The Latest Trends in Wedding Registries for 2022

After an unconventional few years, most people are ready for a return to normal in 2022. With more weddings predicted than ever, couples are encouraged to start planning as soon as possible. Once you have selected a venue and vendors, the next exciting task is creating your wedding registry.

While you might have seen couples scanning items in a department store like in movies, the digital age has made browsing online much more accessible. Additionally, couples today may prefer products and experiences that reflect their life stage rather than traditional household items. Experts predict the following wedding registry trends for 2022:

Honeymoon Funds

When two people move in together, they often have a lot of duplicates that make registering for household items feel unnecessary. Instead, Kirsten Bulock, Chief Operating Officer at MarriedinVegas suggests couples opt for an enjoyable experience that they can share, like a honeymoon fund. This trend has been popular for years, but the pandemic has made couples even more eager to travel. Bulock notes that a honeymoon fund doesn’t have to be for a far-off island, but could be a chance to celebrate your connection in an intimate setting.

Newlywed Experiences

Keeping the newlywed feeling alive doesn’t have to end after the honeymoon stage. Couples can register for experiences that allow them to connect and learn more about each other, such as cooking courses, dance classes, photography sessions, or even couples massages. Such experiences can bring a couple closer together in ways that receiving material gifts cannot.

Realistic Needs

As the average age of first marriage continues to rise, many couples prefer customizing their registry rather than selecting typical linens and pots and pans. Nora Sheils, founder of Bridal Bliss and co-founder of Rock Paper Coin, says couples are getting creative with their ideas, registering for funds towards a down payment or for wine, for example. She emphasizes there is no “rule” for a registry and that couples should focus on items that enrich their lives in marriage.

Outdoor Gear

With so much time spent indoors over the last few years, couples will be registering for items they can use together outdoors, predicts Bri Marbais, founder of The Bridal Finery. For example, the outdoorsy couple might choose to add hammocks, bistro lighting, fire pits, and cornhole boards to their registry.

Local Goods and Services

The pandemic has made us all more aware of our local communities, leading many couples to make investments in small businesses instead of big-box stores. When creating a registry, Marbais says couples will be conscious of which platform they choose to promote local businesses.

Budget-Minded Items

Many people lost their jobs or faced financial setbacks during the pandemic, leading couples to keep their budget in mind when registering for wedding items. Marbais notes that freshly-weds are more focused on realistic needs over wants, prioritizing having loved ones share in their celebration instead of having the fanciest items on their registry.

Registries That Give Back

An increasing number of couples would rather make an impact than focus solely on themselves. Lifestyle blogger Elise Armitage suggests incorporating registries that prioritize giving back to charitable causes, either by selecting specific organizations or allowing guests to choose on their own. Armitage notes that platforms exist to help couples set up donations and events, taking some of the stress out of wedding planning.