My Tidbits for a Wedding Registry
I did a fair amount of research for each item we requested, so I’m confident in the below recommendations. They’re what we’ve loved most, big or small. Here’s the link to our actual registry with all items: www.zola.com/registry/parkerandsteven.
Tidbits:
Our registry (and wedding website) home base was Zola. I synced our Amazon and Williams-Sonoma registries through it. Fair warning, Williams-Sonoma’s registry system is a bit glitchy (you sometimes end up with things in multiples), but it’s worth it for their products and they’re great with returns. On Zola’s platform, you can also add credit for items from other sites.
Make the most of the “contribute what you wish” feature for more expensive items. People still have the option to cover the full price if they’d like.
Feel your wine glasses, steak knives, flatware, serving dishes, and mugs in-person before requesting them. We asked for full dishware sets and didn’t end up liking the mugs that came with them.
Williams-Sonoma has flatware that stays in stock over time, so I think it’s a smart purchase. We chose the Hampstead flatware - best looking that felt great in our hands. As you’d expect, they make matching serving sets as well.
The first things we received were a drill and a toolset. Very glad we received them when we did. Go ahead and buy them for yourself.
Ask for the things you won’t want to splurge on for yourself. For example, this simplehuman bathroom/office trash can.
Request a coffee maker that you love. You may as well give yourself a great start to each day, and you’ll save money avoiding coffee-shop prices long-term. Jura does it right and leaves you with minimal work. We picked the A1 because of its size, but I wish we’d upgraded to one that also heats water.
We opted for universal wine glasses. They make sense for a range of reasons. Zalto’s are the best on the market. Zalto also makes a water carafe that we love the looks of, but it hasn’t arrived (14 months later). Fair warning, they’re extremely fragile.
My friend, Lucy Diepenhorst, is a chef, and specifically recommended a Staub dutch oven given its tendency to cook things evenly.
You don’t need an air fryer. If you want any air fryer and already own an Instant Pot, consider the air fryer lid. You can use it to fry, dehydrate, steam, slow cook, and more.
I love our Le Creuset corkscrew. I did more research that was probably necessary here, but it’s as smooth as any I’ve used.
Very fond of our Riedel glassware. “Drink specific” rocks glasses and “Spey” long drinks.
Shun’s “Classic Blonde” knife line is beautiful. The bread knife is my favorite of what we own. I opted for a matching line, but with time intend to add one-offs based on quality.
Check out Etsy for vintage lamps and Turkish pillows. That’s the first place I go looking for smaller home goods.
Our Miele vacuum is a game changer. They last forever and are the best on the market. We purchased the compact version and love it.
The ANOVA Precision Cooker will save you hours of hands-on time in the kitchen. It’s wifi-enabled, so you can begin to heat up water before you’re home from a day out.
Consider an art fund or membership to your favorite museum. It’s a fun gift that you’ll appreciate long after the wedding. We asked for a MoMA Membership. Subscriptions to things such as MasterClass are also a fun gift.
It’s okay to not ask for china if you don’t want it.
People love to get creative. There’s a type of gifter that I refer to as a “decor-pusher”. If there’s a common item missing from your registry, someone will likely take the opportunity to find something that’s their take on your taste. Avoid receiving the nonrefundable tacky cheeseboard or monogrammed coasters by listing what you like. If you change your mind, you can always exchange it for something else. For example, we asked for these coasters.
A few must-haves that need no explanation.
A cast iron skillet.
A pasta pot. We have Williams-Sonoma’s and love it.
Laguiole steak knives.
Le Creuset’s espresso cups and mugs.
A wireless hand mixer (if you can remember to charge it).
The Vitamix A3500.
Anything from Port Living Co., including the utensil holder/wine chiller and stacking cellars.
An Apple TV.
This turntable. We found a high quality turntable at a lower price point.