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Cash wedding registries can be a total boon for the couple who already has everything they need to create their home together. Sure, upgrading is nice, but if you love your dishes and couldn’t possibly fit another kitchen appliance in your cabinets, extra money toward your honeymoon or home-improvement projects will be just as appreciated — and won’t take up any space. But for pre-wedding parties like your bridal shower, when guests traditionally arrive with either kitchenwares or lingerie, is creating an actual registry required? Here’s what our experts have to say.
While you probably have a really good reason for skipping the traditional registry in the first place (we hear you, newlywed kitchens are SMALL!), when it comes to your bridal shower, putting together an abridged registry is a good idea. After all, guests will want to arrive with a gift in hand and save the check for your wedding day, and a registry makes that process much easier. Take a good look at your inventory, and opt for items that you really could use, even if you don’t need them. Remember items like towels, sheets, and other soft goods — they might need an update, or could be great items to have an extra set of on-hand.
Another great idea is to ask your bridal shower hostesses to choose a more specific theme so guests can get you more creative gifts. Do you love to cook? Create a list of cookbooks you’d love to have (our list of must-have titles is a great place to start!), whether it’s every single aspect of Italian cooking or a variety of publications from around the globe. Are the two of you big wine drinkers? Invite your friends to bring their favorite bottle so you can have a wine-tasting night. Love getting everyone together for Game Night? A collection of board games will keep the fun going.
See more: Do All Bridal Showers Need a Theme?