What to Register for that Makes Your Life Better: 6 Ideas that Leave Kitchen Gadgets in the Dust
- Balm Interiors
- Mar 21, 2024
- 8 min read
Updated: May 30, 2024
You’ve perused William Sonoma with the price scanner in hand, meticulously adding kitchen gadgets and tableware to your registry. Have you considered enriching your registry with things that save time and stress post-honeymoon?
As one half of a couple who ended up keeping only a fraction of the gifts received at our wedding after five years, I'd approach it differently next time. That starts with adding elements to the registry that facilitate a smoother transition, save precious time, and ease the post-honeymoon overwhelm!
Here’s what my Wedding Registry Re-Do would include.
SKIP-TO-SECTION :
What I Would and Wouldn't Thrift
What I would Thrift – I would have thrifted most of our tableware, or bought it from a store like IKEA where the inventory doesn't turn over every season. Plates and cups tend to break, and having a plan to replace them will come in handy! The phrase "don't be precious about it" is what I would live by if re-registering for all the fragile stuff.
I also would have thrifted top line appliances like a Nespresso machine, Kitchen Aide, and Vitamix – these companies insure their products for at least five years from purchase, and all you need is the bar code, no need for the previous owner to have had them registered or saved proof of purchase.
What I wouldn't Thrift – It can be a gamble to thrift appliances from mid-level electronic and kitchen brands, because if they break, you can't return or replace them. So I would avoid those!
Option 1: Add House Cleaning to your wedding registry
Imagine: Instead of coming back to crusty baseboards and dust bunnies, step into your shared space, welcomed by pristine floors and sparkling countertops.
Whether you are moving out, in, or staying where you are – step into your new home as a married couple, and instead of being greeted by dust bunnies and cobwebs, you're welcomed by pristine floors and sparkling countertops.
Adding professional house cleaning services to your registry can ease the stress of move-ins, move-outs, or simply freshening up your space before guests arrive. Let someone else handle the dirty work while you focus on building your new life together.
Honeyfund is a great way to designate gift goals so friends and family can give smaller amounts toward your preferred categories, and wedding registry websites such as Zola allow you link outside to any purchasable item or service.
Option 2: Add Art Duct Cleaning to your wedding registry
Imagine: breathing fresh, clean, allergen-less air and dusting less often
While it may not be the most glamorous addition to your registry, air duct cleaning is a practical investment in your home's air quality and your family's health. Say goodbye to allergens, dust, and musty odors lingering in your vents, and breathe easier knowing that your home is a haven of clean, fresh air.
This is always something I wish I’d done or saved for, and what better time than when all the people in your life line up to give you a gift.
Honeyfund is a great way to designate gift goals so friends and family can give smaller amounts toward your preferred categories, and wedding registry websites such as Zola allow you link outside to any purchasable item or service.
Option 3: Add an Appliance Fund to your Honeyfund
Imagine: Avoiding having to cancel your travel plans to pay for a new appliance when the old one bites the dust...at the worst conceivable time. Your future self will have so many fewer headaches!
Dreaming of a sleek new fridge or need a new dishwasher because the old one is completely rusted? Instead of waiting for it to break, why not add an appliance fund to your registry? Friends and family can contribute towards the purchase of that coveted appliance, making it easier for you to indulge in the luxuries that enhance your everyday life.
Honeyfund is a great way to designate gift goals so friends and family can give smaller amounts toward your preferred categories, and wedding registry websites such as Zola allow you link outside to any purchasable item or service.
Option 4: Add Online Interior Design to your wedding registry
Imagine: Bringing your Pinterest dreams to life without breaking a sweat, and planning a beautiful space that can be easily reconfigured for the move that's in your future.
You've spent hours pinning inspiration for your dream home on Pinterest, but bringing those dreams to life involves thousands of tiny decisions and committing yourself to a degree from YouTube University.
With interior design online services, you can skip the decision fatigue, endless cycle or purchase disappointment, and the dreaded “it just never feels finished.” Bring those Pinterest dreams to life with an interior decorator who gets to know your style and preferences, and is an expert at stretching limited budgets.
From furniture selection to room layouts, these services streamline the design process, ensuring that your home reflects your unique taste as a couple.
If you’re in the Austin area or interested in online interior design, check out Balm Interiors.
Honeyfund is a great way to designate gift goals so friends and family can give smaller amounts toward your preferred categories, and wedding registry websites such as Zola allow you link outside to any purchasable item or service.
Option 5: Ask for a Gym Membership or Dance Classes
Imagine: Stave off the post wedding rut and say moving, growing, exploring together.
