Last year 1.5 million couples registered for gifts, with 70% saying that they strongly prefer gifts from their registry and 54% of attendees giving just that.

Quite obviously, wedding registries have become an inextricable part of the wedding planning process.

But many engaged couples don’t know how to put together a wedding registry, and mostly leave the job to external factors. Eighty per cent seek their family’s help, with 38% of couples asking their mothers to handle it for them (eeek – can you imagine her choosing your sheets?). Most, if not all, couples only realize what they truly want after  they’ve settled down.

Here are a few examples of what you should include in your registry:

1. Cleaning supplies
Ditch the double boiler and make way for high-powered vacuums, bathroom accessories, and irons.  There are anti-allergen vacuum cleaners in the market that will help “clear out the air”, literally speaking.

2. Organizing items
Where do you put your DVDs? Any idea on how to put your books together?  Have you thought of a storage area for your spouse’s liquor collection? And what about the awful wedding gifts (only joking). You’ll quickly realize how little space you really have. This is what organizing items are for.

3. Chinaware
If you think you have more than enough glassware and dishware than you can handle, think again. In between moving out of the house and holding dinner parties and unfortunate little accidents, the number of chinaware you have, will eventually diminish. Registering for eight sets wouldn’t hurt.

4. Bedding
Ah, the sheets. The single most important fabrics that you have to invest in. Register for different types—from light sheets during the summer to heavy ones for winter.

5. Kitchenware
Although a dependable set of knives can be found on any wedding registry, couples and gift givers rarely give them any priority. Its importance in making your job in the kitchen a lot easier cannot be over-emphasized.

6. Gifts for seasonal use
There are certain gifts you only get to use in summer (a nice barbecue grill, a hammock) and for the winter (Christmas lights and décor), among other occasions. Consider including these gifts – and you’ll always think of who gave them to you as you enjoy using them.

7.  Fun and entertainment
As you tick off every must-have item in the list, don’t forget to add in the cameras, the video games, the Blu-Ray player and even the television set if you wish!

8. Honeymoon
You can make your own honeymoon registry, like 11% of couples have. In fact, several websites offer honeymoon registries to help you put together your dream honeymoon.

9. Wedding costs
Another trend is to let the guests chip in, with the rising costs of putting a wedding together, it’s totally OK to let them chip in for the services of the videographer, photographer, and so on!

10.  Charity
Make this an opportunity to take the focus away from the gifts and help others—by asking them to make charitable donations to various charity wedding registries available online.

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