What/when for wedding registry

We created ours about a year out. We put it on our website so it became public when we sent save the dates (which was actually only a couple weeks after because we're having a "destination wedding" where everyone has to travel).

We did a lot of upgrades (so better pots and pans, bedding, towels, dishes), some special cookware (KitchenAid, pressure cooker, etc.). We also did a fun thing with our Target registry where we put a bunch of fun board/card games on there. Those tend to be lower cost and we know our college friends (some who are still in college) will love the price plus the idea of getting new games for game night!

I definitely say to have a mix of practical and fun. You want to enjoy the items on your registry. Your friends and family want to get you stuff you will use and enjoy. So if you don't think you'll use a crockpot, don't put one on there. We went into the store for our Bed Bath and Beyond registry and the employee was great at explaining everything. Plus to use the little registry gun was a lot of fun!

I started our registry 6+ months in advance because I was impatient lol and from what my mom told me we would have people sending us stuff as soon as they got their STD. However we are now 2 months out and not a single gift has been purchased and its been a couple weeks since we sent the invites. So hopefully we will start to see some come in. Anyways, heres a bit of what we put on ours. We put a lot of upgrades since most of our stuff was donated from family when we moved in together or stuff from college thats all breaking now lol. (Target and IKEA registries)

*fyi this is not a template of what you have to have, just a snapshot of what worked for us!

-Kitchen Stuff:

Nice silverware 2-3 sets, Plates/Bowls sets: 3 sets, Drinking glasses: 1-3 sets (margarita, cocktail etc, normal glasses) Cooking/Baking tools: KitchenAid, food processor, blender, different utensils etc

-Bedroom Stuff

New bedding, Sheets 1-3 sets, Blankets, Upgraded Furniture-dressers (IKEA)

-Living Room/Bathroom

Towels 3-4 each kind, Side Tables, Reading Chair, Bookshelves

-Outside/Camping

Tent, supplies, sleeping bag, camp chair, porch seat set

-Office/Game Room

Tables, shelving, drawers

Hope that helped a bit!

First take inventory of what you already have and plan to move to the new place. I'm only saying this because I have a lot of family that are planning to give us old stuff like plates, china, crockpots, shelves, etc. because they know we're trying to save money for a down payment for a home. In addition, I'm a little frugal so there are some things I know I'd rather get used/thrifted/on offerup/on Black Friday that I don't want others to get for us.

There's definitely room for creativity for what to put on the registry. I've looked at articles for gift suggestions for people who have a certain interest (ex. "gift ideas for book lovers that aren't books) for myself and have found some inspiration for things I'd like. It depends on common interests that you and your fiance share.

Random note: my fiance was big on adding things on our registry that are also good for guests to have when they visit our place, like blankets.