30 Kitchen Items You Need To Add To Your Wedding Registry
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Congratulations — you're getting married! Or you're reading this because someone important to you is getting married, which is equally celebratory.
One of the most exciting stages in planning and preparing for your upcoming big day is deciding what to put on your wedding gift registry. This registry serves as an opportunity for your guests and loved ones to shower you with items that will, hopefully, make the next stage of your life as a couple much easier. Of course, you can create registries for your home or honeymoon, too — but the kitchen is one of the most common go-to registries for couples.
When considering items to put on your registry, assess what you already have in your home and what you may want to upgrade. You should also make a list with small items like cups and kitchen tools and big things like appliances and machines to accommodate all gifting price points. Here are some essential items we recommend adding to your wedding gift registry to start your new chapter on the right foot.
Immersion blender
There are plenty of uses for an immersion blender in the kitchen, including making creamy tomato soup, mixing batters, making homemade mayonnaise, and even crafting your own homemade whipped cream. Although it may be unlikely for you to use your immersion blender every day, it is a vital tool in the kitchen when you need it.
Our picks: KitchenAid Cordless Variable Speed Hand Blender ($99.95) and Cuisinart RHB-100 EvolutionX Cordless Rechargeable Hand Blender ($79.95)
Knife block set
Everyone has a few random kitchen knives in their drawer, which can come at a detriment when you need a particular knife within reach. A knife block set is an aesthetic way to keep your kitchen organized and stock up on every type of knife an amateur chef may need. Our best knife brand recommendation is the German Wüsthof. These knives are very high quality and will likely outlast several generations of use.
Our picks: Wüsthof Classic 9-Piece Knife Block Set ($595) and Ninja Foodi NeverDull Premium Knife System ($230.99)
High-quality blender
Your wedding registry is the perfect place to ask for a blender that you would never spend over $300 on yourself. While you can opt for a cheap blender option, we recommend purchasing a powerful blender that will last several years (or possibly decades) in your kitchen. One of the best blender brands you can buy is a Vitamix; it can easily cut through ice, nuts, and flour and undergo daily use with protein shakes or smoothies.
Our pick: Vitamix Explorian Blender ($349.95)
Wooden cutting boards
You'll use cutting boards daily, so why not ask for a few nice ones that you can use daily — or save for a unique serving occasion? A butcher block cutting board can also double as a cheese board for celebrations and dinner parties with your new partner. We recommend purchasing a cutting board with grooves to capture juices and one with easy handles for carrying around.
Our pick: Allsum Bamboo Wood Cutting Board ($25.99)
Espresso machine
All marriages deserve a little bit of a pick-me-up — in the form of espresso, of course. Espresso machines can save you money in the long term, especially if you frequent local coffee shops too often. The Breville is our favorite espresso machine brand for its durability, functionality, and user-friendliness. However, if you're looking for a more compact machine (perfect for small first homes), we recommend the wirsh.
Our picks: Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine ($749.95) and wirsh Espresso Machine ($199.99)
Braising dish
You'll need a heavy-duty braising pan for your kitchen if you frequently make braised meats, like delicious braised short ribs. The shape of this kitchen tool is perfect for browning meats and bringing your food from the kitchen to the table. Enameled cast iron is easy to clean and will last many years if kept in good condition.
Our picks: Staub Cast Iron 3.5-Quart Braiser ($349.95) and Crock Pot Artisan Enameled Cast Iron Braiser with Lid ($99.99)
Food storage bundle
One of the very visceral parts of being a bachelor is storing your food in old takeout containers and airtight plastic bags. But now that you've stepped into the next stage of your life, you should probably upgrade your food storage technique with a complete food storage set. It will keep your kitchen cabinets organized and make you feel a little more like an adult.
Our pick: 34-piece Food Storage Containers Set With Airtight Lids ($29.99)
Complete cookware set
You can't cook with your new partner if you don't have any cookware! So while you may have had pots and pans from the local thrift store or ones you inherited from family, it's time to get your own complete set. One of our favorite cookware brands is Caraway. Its products are made from smooth, lightweight, and non-stick ceramic. Plus, each of the brand's cookware products is designed for organization; the set comes with a magnetic lid holder and rack to help you store the collection.
Our pick: 12-Piece Caraway Nonstick Ceramic Cookware Set ($445)
Dutch oven
Dutch ovens are photo-worthy kitchen tools that will outlast almost anything. Not only are these pots beautiful to look at, but they are also helpful in preparing stocks, broths, soups, bread, or really anything that can fit into it. While Le Creuset is one of the hallmark brands of the Dutch oven, we are also fans of the budget-friendly Lodge enameled Dutch oven.
