Top Ten Wedding Registry Must-Haves

With the average age of first-time brides at 27 and on the rise (age 29 for men), more couples setting up households well in advance of the wedding, and our lifestyles gravitating to the casual. In the past, picking china patterns was the norm for newly engaged couples. Nowadays, many couples either inherit the china from their parents or don’t use it at all. As our technology and lifestyles have evolved, couples can now create a wish list that includes items that reflect their unique style and preferences.

Here are 10 items you may want to find space for on your own registry

1.  Picture Frames

"You'll want beautiful frames to display your fabulous wedding and honeymoon photos. Don't forget to add a few of your favorites to your registry."

2.  Luggage
"Whether for the honeymoon or for vacations in years to come, a nice set of matching luggage will make any couple feel like they belong together."

3.  BarwareThink outside the glasses, folks. To have a well-stocked bar for entertaining, you’ll need cocktail shakers, pourers, stirrers, pitchers, decanters, an olive pitter, etc.

4.  Gift cards or cashWhen you don’t know for sure what you both want or need, you can always request money to spend at a later date or for the honeymoon.

5.  Slow Cooker
Forget the oven. This counter top cooking tool creates tasty meals without all the manual work. The best feature of many slow cookers is that they automatically switch to warm when they're done cooking (Set it and forget it!)

6  Dishes
A few sets of dishes — at least 8, preferably 12 — in a pattern or color you love are one of the most important things you can register for.

7.  Flatware
Register for silverware! Be smart and pick a really great set that you will both use for years and love.

8.  Yard care stuff 
Uh, yeah. There’s this part of your house called the “outside.” A lawnmower, weed whacker, and leaf blower would really come in handy.

9.  Good Knives
Cutlery is another area where you don't want to skimp. If properly cared for, fine knives will last you a lifetime.

10.  Hobby accessories 
Campers, bikers, hikers, athletes, and other hobby enthusiasts shouldn’t be shy about registering for items they’ll really use.