Registry

We didn’t do one. Like you, we have everything we need and didn't want (or expect) any more “stuff.” I would say of our 75 guests, only 3-4 actually asked if we had a registry. At our wedding, 90% of our guests gifted us cash/gift cards, and we received 4 actual gifts, all of which were great and reflected our personal interests.

There was a post on Instagram not long ago that said “Don’t think of it as a registry. Look at it as a wishlist of stuff you want that you would never spend your own money on.


Everyone can use upgrades and donate the used items. What have you seen while out shopping that you have your eye on but wouldn’t buy yourself? Do you entertain guests with bbqs and game night? Do you go camping together? What do you enjoy?
If your families are asking you to make a registry that means they and people they know prefer to give physical gifts. On WW, people say that no registry = a boatload of cash gifts. Reality for many is the opposite in that you will get many physical gifts you don’t want and are unable to return. Make a simple registry at Target or Bed Bath and Beyond using the checklists they provide. Give the info to parents and let them spread the word.

You can always use a registry to upgrade things you already have, that’s what me and my FH are doing. We have a lot of hand-me-down things from our parents like a toaster oven and flatware. Or like previous poster said use it for things you want but wouldn’t buy for yourself like board games or something for outdoor entertainment, something related to your interests. It doesn’t have to be all kitchenware or house related things!

We didn't do one for the same reason. When asked about if we have a registry, I say "We are not registered, but there will be a card box". I'm leaving it up to the guests to decide how they want to handle that. We expect nothing from our guests, other than having a great time at our wedding!

I think this is becoming more common as couples are choosing to marry later in life, and after already cohabiting. Hardly any of the weddings I’ve been to in the last 5 + years have had registries, and guests have just given monetary gifts or gift cards. In the absence of a registry, most people will default to money. Like you, we are not planning to register for physical gifts either. There is really nothing we need, so we don’t want our friends and family needlessly wasting money on items we don’t want. If they wish to give monetary gifts, cool! If not, also cool! Their presence is their present as far as we’re concerned.

If you don’t want a registry, that is fine, but you might want to give your guests some options. For example, they could give you money or you and hubby could ask for donations to be made to your favorite charity or “let your presence be your gift.” Many local charities have wish lists where you can buy specific items the charity needs— like at the Humane society.

As a guest, I would likely give a monetary gift as well as make a charity donation.

I sure hope you don’t get a lot of stuff you don’t want! Good luck!

Don’t register and don’t mention anything about cash, people will get the hint. You should never mention the registry on the invitation. The only place registry information should go is a shower invitation or a wedding website. Also, be aware that not having a registry means you cannot have a shower.

View Quoted Comment I think I’d rather do a bridal brunch/luncheon! Opening gifts in front of people is awkward to me anyways We’re not going to mention that we’re not registered unless someone asks. And I’m NOT asking people for cash, that’s tacky. Just want people to show up and have a good time! And for us to not have to figure out where all of our new stuff would go

We registered for upgrades along with things we did not already have. This included things that need replacement such as old miss-matched kitchen items (like dishes where half the set has broken over the years). It also included fancy gadgets like an air fryer which we didn’t have or camping equipment (as my tiny 1-person tent would not work for both of us).

View Quoted Comment Yes I love this! I just want everyone to have a good time! We’re definitely not asking for cash, we’re just not asking for gifts.

View Quoted Comment Thank you, you just put my thoughts into words perfectly!

Hello ! Around me there are only those couples who already have everything so they just wanted money for the honeymoon... We wanted to do the same, but I still had people asking for our registry... So I did a small one, and it also had an option to send just money for an object. And we put a box at the venue with a "thank you" on it - people knew it was for cards and cash I still got some glasses and forks... but also the money.

We won’t be having a registry - like others have said, we have everything we need.

We are not doing a registry because we have lived together for 3 years also. Because folks kept asking about it, we are opting to do the honeymoon fund only. I wasn’t a fan of the honeymoon fund but it was something that could be useful. I refused to do a registry for stuff we simply don’t need.

We aren't doing a registry. We have been living together for 3 years.

I am doing a very small registry. New linens and a few kitchen items. I figure if people are going to give us something anyway and they don't like the registry items they will give cash. Not that they have to give us anything but if we end up with money we can pay for the honeymoon, pay off debt, whatever. I definitely didn't register for anything I didn't really want or need.

This is what we posted on our wedding website under our registry

"Bride and groom request your presence not presents. If you are thinking of giving a gift, a gift of cash towards the honeymoon, would really make their day! However, if you prefer to purchase a gift or card, feel free to surprise them in your own way"

We have been living together for over 5 years and have children lol We don't need stuff we are going to end up sending back. Even stuff we wish we would like to have, we don't need it and would most likely end up not ever being used.

I don't plan on doing one since my fiance and I already have everything we need. What I plan doing instead is doing a Charity Wedding Registry. I'm still not sure what the best way to set this up yet so I'll be asking the question here in a bit, but the 3 charities we are doing are for sure are: 1) Last Hope K9 Rescue, where we adopted our beautiful girl, Harley, and does amazing work transporting dogs from high kill shelters in AR to Boston to be fostered and adopted; 2) John 3:16 Mission, a ministry in Tulsa, OK, where my fiance is from, that serves the homeless and at risk population; and 3) JDRF, which is the leading global organization funding innovative research to cure, prevent, and treat type 1 diabetes and its complications. I was recently diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes (LADA) so advancing research and care in that space is dear to me.

I don’t plan to make a registry either, and I also don’t agree with the notion that a registry should be used to list items you want but wouldn’t purchase for yourself. I’d never ask for someone to buy me an expensive gift if it’s something I wouldn’t buy for myself, it seems counterintuitive.


It also feels a bit gift grabby to me when I know people have a fully stocked house and just want to “upgrade” to high end items they most likely won’t use often. I buy kitchen things as I need them so I already have my kitchen aid, le creuset, (cheap but commercial grade) stainless steel pots, aluminum pans, etc. I prefer to buy things for my home that last a long time, even if they are cheap, instead of buying things that need “upgrading” but that’s just my philosophy. As my fiancé says “buy it nice or buy it twice” LOL!