How many items to register for?

Well one thing you might think about is how much they cost. Your Aunt and Uncle aren't just going to buy you one cutting board and call it quits. If you have low-cost gifts on your registry, your guests are likely to buy you more than one. When we got done with our registry the person that helped us looked at the total cost and not the total number.

ETA: So I guess what I'm saying is that if its something more expensive each household might only buy one thing and if its something less expensive they might buy more to compensate. (Not saying that as a bride you should expect your guests to do that, but its what I do when I am a guest)

We tried to do about two per couple (so about one per guest, plus a little more) because that is what was recommended to us. We spread it out over different price points and I monitored throughout to see if I needed to add more.

I will note that it is more common in our circle to give cash or check (plus shower gift for those invited to the shower).

We registered for about 200 "things" (some places sold glasses individually, so like a set of 8 glasses was 8 items)

so far we have 126 items off our registry. We also got items that were not on our registry, or doubles of some stuff so we have about $300-$400 in gift cards from returns.

We have about 200 on our registry..but that includes everything from a new garlic press to a pet vaccuum.

You have to remember that there may be some people who will want to scoop up numerous things such as cooking utensils, kitchen towels and smaller items to create a larger gift all together. There are also those that like to go in on a more expensive gift with another person or two.

I would add more, personally. Especially if you have a lot of more inexpensive items.

Cost is an important factor. That lovely calphalon pan or knife set will probably not come with three other gifts...but perhaps the little kitchen items like spatulas/whisks/thermometers/etc might come together if they are in the $5-15$ range (or whatever your lowest end items are)

Usually most people set a gift budget and if they find a gift $10 under they'll buy something smaller. I like giving kitchen gift baskets if I can and get similar items together. I wouldn't just give one spatula and spoon set. We received a nice corningware set (medium price) from a coworker along with a salt and pepper shaker set (smaller price).

I'm also a fan of registering for what you want/need. If there are 100 items that doesn't seem like a lot to me...we are combining two apartments and don't need plates/glasses/silverware or a lot of linens but we still had 90 items on our registry.

Thanks ladies that helps! Right now we've picked out the main items, like dinnerware and serving pieces, and some bigger ticket items. I guess for the less expensive stuff, that makes sense to have more of those.

I didn't even really think about that. i just registered for everything that we needed which was a lot since we were both living separately right before we got married. i got so many gifts and a couple of people did get me something for my bridal shower AND for the wedding as well. i would say that i got most of the items that i registered for and that was A LOT. also some people bought things that i didn't register for and we got a lot of money as well.

i got married this past saturday and i am still getting gifts in the mail which is crazy to me! i also got a lot of gift cards for the places that i registered for so i'm waiting a little bit until all the gifts die down and then i'm going to go and buy the things that i didn't get.

Has anyone used the registry that WW offers?? I am afraid to ask for somethings because people are tight with their money now days. I only have 50 things on ours.

Thanks Sara for asking the questions that are concerning to me too!! Everyone had great info, too.

We registered for about 300 items... Bare in mind we have NOTHING but big furniture.

Also we have about 180 people.

We're kind of half expecting most will be filled, simply because from where I am, the church I go to throws massive bridal showers for all of us "young-ins", its a really nice thing they do, and all of the older church ladies spend like 10-20 bucks, which covers most if not all of the little ticket items.

(mainly I think they just love to socialize up here in the north HAHA... anything wedding related they hop on like no tomorrow)

Just because you register for it doesn't mean they will get it for you, so don't be afraid to ask for things. If they cannot afford something, they will move along and purchase what they can afford, or a gift card. Some people (friends) may all chip in to get a big ticket item.

Also, after you wedding, most places give you a discount (10% or 20% off) when you buy remaining items off the registry.

Just register for what you want. Don't register for things just to register for them... even though the registry people may pressure you to.

