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Creating your Wedding Registry

For a lot of couples creating a wedding registry can be a bit overwhelming. It's easy to get lost in the maze of china, blenders, sheets and towels. Figure out the basics you need first, then once that's done you can focus on the fun gifts. To make things easier, take stock of what you have. Quite a few brides and grooms have been living on their own for some time and may already have basic kitchen and housewares items. Decide if you need to upgrade or if your missing items in your current collection and add them to your list if needed, always upgrade to quality items that will last you for years to come. Registry checklists are available at almost every store with gift giving services, but use these only as a guide, most people only need a fraction of what is listed on a traditional list. Hit the home essentials but tailor your needs to what you need or want as a couple, if you'll use camping equipment more than crystal then definitely put that on your registry list. It's also a good idea to have a wide price range for your guests to choose from, some guests may want to spend less on shower gifts and more for a wedding gift so it's important to try to accommodate everyone. Most of your registry should fall between $50 and $100 which is the price range that most guests will shop. If you can access your registry online, check it often to see what items are being purchased, if there aren't many gifts left in the middle range, go back and register for more items in that range. Don't forget to register for some high priced items that are great for close family or group gift giving.

Dinnerware

The three main dinnerware materials are porcelain, china (formal dining) and earthenware (for casual dining). Most china is sold in five piece settings-dinner plate, salad plate, bread plate and tea cup and saucer. Casual china comes in a four piece set- a dinner and salad plate, soup bowl and mug. The everyday dinnerware is usually sold in boxed sets but you can get them by the piece if you want. It's best to have enough settings for up to 12 people. White plates can be easily dressed up with with some color, like colorful runners and linens. If your asking for two sets of dinnerware remember to choose formal and casual flatware to match.

Entertaining

When choosing glassware for entertaining, consider your entertaining style, get the glasses you'll use the most. A basic bar should be stocked with red and white wine glasses, goblets, champagne flutes, and specialty glasses such as margarita, martini and beer glasses. Register for at least as many wineglasses as you have place settings and also extra in case a few break, you can never have too many. For cocktail glasses, choose six to eight of each shape. For everyday drinking glasses, figure out how many your dishwasher can hold and ask for six more, this way you'll always have clean ones on hand. Don't forget your bar accessories like corkscrew, bottle stopper, strainer, shaker and icebucket

Cookware

Cookware is available in may materials and used to achieve different results. The most popular are aluminum and stainless steel (great for skillets, pans and stockpots) non-stick (easy to clean), heavy or enameled cast iron (heavy for skillets and enameled for saucepans and dutch ovens) and copper (good heat conductor). Always look for sturdy stuff with oven proof handles which are riveted on. Bakeware is available in similar materials but also in glass, ceramic and silicone.

Cutlery

If there's one item to invest in in the kitchen it's in your cutlery, well made knives will last you a lifetime. Many professional grade knives are made of high carbon stainless steel. Get a feel for the knives by holding it to see how it feels, if it molds to your hand, you've found your set.. The most important knvives to have are a paring knife, all purpose chefs, and serrated bread knives.

Linens

A set of linens for table, bed and bath are a must for any home. For the table choose classic white or ivory linen and some decorative ones. for placemats, register for as many settings as you have plus two so that if some are stained you'll have extra. For sheets, register for two sets plus blankets, mattress pad and comforter. register for a really nice sheet set with high thread count (I got an 800 count sheet set and I love it!) Don't forget about the bathroom, register for at least two sets, preferably four so you can rotate every week instead of washing the same two sets. Register for one set of white towels because they'll go with any decor.

Fun Stuff

You should always register for fun stuff too that you really want, not everything has to be home basics, if you really would love a new camera, a camping tent, or a TV, by all means put them on your registry! Above all have fun with creating your registry!

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