Photo: Jennifer Tripucka
You said yes to his proposal, picked a wedding date and venue, and even have the perfect wedding dress picked out, the only thing left on your wedding to do list is the registry. Your wedding registry is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in the wedding planning process — people will want to send you gifts almost as soon as you get engaged, so you may as well get what you want. Whether you’re into a classic registry, or wanting to devote everything to your honeymoon excursions, sometimes you miss out on some ideal registry items by going with what is expected. Ready to start thinking outside the box with your wedding gifts? Here are some unexpected items you should definitely consider adding to your wedding registry.
Mix and Match China
Long gone are the days of registering for a fully matching set of china. Take advantage of this time to mix and match patterns and colors. That way, you can use these alone for a more simple table, or mix patterns and colors for a more modern home decor statement. Best-selling dinnerware maker, Lenox, (above) often carries the same styles in different patterns that can easily complement each other.
A Ring Dish
You’ll want a place to safely store your new bling on those rare occasions you take off your engagement and wedding rings. Add a fashionable ring plate to your registry and let friends give you something you’ll use daily.
Salt and Pepper Shakers
These might be one of the most overlooked items when building a kitchen, and perhaps the ones you’ll use the most. Salt and pepper shakers are a nice option to give guests on a budget, who still want to get you something meaningful and nice but not break the bank. Choose a pair with a little whimsy, like adorable elephant figurines.
Cooking Classes
Focusing all of your experiential registry picks on a honeymoon? It’s time to think of an activity that’s a bit more local. A cooking class is not only practical, but it’s a romantic date night to look forward to with your new spouse after the wedding and honeymoon have come and gone. Plus, you’ll have all those new kitchen items to practice on when you set up your new home together.
Food Delivery Service
Keep up your health goals, and make newlywed life a little easier, by adding a food delivery service like BlueApron to your registry. Many companies just send the ingredients for the meal you’ve selected and you get to do the cooking in your own kitchen $ with a bottle of wine, naturally.
A Tent
Are you and your new spouse outdoor lovers? Friends who know your love all things outdoors will be very excited to gift you something they know you’ll get use out of, plus it gives you a little extra incentive to cuddle up together under the stars — as if you needed any!
A Camera
Put down the iPhone, you’ll want a real camera to capture all of those honeymoon pictures. You’ll be thankful you registered for a splurge-worthy camera when you’re framing your honeymoon and wedding photos for a gallery wall, or creating some unforgettable photo books as a first anniversary gift (paper, duh!).