Wedding Registry Ideas for When You Already Have a Well-Equipped Kitchen

Get registry ideas from a real couple who chose items that would elevate the home they were building together.

Though their kitchen was already well-equipped with pieces, this couple registered for items that would elevate their home from Bloomingdale's, Crate and Barrel, Gearys, Hudson Grace, and Pottery Barn. Get ideas from their wish list!

By Nicole Palacios

Photo: Adriana Klas Photography

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When it came time to build their wedding registry, Brooke (née Badger) and Ciarán McAlinden, who got married in Pebble Beach, weren’t starting from scratch, but rather, thoughtfully upgrading and blending their lives together. “Our kitchen was already well equipped,” the bride shares, “but we wanted to elevate what we had for the home we were building together – things like new cookware, bedding, and entertaining pieces.”

Fortunately, Brooke wasn’t doing it alone. Her mom – who also happened to be their professional wedding planner – was happy to guide the affianced pair. “She’s helped so many brides and had the big-picture vision. I benefited from all of it,” Brooke says. The couple then approached the registry process with a long-term lens, thinking not just about now, but also about future holidays, gatherings, and the kind of home they hoped to create together.

Brooke Badger and Ciaran McAlinden Engagement Photo wish list wedding registry ideas

Photo by Adriana Klas Photography

They registered at Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Bloomingdale’s, Gearys, and Hudson Grace. Each had a specific purpose: Bloomingdale’s and Gearys for their formal china, silver, and crystal – retailers where dedicated advisors make the process as enjoyable as it is elegant.

“Our kitchen was already well equipped, but we wanted to elevate what we had for the home we were building together – things like new cookware, bedding, and entertaining pieces.”

Wedgwood Wonderlust
Waterlily three-tier cake stand Bloomingdale’s wedding registry ideas
“Wonderlust Waterlily” three-tier cake stand, $255 by Wedgwood; Bloomingdale's

Amalfi ceramic serving platter with handles Hudson Grace wedding registry ideas
“Amalfi” ceramic serving platter with handles, $148; Hudson Grace

Light horn salad server set Hudson Grace wedding registry ideas
Light horn salad server set, $95; Hudson Grace

Light woven salad bowl Williams Sonoma wedding registry ideas
Light woven salad bowl, $180; Williams Sonoma

Juliska Provence rattan rectangular tray Bloomingdale’s wedding registry ideas
“Provence” rattan rectangular tray, $250 by Juliska; Bloomingdale's

Hammered handcrafted
drinking glasses Pottery Barn wedding registry ideas
Hammered handcrafted drinking glasses, $48 (set of four); Pottery Barn

heirloom silver beverage bucket champagne bucket Williams Sonoma wedding registry ideas
Silver champagne bucket, $200; Williams Sonoma

Herend Gwendolyn dinner plate Gearys wedding registry ideas
“Gwendolyn” dinner plate, $130 by Herend; Gearys Beverly Hills

Wedgwood Hibiscus sugar bowl Bloomingdale’s wedding registry ideas
“Hibiscus” sugar bowl, $180 by Wedgwood; Bloomingdale's

Waterford Lismore 6 inch candlesticks set of two Bloomingdale’s wedding registry ideas
Lismore 6” candlesticks, $270 (set of two) by Waterford; Bloomingdale's

“Diana at Bloomingdale’s San Francisco spent hours with us mixing and matching until it felt just right. Gearys helped us find those harder-to-locate pieces that completed our set,” illustrates Brooke of their experience. Though Brooke had already begun collecting silver pieces over the years, successfully completing a set of 12, she was delighted to add additional heirloom pieces that would grace many future gatherings.

Pottery Barn offered the perfect range of cozy essentials – bedding, towels, and glassware at a variety of price points for guests. Meanwhile, Hudson Grace brought a timeless, chic touch for entertaining. “Their platters and serving pieces were just so beautiful and functional, and I couldn’t resist,” admits the bride. For their everyday kitchen needs, Williams Sonoma was a no-brainer for the couple. From a Breville Smart Oven to their Smeg electric kettle, every item was carefully chosen to suit their lifestyle.

Pearl organic Percale sham Pottery Barn wedding registry ideas
Pearl organic “Percale” sham, $50-60 Pottery Barn

Italian ceramic compote Hudson Grace wedding registry ideas
Italian ceramic compote, $98; Hudson Grace

Simon Pearce Hartland cake plate dome Gearys wedding registry ideas
“Hartland” cake plate dome, $275 by Simon Pearce; Gearys Beverly Hills

Belgian linen napkins set of 12 Pottery Barn wedding registry ideas
Belgian linen napkins, $140 (set of 12); Pottery Barn

Michael Aram White Orchid trivet Bloomingdale’s wedding registry ideas
“White Orchid” trivet, $110 by Michael Aram; Bloomingdale's

Blue votive glass candle holder, $22; Hudson Grace

Classic organic towel bundle set of six Pottery Barn wedding registry ideas
Classic organic towel bundle, $177 (set of six); Pottery Barn

Indigo HG Signature hand-dyed linen napkin,, $24/each; Hudson Grace

Goldtouch Pro nonstick sheet pan set of three Williams Sonoma wedding registry ideas
Goldtouch® Pro nonstick sheet pan, $96 (set of three); Williams Sonoma

Though registering wasn’t a familiar tradition for Ciarán, who is Irish (and more used to brides and grooms receiving cash gifts), they took a divide-and-conquer approach. “He had a few must-haves, like a great coffee maker and wine glasses, and he trusted me with the rest,” the bride explains of their strategy. “After in-store visits with my mom, I’d walk him through everything to make sure he was on board with the choices.”

Brooke and Ciarán mostly registered in-store, which allowed them to see, feel, and fall in love with the items firsthand, and online tools made it easy to edit later from home. “Running around with the scanner was genuinely fun,” she laughs. “And editing online helped us fine-tune what we really needed.”

While they received most of what they hoped for (especially from generous guests who completed entire sets), a few pieces, such as the Bernardaud Palmyre gravy boat and teapot remain on their wish list. “I do wish that I hadn’t vetoed the golf clubs Ciarán had his eye on,” smiles Brooke. “In hindsight… maybe that would’ve been a fun addition!”

Their advice to couples just beginning the registry process: “Think long term, register with intention, and enjoy it! It’s one of the most fun parts of wedding planning – especially when you do it with your people by your side.”

Wedding Registry Tips from Brooke & Ciarán

Think long term.

“Choose quality pieces that will last for years – possibly even generations – especially for entertaining and hosting.”

Find balance.

“Register for a mix of elegant keepsakes and everyday essentials – your guests want to gift both!”

Have fun with it.

“Enjoy the process: scanning in-store, editing online, and making decisions together can actually be one of the most fun parts of planning.”

This story was originally published as a Wish List feature in the Summer 2025 issue of Inside Weddings magazine. To order a digital copy of the Summer 2025 issue, visit our library of Inside Weddings back issues available for purchase. For more ideas, find out what wedding registry items couples often forget and see popular wedding registry items!

Opening photo by Adriana Klas Photography; Planning & Design by Dreams & Details; Registry: Gearys Beverly Hills