How to Create a Registry if You Already Live Together

TLDR:

• Beyond wondering what to put on a wedding registry if you already live together, you may be curious about IF you should even do one. Zola experts say yes!
• Guests will still want to buy you gifts, and you can also register for items for your home that suit both of your tastes.
• Items from experiences and gift cards to photo albums and cash funds are great ideas.

Now, let's chat about what to put on your registry if you're already living together

Older generations stocked their hope chests with items ready for their wedding day, after which partners would move in together and begin their new life. However, today, families look different. Couples live together, have second marriages, and even blend families, which is all ok! If you find yourself in a situation where you are already living together, you might be wondering if a wedding registry is appropriate. To which, we here at Zola say—absolutely!

Many couples live together for years before tying the knot. This means many of you already have tons of dishes, several sets of bedding, all the kitchen appliances you need, and rooms full of lovely décor. But if from where you sit (in your fully stocked home) you think you don’t need a wedding registry, think again.

5 Types of registry gifts for couples who already live together

When it comes to building a wedding registry for couples that already live together, there are four types of gifts you should focus on:

1. Everyday-item upgrades
2. Memorable pieces to collect
3. Unique experiences and gift cards
4. Cash funds for future expenses
5. Charitable donations

Stay tuned for Zola's best ideas in each of the above categories.

What to put on a wedding registry if you already live together

Based on the five registry gift categories above, here are some of our top suggestions for what couples should put on their wedding registry if they already live together:

Everyday-item upgrades

1. Le Creuset cookware

Even if you have everyday pots and pans, you should register for a few pieces of Le Creuset cast iron cookware. These items are simple, beautiful, high-quality, and will last you a lifetime. Upgrade by registering for a classic Dutch oven or a few baking dishes and donate any old cookware that’s scratched or stained.

Why our couples love Le Creuset: The pots and pans (and many other items) produced by Le Creuset last a lifetime. It's truly a one and done purchase.

2. Prep bowls

Start off your life as newlyweds by decluttering your home: throw out all of those mismatched plastic bowls you have lying around and register for Duralex’s Lys Nesting Prep/Mixing Bowls. Whether you’re making a salad, beating eggs, or need something to hold a dipping sauce, these are versatile and classic.

Why our couples love glass prep bowls: Not only are these bowls perfect for measuring out ingredients in addition to mixing. In a pinch, they are also ideal for serving. Chips and salsa, anyone?

3. Fancy wine glasses

Think practical. Wine glasses are something you probably use often, and you can never have enough of these for when you host parties. Get beautiful white, red, and champagne glasses that all match with Schott Zwiesel’s Forte Collection.

Why our couples love glass prep bowls: Whether a casual wine drinker or a connoisseur, these glasses are a hit. They're reinforced at both ends of the stem and rim to ensure that they endure—just like your love.

4. Chef-worthy pans

If you cook at home regularly, do yourself a favor and upgrade your cooking experience with a set of premium pots and pans. This Nouvelle Copper 10-Piece Cookware Set from Anolon not only looks attractive, but cooks foods quickly and evenly thanks to its stainless steel and copper construction.

Why our couples love copper pots and pans: The outside of this cookware has a brushed finish. Although scratches are inevitable, the finish does a great job at hiding them.

5. Linen sheets

How many hours of your life do you spend in your bed? We aren’t going to do the math, but we know it’s a lot. Improve your sleeping environment with a light and airy Linen 4-Piece Sheet Set from Parachute, which is made from 100% Portuguese linen that will only improve with time.

Why our couples love linen sheets: Couples sleep at different temperatures, but airy, natural fabric sheets have a cozy, cooling effect. Perfect for newlyweds!

Memorable pieces to collect

1. Classic china

Registering for china is a classic wedding tradition. You might have cups and plates in your home, but owning a set of beautiful, special occasion china from your wedding is something you will cherish forever. We love Wedgwood’s Arris 5-Piece Place Setting. These plates and bowls are detailed and ornate as well as clean and timeless, making them a perfect addition to your registry.

Why our couples love classic china: Entertaining is making a big comeback, which many don't already have a set. A wedding registry is the perfect opportunity to stock up on beautiful pieces.

2. Custom wedding photo albums

Your gorgeous new wedding photos deserve a home as beautiful and enduring as they are. Register for your own Zola wedding album with customizable options from thick, luxe paper to beautiful foils, linens, leathers, and more. And we can't forget this Float Frame for displaying one of your favorite shots from the day.

Why our couples love surrounding themselves with photos: From a coffee table wedding album to a favorite photo displayed in a frame, what's not to love? Zola's couples love putting their big day on display.

3. KitchenAid stand mixer

One of the most popular wedding gifts on Zola for good reason, the KitchenAid stand mixer has stood the test of time as a high-end appliance that looks gorgeous on your countertop and takes care of all your baking needs, forever. Go big with any of our KitchenAid Stand Mixers.

Why our couples love their stand mixers: From daily meals to entertaining at the holidays, nothing gets the job done in a pinch like a KitchenAid. Plus, they're a registry staple!

4. Cut crystal vase

A timeless piece of crystal, especially made by renowned brand Waterford, is a gift you’ll use and treasure forever (and maybe even pass on to future generations). Start your crystal collection off with the Waterford Lismore Bud Vase, which is the elegant, year-round solution for a simple handful of blooms.

Why our couples love crystal vases: Newlyweds love romance, which is often shown in flowers. Plus, fresh blooms create a sense of life and freshness, just like a new marriage will.

