Items to consider when building your wedding registry

When Musa and I were putting together our wedding registry, I’ll never forget his one and only request: a printer. Yep, a full-on, office-style laser jet printer. I remember saying, “Babe, this is a wedding registry—who’s going to buy us a printer?!” But lo and behold… someone did. And now? I absolutely love it. It’s huge, it’s heavy, it’s awesome—and I’ll never forget the person who gave it to us.

Finding things to put on your registry can be SO fun, and it’s a chance to add both essentials and little luxuries that make your new life together even sweeter. Here are my top 10 registry must-haves that I’m so glad we included:

1. Wedding China

I grew up watching my mom and grandma pull out their china for the holidays, special dinners, and tea parties. At first, I wasn’t sure if we needed our own—but I’m so glad we registered for it. There's something special about setting the table with beautiful china for celebrations or hosting dinner with friends.

We chose the Kate Spade Library Lane collection—classic, timeless, and still uniquely us. I can’t wait to one day pass it down.

2. Bed Sheets & Mattress Covers

Originally, I planned to register for just one or two sheet sets. But my mom insisted I add more—and I’m so glad I listened. We registered for six sets of sheets, and it’s been a total lifesaver when guests visit or laundry piles up.

And mattress covers? Total game changer. They make cleaning up spills easy and protect one of the most-used items in your home. Trust me, you need one.

3. Panini Maker

Musa and I are total foodies. When we got our panini maker, we ate paninis every single day for a full week—breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It’s one of those fun kitchen items you’d never think to buy for yourself, but it seriously upgraded our sandwich game.

4. Picnic Set

One of our friends gifted us the cutest picnic set, and it has become one of our favorite date-night items. Even just using it on our apartment patio feels special. We love bringing it to the park with the dogs or setting it up for an easy romantic night under the stars.

5. Christmas Decor & Nativity Set

Christmas decorations are one of those things that feel like a splurge when you're newly married—but they’re so meaningful. My aunt gifted us the Willow Tree Nativity Set, and it is absolutely stunning. We also received “newlywed” ornaments that make decorating the tree each year feel like walking down memory lane.

6. Crockpot

I could write a whole post just about this. The All-Clad Crockpot has been a lifesaver on busy days. Just toss in the ingredients in the morning, and by dinnertime, it feels like a private chef has been in your kitchen all day. It’s warm, it’s homey, and it’s the easiest way to cook something delicious from scratch.

7. French Press & Coffee Grinder

For the coffee lovers out there, this is a must. Musa is a big coffee drinker, and our French press + grinder combo has become a part of our daily rhythm. There’s just nothing like freshly ground beans and a hot, strong cup of coffee to start your day right.

8. Luggage

I know it sounds random, but good luggage is one of the most underrated registry gifts. We had been making do with duffle bags and old carry-ons, so getting a quality luggage set was such a treat. Every time we travel, we think of the person who gave it to us.

9. Cooking Utensils

My first set of kitchen utensils came from the dollar store—and let’s just say, they didn’t last long. They melted, broke, and turned into plastic spears. 😅 Getting a nice set of cooking utensils has made our kitchen more functional and more beautiful. Plus, they’re great to display!

10. Something Personal to the Couple

One of our dearest family friends gave us our favorite gift: a cookbook. But not just any cookbook—an Azerbaijani cookbook, honoring Musa’s heritage. It’s become a regular part of our weeknight meals, and I love making dishes for his family that feel like home to them.

It’s meaningful, useful, and something we’ll pass down to our kids. The best kind of gift.

Final Thoughts

Your wedding registry is about more than dishes and towels. It’s a reflection of your life together—your routines, your traditions, your memories in the making. Whether it’s something practical like a crockpot or something deeply personal like a cultural cookbook, choose what speaks to you two as a couple.

And don’t forget... even a giant printer might become one of your favorite things.