Our picks: Lodge Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven, 6-Quart ($79.90) and Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Round Dutch Oven, 5.5-Quart ($399.99)
Enameled baking dish
A baking dish is one of the baking and serving tools any home cook needs to have in their kitchen. The aluminum baking pans have their time and place — they're lightweight and can heat up quicker than a thicker, heavier pan. But can you serve your lasagna in a cheap aluminum pan? Probably not. We recommend always having at least one big baking pan for cooking and serving at your disposal.
Our pick: Staub Ceramics Rectangular Baking Dish Set ($49.95)
Stand mixer
Only add a stand mixer to your wedding registry if you didn't inherit a KitchenAid from your parents or grandparents. The stand mixer is a kitchen essential because of how easily it can whip up meringues, cake batter, and cookie dough. You can even request attachments for pasta making and meat grinding. Our favorite stand mixer brand is KitchenAid. It's ergonomically designed to maximize mixing power, and the 10-speed functionality will let you mix to your heart's desire.
Our pick: KitchenAid Artisan Tilt-Head Stand Mixer With Pouring Shield, 5-Quart ($449.95)
Cake stand
If you plan on entertaining guests as a married couple, you must have a few tools in your arsenal. First, we recommend adding a cake stand to your registry. You can use it for its traditional use (cake) or as an elevated surface for your dining table. When adding one of these to your wedding registry, look through and find the aesthetic and material you want. You can purchase a glass, ceramic, or wooden stand in varying sizes. After all, where else will you put the rest of your wedding cake?
Our pick: Acacia Wood Cake Stand With Clear Acrylic Dome Cover ($44.99)
Toaster
Toasters are the kitchen tool you don't consider purchasing until you want to toast a bagel and come up empty-handed. You can buy toasters with two-slice or four-slice options and options for defrosting or designated bagel settings. You may only use this appliance a few times a week, but no device produces the same result.
Our picks: REDMOND Toaster 4 Slice, Retro Stainless Steel Toaster With Extra Wide Slots ($74.99) and Amazon Basics 2 Slice, Extra-Wide Slot Toaster With 6 Shade Settings ($29.95)
Glass measuring cups
A glass measuring cup is an essential kitchen tool for bakers and savory cooking. The glass measuring cups are tempered to withstand the temperature of hot liquid or your microwave, thus making them an essential item to have. We recommend purchasing a set of these measuring cups so you'll always have one handy if another is in the dishwasher or the sink.
Our pick: Pyrex 3 Piece Glass Measuring Cup Set ($25.99)
Cast iron skillet
Cast iron skillets have many uses, including getting the perfect sear on your steak, baking deep-dish pizza, and toasting spices. And while you may think to purchase the most expensive one you can find, there are a lot of budget-friendly cast iron skillets that won't force your wedding guests to fork over hundreds of dollars. Be sure to note whether the cast iron skillet you're adding to your list is pre-seasoned or unseasoned, the latter of which will require more effort before use.
Our pick: Lodge 10-¼-Inch Pre-Seasoned Skillet ($34.25)
Flatware set
If you plan to entertain as a new couple, you should have a flatware set that serves at least 12 people. Your registry is the perfect place to splurge on a new set of flatware; we recommend trying them in person (if you can) to see if you can find a texture and weight that you love. You also have the option to purchase a standard flatware set for regular use and entertaining or two separate sets.
Our picks: Lenox Portola 65-Piece Flatware Set ($189.95) and DANIALLI 60 Piece Silverware Set for 12 ($235.29)
Food processor
Your food processor can help you make pie crusts and cauliflower rice, and grate your veggies in seconds. It's one of those kitchen tools where you swear by it if you own one, and dream of having one if you don't. We recommend going big with your food processor and choosing one with a 14-cup capacity; it will save you a lot of time not having to process things in small batches.
Our picks: Cuisinart 14 Cup Food Processor ($249.95) and BLACK+DECKER 8-Cup Food Processor ($41.52)
Dish set
Having a dish set that you can use for entertaining and daily use will save you a lot of space. Many couples choose to register neutral-colored dishware to their registry in the chance that their style or preferences change a few years down the line. When adding dishware to your registry, consider the color palate of your serving dishes and how many sets you need.
Our picks: Gibson Elite Terranea Round Reactive Glaze Terra Cotta Dinnerware Set, Service for Four ($59.99)
Wine glasses
Wine glasses are one of the things that you can't have enough of in your kitchen. We recommend always ordering a set of 12 in case your dishwasher decides to break a few of them before you host your first dinner as a married couple. If you want to take up less space in your cabinets, try to purchase glasses that can be used for both red and white wine, and stick to a basic, traditional shape where you can buy more if one or two of the glasses break.
Our pick: UMI UMIZILI Wine Glasses ($29.99)
Instant-read thermometer
The last thing you'd want as a married couple is to have your first dinner together lead to food poisoning. An instant-read thermometer can tell you when food is finished cooking, thus making it one of the essential kitchen tools to have on hand. These thermometers are also all priced inexpensively, which is a good "add-on" gift for your registry to complement another purchase.