5. Artwork

Begin your art collection as a married couple with a print from famous New York photographer Gray Malin. Register for a Gray Malin art gift card to use online at the artist’s website, where you can choose something that speaks to you as a couple, and will always remind you of your newlywed days.

Why our couples love artwork: Zola's couples enjoy infusing unique touches into their wedding days and their lives—even on their walls. Skipping the big box store and having a striking photo on the wall can make a statement.

Experiences and gift card ideas

1. Exercise membership

Need motivation to get in shape before the big day (no pressure from us!)? Try a 12-month running club membership from Virgin. Feel camaraderie and have the power to keep going by joining a group. Having accountability is a big motivator for many.

Why our couples love exercising: The couple that plays together, stays together. So, working out is a great way for Zola's newlyweds to connect and work towards a common goal.

2. Home-cooked meal plan kit

Put those new pots and pans to work in your kitchen with a Blue Apron gift card. You can select a plan that’s perfectly portioned for two people. Let Blue Apron do the recipe hunting, grocery shopping, and ingredient-portioning, so you and your spouse can focus on the fun part: cooking (and eating) together as a new family.

Why our couples love meal kits: Relationship building is essential to Zola couples. Working out together is a great time to unwind, release endorphins, and reconnect.

3. Travel gift cards

Jet off to exotic destinations thanks to your wedding guests, who can buy you gift cards to major airlines like Southwest or Delta in specific cash increments from $100 up to $500. Travel by sea more your thing? Zola’s got gift cards to Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, and Carnival cruise lines as well.

Why our couples love travel cards: Honeymoon fund, anyone? Travel gift cards are a fabulous way to help pay off a big trip or have extra fun while you're there.

4. Airbnb gift cards

You’ll need a comfy home base once you arrive at your destination. Register for Airbnb gift cards (again in specific cash increments) to enjoy a home away from home for your far or near adventures. Or register for gift cards to Hotels.com or Mr & Mrs Smith if rental homes aren’t your style.

Why our couples love a gift card from Airbnb: Airbnb offers unique stays, which make weekend getaways and honeymoons a truly memorable time. Plus a regular stay can turn into a splurge with a gift card.

5. Winc monthly wine club

You’re going to need something to pour into all of those new wine glasses. Register for a 1-, 3-, or 6-month subscription to Winc’s monthly wine club, where you’ll be able to handpick bottles of superb vino from top winemakers to be sent directly to your door.

Why our couples love Winc: It's hard to look forward to getting mail anymore as all that seems to arrive are bills and sales flyers. When wine arrives, it can change around an entire day.

Cash funds

Whether it’s for a general honeymoon fund, specific honeymoon upgrades like a top-end resort or surfing lessons, or any other big-ticket expenses you want to start saving for now, register for cash funds on Zola.

We’ve come up with tons of cash fund ideas—from a home renovation fund to a puppy fund to a fund for ballet tickets—or you can customize your own. Add specific cash increments or allow guests to contribute whatever they wish towards your total goal (you still get to keep however much you’re gifted, even if you don’t hit the total).

Why our couples love cash funds: Save up for the fun stuff with a cash fund. Folks can give a particular amount that suits their needs, which makes Zola couples feel at ease by putting less pressure on their guests.

Charitable donations

For the well-established couple who would rather give back to their communities and their world, there’s nothing classier than asking your guests to make charitable donations to your favorite non-profits and chosen causes in lieu of actual gifts.

We’ve made it easy at Zola to register for donations to GlobalGiving and Charitable Choice, which will direct your guests’ cash gifts towards charities working for an end to world hunger, disease prevention, disaster recovery, and those that help children, education, the environment, human rights, and many other causes.

Why our couples love charitable donations: Some couples are minimalists or truly have everything. Zola's couples who aren't in need of anything love choosing a cause for folks to give a feel-good donation instead of just collecting more stuff in their homes.

Why cohabitating couples still need a wedding registry

1. To create your "together" home

This is your chance to build the home of your dreams together, filled with things that bring you joy—not just the random assortment of stuff you’ve combined from past living quarters. Is your cookware a hodgepodge of scratched pans you used in college? Is your couch a relic from your SO’s first apartment (that’s seen it’s fair share of house parties)?

Your wedding registry is the perfect opportunity to upgrade old, worn, or not particularly special objects with items you two can pick out together—items that match your lifestyle, your interests, and your tastes as a couple.

2. Because guests want to buy you gifts

Your guests will want to buy you gifts to celebrate your big day no matter what, so why not give them a little guidance to ensure you wind up with gifts you actually want?

There’s nothing sweeter than thinking of a favorite loved one when you use his or her wedding gift on a regular basis. Allowing your friends and family to gift you special keepsakes (or luxe upgrades) means you’ll be surrounded by reminders of love and support in your newlywed home.

3. To register for your future

Wedding registries have evolved beyond standard gifts. If you feel as though you already have all the necessities you and your partner could possibly want, register for intangibles to help set up your married life.

At Zola, couples can register for cool experiences (like cooking classes), gift cards for airlines and hotels for use on your honeymoon or other future travel, and cash funds for major expenses like a home down payment or a new car.

Ready to register?

Of course, Zola's expertise lies in wedding registries, so if you haven't taken the plunge yet, we encourage you to do so. Not only will your guests know what to give you, but you can receive everything from small kitchen appliances to the fun stuff (like travel cards!) as wedding gifts. Click below to get started today.