Registry - One Nice Item?

It depends on the cost. Everyone who purchases from a registry as is common looks for something within their budget. If you don’t have a physical registry with a wide range of prices you will receive lower priced items you don’t want and can’t return.

View Quoted Comment Thanks, Michelle! That’s what I’m trying to gauge, whether people will still feel like they want to give us a physical gift along with/instead of the “big gift.”

People will give one or the other but they prefer a choice. It is common to have heirloom quality items and other expensive things on a regular registry and guests can decide while reading what they can comfortably afford to spend or if they want to go together with another guest to pay for the more expensive item. But have a wide range of prices from $2 on up to $1000+ because everyone has different budgets. Make the regular registry and guests will decide for themselves what to spend.

I, personally, don’t enjoy giving gifts at weddings. I prefer to just give cash so the couple can do what they wish with it. However, if the couple were to include a little written section on their wedding website that explained what you just said about wanting to create a unique heirloom, I would definitely contribute! One thing about it though- It seems when people contribute to something (honeymoon fund, one large gift, etc.) they tend to give less than if they were to just give a monetary gift. I don’t know if it’s because there is a sense of anonymity when contributed with a group? So you may end up faring better if you just put the cash gifts you receive towards purchasing the flatware.

I LOVE getting a place setting or silver from the registry! It’s my favorite thing to get!

I mean getting for the couple, not for myself. I don’t see it much these days but when I do, it’s my first choice if I can afford it. Usually if they have china, etc there will be some individual serving pieces that are more budget friendly as well.

I think on some registries there are options for group gifting where people can contribute any amount to a "big ticket" item.

Its good to have a variety of things in different price points though.

I personally like picking a specific item that I know will last a long time and they’ll think of me when they use it, so I typically pick some kind of pot/pan or nicer gift now that I can afford it! But it’s whatever you want! I just like knowing what I’m getting is something they want and will use, so if you want to have people contribute toward something special, then do that! But there’s also no reason you can’t do both! You can add stuff to a group fund and people can contribute or they can outright buy items!