They say couples who sweat together, stay together. Inject some fun into your fitness routine by adding a gym membership or dance classes to your registry. Whether you prefer yoga classes, spinning sessions, or weightlifting workouts, a gym membership allows you to prioritize your health and wellness as a couple while bonding over shared goals and achievements.
Honeyfund is a great way to designate gift goals so friends and family can give smaller amounts toward your preferred categories, and wedding registry websites such as Zola allow you link outside to any purchasable item or service.
Option 6: Add Marriage Counseling to Your Honeyfund or Wedding Registry
Imagine: Stay connected (and a breathe a sigh of relief you've got a pro to turn to) when the post-wedding crash becomes a post-wedding fight.
Relationships are hard because being a person is hard, and I wish you all the support you can possibly have in your first year(s)! I 100% would add a Marriage Counseling Fund to my Wedding Registry if I had a Wedding Registry Re-Do.
All amazing couples you'll ever met go to therapy – must be something to it! Marriage is a journey filled with highs and lows, and having a strong foundation is essential for navigating the inevitable challenges that coem up. By including funds for marriage counseling in your registry, you're investing in the health and longevity of your relationship.
Whether it's pre-marital counseling to set the stage for a thriving partnership or couples therapy to work through conflicts together, prioritizing your emotional well-being is a gift that will pay dividends as the pages fly off the calendar of your life together.
Honeyfund is a great way to designate gift goals so friends and family can give smaller amounts toward your preferred categories, and wedding registry websites such as Zola allow you link outside to any purchasable item or service.
Calling all Newlyweds and Soon-To-Be-Mrs. – As you curate your registry with thoughtful consideration, don't forget to explore the possibilities beyond traditional gifts.
If eDesign is on your radar, I invite you to check out my gift certificates or schedule a Discovery Call to see if working together might be worth adding to your wish list.
HI, I'm I'm Kelley Dowling! I love working on spaces for busy millennials navigating major life transitions, without giant budgets. If you don't love your space or location (been there!), let's transform it together into something that you feel proud to call home.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Wedding Registry – what should I register for?
When creating your wedding registry, it's essential to think beyond traditional kitchen gadgets and tableware. Consider adding items that can truly enhance your life as a couple. Some unique additions could include house cleaning services for move-ins, professional organizers to help with unpacking and blending households, air duct cleaning for improved air quality, funds towards appliances or home upgrades, online interior design services to bring your Pinterest dreams to life, gym memberships for shared fitness goals, and even a marriage counseling fund to invest in the longevity of your relationship.
Can I add outside vendors to the knot.com wedding registry?
The Knot does offer the option to add items from outside vendors to your wedding registry. This means you can include services like house cleaning, professional organizing, air duct cleaning, and even gift certificates for online interior design services. Including these outside vendors can provide a unique and personalized touch to your registry, allowing your guests to contribute to experiences and services that will enhance your life as a couple.
Honeyfund – additions to Honeyfund for wedding registry?
While Honeyfund is a popular choice for couples seeking cash gifts or experiences for their wedding registry, there are several alternatives available. Some options include Zola, Blueprint Registry, and MyRegistry, which offer flexibility in adding cash funds, experiences, and traditional gifts all in one place. Additionally, you can explore adding specific services like house cleaning, professional organizing, or even a marriage counseling fund to your registry, providing your guests with a variety of meaningful gift options to choose from.
Unique gifts to add to my wedding registry?
When thinking about unique gifts to add to your wedding registry, consider items that go beyond the typical kitchen appliances and homeware. Some creative additions could include house cleaning services for move-ins or regular upkeep, professional organizers to help with decluttering and organization, air duct cleaning for improved air quality, funds towards a new appliance or home upgrade, online interior design services to bring your vision to life, gym memberships for shared fitness goals, or even a marriage counseling fund to invest in your relationship's health and longevity. These unique gifts not only add practical value to your life as a couple but also reflect your shared interests and priorities.
What should I register for?
When deciding what to register for your wedding, it's essential to consider items that will enhance your life as a couple beyond the wedding day. In addition to traditional gifts like kitchen gadgets and tableware, consider adding unique gifts such as house cleaning services, professional organizers, air duct cleaning, funds for appliances or home upgrades, online interior design services, gym memberships, and even a marriage counseling fund. These additions can help alleviate stress, save time, and invest in the health and longevity of your relationship, creating a registry that reflects your shared goals and priorities as a couple.
Is there a sustainable alternative to a wedding registry?
Yes! Register for services – things that make your life easier, take pressure off those first few months after the wedding, and set you up for an amazing life together. Consider adding unique gifts such as house cleaning services, professional organizers, air duct cleaning, funds for appliances or home upgrades, online interior design services, gym memberships, and even a marriage counseling fund.
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