Are Wedding Registries Really Necessary?

If you are planning to have a shower, you should have a registry, since showers are for physical gifts. Otherwise, you can skip the registry. Many people give cash regardless as a wedding gift. We had a small registry, mainly for the shower, which consisted of some upgrades (nicer pots and pans, more silverware, etc.).

That's entirely up to you and your future spouse. Almost all couples have one, but it's not necessary!

Most couples fill their registry with items they've always wanted, upgrades for items they already have, or just fun stuff they never thought about before!

If there is no registry most people give cash or checks.

Registries are not required. As Hannah mentioned, if you are having a shower, I would highly suggest having a registry. If not, and you choose to not make a registry, most guests will be cash or gift cards.

If you decide to make a registry, you can always add items that you might already have, but could use some updating (ie: towels, sheets, kitchen items, etc.).

Definitely not required. We don't need/want anything and are not doing a bridal shower so we're skipping the registry.

Bed Bath and Beyond is a very popular place to register and they have a list on their site to get you started.

Every couple I have met (across the country so not a single social group) has made a full registry, no cash/honeymoon funds, and said they received almost all of what they asked for. They have said cash is not given among their social groups and families but obviously each is different. If you do not register, you will get the random gifts you don't want and can't return. Never assume that cash is the default.

Guests will ask where you are registered and the info is spread by word of mouth or discretely on your website. Absolutely no mention on your invites.

I had this same thought. But I don't want to end up with 10 blenders or whatever random stuff someone would get us. So I put stuff on my registry I am willing to replace/upgrade. Because I have a bunch of appliances that I love and don't want to deal with that.

View Quoted Comment

Generally registries are designed to delete an item as soon as it is purchased to avoid this.

We skipped the registry. We have everything we need and are not expecting any gifts from our guests.
It makes sense for people that want to upgrade their homes or move into a new household together.

As a guest, I personally appreciate some direction from the couple as to what they would like, whether this be physical items listed on a registry or a 'honeyfund' or wishing well. If you do not have a registry or inform guests of your wishing well you will likely get a mixture of odd gifts and cash from the guests who bring gifts.

View Quoted Comment

Yes, on mine it shows as purchased. But I fear without a registry people won't know what someone else bought. So I made it so I didn't get a bunch of random stuff. So that's why while it's not necessary to have a registry I know guests appreciate it.

View Quoted Comment

When guests go direct to the stores to either in person or online, they ask customer service for the registry list and the purchased item is removed from the registry to prevent duplicates. Without any registry or going through middlemen sites rather than the store itself, it's chaotic with duplicates, gifts you don't want and can't return, and any other mix of snafus. Make it easy on guests by setting up a simple registry they shop directly at (going directly to the store site rather than an all-in-one site) to avoid the chaos and confusion.

View Quoted Comment Yep, exactly.

View Quoted Comment I am agreeing and felt like I was contributing to the conversation. I am a little confused since I am agreeing with you.

I had a honeymoon fund but everyone kept asking me what I wanted cause I had a shower so I just made a second one of items

We're skipping the registry because we're having a semi-destination wedding and we don't want to ask for gifts since our guests are having to travel for our wedding. I probably would skip it even if we didn't have to travel. I'm also not having a bridal shower.