Just engaged — what to buy now, what to wait on.
There's a strong urge to buy everything wedding-related on day one. Don't. Here's the short list of what's actually useful pre-wedding, and what to put on the registry instead.
Buy now
Ring cleaner (you'll wear it daily and it gets gross fast). Ring dish for the bathroom. A wedding-planning notebook or app subscription. Date-night journal. Photo printer (if you want pre-wedding photos for the venue or invitations).
Put on the registry, not your card
Cookware sets. KitchenAid. Knife sets. China. Linens. Glassware. Travel gear. Anything for the home that costs more than $100 — it belongs on the registry, not your credit card.
Wait on
Honeymoon-specific gear (book first, buy gear when you know the destination). Wedding-day specific items (often included by the venue or planner). Anniversary gifts (year 1 traditional gift varies; just wait).
Frequently asked questions
When do I open a registry?+
Within 60-90 days of the wedding. Earlier than that and people don't know it exists; later and they panic-buy off-list.
Best registry platforms?+
Zola for flexibility, Amazon for breadth, Target for affordability. Pick two.
Want a registry strategy?
Tell us your wedding budget and current household state.