I would register for exactly what you need/want. If your registry is all purchased, people will give you gift cards. I also have started a new online registry section on my website for items like flutes, ring holders, frames, china sets, alot of different home items, wedding day accessories and much more. If you are interested in hearing more, feel free to message/email me! There are many other items that you may need for your wedding day that you can even register for.

Register for anything you want/need. Just make sure there's plenty to choose from. Don't focus so much on the number. We registered at 2 locations for a total of 275 items. We received about 40 gifts and about 30 cards with cash/checks/giftcards in them. We only had 100 guests so it worked out. Plus, anything you don't get from your registry, you usually wil get a coupon for a 10-20% discount off of in case you want to purchase the items yourself. The registry should be one of the least stressful things here.

Ah, I wasn't thinking about the completion discount! Now I'm gonna go register for everrrrything!

@Futuremrsw....You have just given me a new idea to offer my brides for the registry!! Thanks =)

I would double your number to be honest, especially if you will have kitchen tools. We also are doing one of those honeymoon funds, but that included household items (paint, moving boxes)

Good Luck

I registered for about 80 things between two places. Our guest list was 250. Between the shower and the wedding we received about 75%.

According to our BBB online registry, for 40 people, we only have registered enough for 70% of our wedding guests.

I used some charts to get an idea of shower and wedding gifts combined, for less than 50 guests (roughly 20 households). We registered for about 70 gifts for 20 household. It seems like a bit much, but about 50% of what we registered for is $10-$15 item. A lot of this I presume would be shower gifts. People may choose to buy two or more things at once if they're $10 each, such as all of the dish towels in one set.

I'm also trying to register for a wide variety of items at different price points to accommodate all budgets. More options can't hurt! I just wouldn't go overboard to the point that it looks gift-grabby.

You need at least 150. Factor in a bridal shower thrown by your bridesmaids or a close family friend, then showers thrown by his family and an office shower. Plus your wedding itself. You can always add to it but you need to start with 1-2 per guest. I would literally go with per guest because you may register for lots of little things (like measuring cups/spoons, spatulas, etc) and some people do a gift basket of a lot of little items. So keep that in mind!

Ok so here is my down low on registries as i just did it! First disclaimer, i have ONLY sent out save the dates and gifts are alreafy being purchased off my registry. I tried to split mine evenly. I have about 130 items in all price points, and i have a list of thinga i want (not need) when ot gets low to add

Not that we really NEED anything because o have owned the house we live in and all of its contents forever! I have been out of my parents since i was 18 so i have more then what i need. I HIGHLY suggest registering at Myregistry.com

Here is why i suggest this. 1. Most people are twch savy 2. For those who are not tech savy they are linked to hundreds of stores so u can register in stores for your not twch savy people and it all goes right back to myregistry for u to see and evem gives u who purchased what as long as they input it.

And the best part about myregistry is u can then register at places that dont have registries in my case amazon and home depot! Like i said the only thing we "need" is our 2 garages to be furnished! Lol also you can mark your favorites on thisnsite which also helps people out.

Added bonus the sight is free and you still get the same deals of discounts at stores u have registries at

Now back to price points. You have a general idea of what people spend or your mom probably does. For instance in my family i am almost guranteed my aunt and uncle will go over board, my moms high school gfs will chip in for a big one. So i made a point to put about 10 gifts from 250-350 that i really really wanted. (2 where alreadt purchased)

We also know his aunts dont have a lot of income and we dont even want a gift but they chipped in 20 ea for an 80 dolla gift. So it will be all over the place!

Then i did about 40 items that ranged from 10-50 another 40 that ranged from 50-100 and so on. As of now and keep in mind 0 invites have been sent out. We have had a 70, 90, 130, and 350 gift purchased! No one is buying my little stuff which is a bummer! Lol

More food for thought dont listen to the stores. I refuse to register for dishes, instead I registered for plastic folding tables and chairs since we entertain constantly so dont forget about the off skelter stuff it is totally fine! People actually have been getting a kick out of our registry because very few things are "normal" for christs sakes i let my fiance register for a super expensive fishing pole cuz i wont let him waste money on it!