Photo: Getty Images
Creating a wedding registry is a key part of your planning process. After all, with so many gift-giving occasions of the horizon for you and your groom-to-be, your friends and family will be looking to congratulate you with tokens of their affection to help you build your new life together. Whether you're cohabiting before the engagement or not, your registry is an opportunity to define your style as a couple and to upgrade your home with items that are both meaningful and useful.
To help you register for the types of items you'll use everyday, we asked registry expert Jung Lee to give her top tips for couples to pick items that they can use for years to come rather than tuck away for special occasions.
Think About Your Lifestyle
Jung's first piece of advice is to think about your everyday routine and select items that fit your lifestyle. "If you tend to order in sushi every week, rather than eating out of the plastic containers they come in, get a beautiful sushi board. It's quick and easy to place the sushi on this, and it simply elevates the experience of sitting down to dinner and savoring the moment together," Jung says.
See More: 3 Things to Remember When Decorating Your First Home
Go for Multi-Purpose Items
According to Jung, every item you register for should serve multiple purposes. "When something can be used in many different ways, it becomes more valuable to you. Don't clutter your life with too many items; instead enhance it by thinking about how you can use an item in many different ways," Jung says. Another tip? Think outside of the box and lean on a great registry service if you're feeling overwhelmed. They'll help you see beyond any products intended purpose.
Say Yes to Beautiful China
Jung admits you do need to be careful when using delicate dinnerware and glassware, but she firmly believes that you should enjoy it daily. "These items are with you for life. They'll go the distance so the more you use them, the more embedded they come in your everyday life," Jung says. "And, I promise, you'll love them even more!"
Remember These Five Things
There are five things Jung recommends all couples get: beautiful china, quality flatware, beautiful crystal stemware, a gorgeous picture frame for a wedding portrait, and a unique item that testifies to your joint style as a couple.