  No matter what size your home is, a nice butcher block to prep on feels fancy and will last a lifetime.
- Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven Cast iron is the best way to cook because it holds heat so well, is durable and the enamel keeps it easy to care for and non-stick. Even still, Le Creuset is a splurge. For a budget option, we have the LODGE version which we love and has really high reviews, too.
- Crate & Barrel’s White Essential Dishware It only took us 6 years to finally figure out a full set of simple white, quality dishes would make us feel like adults.
- Wusthof 8″ Chef’s Knife One great knife will replace 20 subpar knives. So skip registering for that knife-block set. This 8″ knife has a very comfortable design and is large enough to handle all your cutting but can make some nice, detailed cuts as well. As long as it is cared for properly (i.e. don’t put it in the dishwasher) it will last years and years.
- 18V Dewalt Drill/Driver Whether you’re renting or own a home, there will always be projects to do that will require a drill and driver. We have found this one has the best power and versatility and is an essential part of our tool arsenal.
- Anolon Nouvelle Copper Stainless Steel Cookware We only got these pans last year and Chris always says they’re the best pans he’s ever used. Want to start with just one? Go for a lidded saute pan.
- Handled Seagrass Basket This may seem like a weird thing to gift for a registry, but a high-quality, versatile basket can hold laundry, toys, blankets, shoes, a plant, magazines–it can be with you through every stage of your life.
- OXO Lidded Nesting Bowls w/ Colanders  The ideal nesting set for rinsing, straining, mixing, serving, storing AND stacking.
- Crate & Barrel Working Glasses We registered for glasses for our wedding and they all broke in the first year. These are so sturdy and even have lids!
- Classic Schoolhouse Clock  This timeless clock is as beautiful as it is functional and a welcomed decor piece amongst all the kitchen goods.
- CB2 518 Flatware After lots of research, we bought ourselves this flatware for Christmas and the weight and shape of this feels so luxurious for a really reasonable price. Why did we wait so long!?
- Rubbermaid Tupperware We now own 3 sets of this, one drawer holds all the bottoms and a narrow drawer above of all the lids (check out how we organized all of our kitchen cabinets in this post. It’s my happy place. Matching tupperware is pretty adult.
- Lakeside Blanket  An indigo throw that goes with everything, like a good pair of blue jeans. It’s a  woven cotton, large enough to spread out for picnics or beach trips and soft enough to cuddle up under for a movie.
- Apple TVÂ We got the latest version as a gift from my parents and it’s even better than before.This little box is a great way to save money on cable, and all newlyweds want to do is Netflix and chill anyway, right? ;)
I think it’s also important to be mindful of price range when making a registry. Include things under $20-around $200 (although some people will even go above that). Is there anything you would add to the list??
Julia! I get so much shopping inspiration from your blog! We are on the hunt for new flatware and I love the design and price of the CB2 set you’ve mentioned here. How have you found they hold up? We are definitely a dishwasher family and some reviews say they are great and others say they spot/rust.
We still love them and they have held up great for us (we’re a dishwasher family too)
I’ll put in a plug for Crate & Barrel dinnerware — we registered for their Aspen plates and bowls, and four years on they’re totally going strong. No gray scratches (like you see sometimes on Ikea’s white dishes), and in spite of heavy use with kids, etc. I think we’ve maybe broken one plate, if that.
I also went big — I registered for for about 20 place settings (particularly since the Aspen dishes were so affordable). I got some lighthearted mockery but the last time we had a few families over at once, I was glad I had all those dishes!
Wouldn’t it be nice if you could have a five year anniversary registry?! I feel like I would register for much more practical items. Quesadilla maker?! So unnecessary! :)
Omg yes!
Hahaha–yes!
One of my friends said her favorite wedding gift were these cute personalized ice cream dishes….I thought that was awesome! (especially because it was from a friend who knew the couple well)
And I saw the comment above about the Kitchen Aide. I felt so much pressure to “want” one, and I’m actually glad I didn’t get one as a wedding gift! I would have never used it!
We have friends who are in their late 20’s, have been living together, and are now getting married. As a result, their household needs are few. They have a small and traditional registry of varying prices at 2 stores, but also have a honey-fund, which admittedly was a bit of a surprise, but upon reflection, is amazing–due in large part to how it is presented. (Let it be known I could’ve birthed these friends, so generational differences exist at first glance.) I think it just as wonderful to be the people who have given them not just things (though I agree with Sayward–I still think of who gave us what when I’m using wedding items), but experiences. Their honey-fund to a central American country has varied price-points, and is written in a way to make guests feel as if they’ve contributed to a special time in the honeymooners’ lives. It’s a great reaction to the idea that spending money on experiences is just as important, if not more so, than spending money on things.