Our pick: Digital Meat Thermometer, Waterproof Instant Read Food Thermometer for Cooking and Grilling ($18.99)
Nested mixing bowls
Baking is a great way to show someone you love them. But you can only bake something by hand if you have suitable bowls to work with! So we recommend adding a set of nested bowls to your registry — they're great for storage and different-sized batches. Aluminum bowls are a lightweight option for the kitchen, but we recommend buying the more "adult" ceramic bowls because you can also use them for serving.
Our pick: DOWAN Vibrant Mixing Bowls ($39.99)
Sheet pans
Sheet pans — because how else will you roast veggies and bake cookies as a newlywed? Sheet pans are a relatively cheap item to add to your registry and are invaluable to have for cooking and baking. Before adding this item to your list, consider how big of a sheet pan you will need. Adding a set to your registry is an easy way to have a quarter, half, and full sheet at your disposal.
Our pick: Nordic Ware 3 Piece Baker's Delight Set ($51.80)
Rice cooker
If you are a couple who loves bonding over a sushi date or making stir fry, splurging on a rice cooker may be a good option. Besides the fact making rice in a pot on the stove is tedious, adding a rice cooker to your appliance lineup can ensure that your house is always stocked with fresh rice for meal prepping, grain bowls, and easy weeknight dinners. We love our Zojirushi rice cooker because of its ease of use and multiple settings for different kinds of rice.
Our picks: Zojirushi 5½-Cup (Uncooked) Micom Rice Cooker and Warmer ($232.50) and Aroma Housewares Digital Cool-Touch Rice Grain Cooker and Food Steamer ($39.99)
Pepper mill
A pepper mill seems like a superfluous addition to a wedding registry, but it is a great tool to have in your kitchen. You can change the setting on the mill to coarse, medium, or finely grind your pepper and refill it with your favorite peppercorns. Plus, nothing might be more impressive than whipping out a pepper grinder at every dinner party you host as a married couple.
Our picks: Olde Thompson 13-Inch Liberty Wood Pepper Mill ($29.99) and Gulex 8-inch Wood Pepper Grinder Pepper Mill ($14.99)
Air fryer
Air fryers retain their utility after you exit the bachelor stage of your life. This appliance is one of the most useful for quick weeknight meals or reheating leftover chicken tenders and fries. You can also use your air-fryer to prepare roasted veggies with minimal oil, which is perfect for the busy couple that doesn't have time to stand over the stove. It's the incarnated mantra of "set it and forget it."
Our pick: Ninja Air Fryer, 4-quart Capacity ($129.99)
Set of rubber spatulas
Any baker can tell you the importance of a sturdy silicon spatula. But you can also use this tool to scrape out the inside of food cans and jars and cook a romantic breakfast with your new partner. We recommend purchasing a set of spatulas in varying sizes so that you'll always have the perfect-sized one available. The silicon spatulas are also easy to clean and dishwasher-safe.
Out pick: NileHome Silicone Spatula Set 6 Pieces ($9.99)
Kitchen tongs
Flip, serve, and prep with kitchen tongs. The type of kitchen tongs you add to your registry will depend on what kind of cooking you do. If you like to grill often, add longer barbecue tongs. If you plan on hosting summer dinner parties, consider adding wooden salad tongs. For all-purpose cooking, we recommend adding a pair of utility tongs to your registry; you can use the stainless steel ones for both food prep and serving.
Our pick: ChefAide Set of 2 Cooking Tongs ($32.99)
Serving bowls
One of the big decisions you need to make as a couple is if you're going to be the household hosting large celebratory meals like Thanksgiving. If you are, you should have a couple of serving bowls in your pantry for all of your favorite side dishes. We recommend purchasing dishwasher-safe and durable ones to ensure that you will have them for years to come.
Our picks: Annovero Serving Bowl, Set of 3 ($59.99) and Mora Ceramic Large Serving Bowls, Set of 2 Oval Platters for Entertaining ($34.99)
Kitchen towels
Kitchen towels may seem like a small item, but they can make a big difference in your kitchen. Your wedding registry is an opportunity to splurge on the kitchen towels that you may feel are "too nice" to have hanging on your stove handle — if there ever was such a thing. You can add various colors and materials to your registry; we're big fans of the classic, trendy striped design and oversized shape towels. You can also use them as fancy napkins if you need to.
Our pick: Urban Villa Kitchen Towels, Set of 6 ($39.99)
Bakeware set
Although the last thing you may be thinking about after eating your wedding cake is to bake something else, having a bakeware set is always a good option when the craving strikes. We recommend purchasing heavy-duty, quality-made bakeware that will last you and your spouse many years of happy marriage.
Our picks: Caraway Non-Stick Bakeware Set (11-Pieces) ($445) and Calphalon Nonstick Bakeware Set, 10-Piece Set ($131.99)
All prices listed are at the time of publication.