Wedding Registry Ideas for Couples Who Love to Entertain at Home

Before their fall wedding in Los Angeles, Caitlin (née Salata) and Chris Evangelatos knew exactly what they wanted out of their wedding registry: pieces that would support one of their favorite shared pastimes – entertaining at home – while also reflecting their personal aesthetic as a couple. “We love hosting,” Caitlin explains. “So, we focused on building a registry that would let us do that in a stylish and elevated way.”

With that in mind, she kicked off the process with a visit to Bloomingdale’s alongside her mom, snapping photos of serveware, barware, and decorative pieces that caught her eye. A second visit with her future mother-in-law helped round out the list with thoughtful suggestions for must-have entertaining and kitchen items. The result was a refined, cohesive collection that included dinnerware, coffee table books, candles, appliances, and decorative accents – all chosen with care and intention.

Photo by Anna Iliukhina

Among their favorites were Juliska Berry & Thread dinner plates, the Michael Aram “Palm” triple bowl server, a sculptural amber lidded vessel from Nude Glass, and a jumbo Voluspa candle that now lives in their home. “We wanted to register for pieces we’d use often, but also love looking at,” Caitlin shares of their selections.

“Palm” triple bowl server, $210 by Michael Aram; Bloomingdale's

“White Pearl” dinner plate, $35 by Costa Nova; Bloomingdale's

Champagne flutes, $215 (set of six) by Estelle Colored Glass; Zola

“Ella” 6” corset vase, $115 by Juliska; Bloomingdale's

Signature organic cotton hemmed king sheet set, $299 (set of four) by Boll & Branch; Bloomingdale's

Chris, who considers himself the more particular of the two when it comes to design, took the lead on their Zola selections. “I had fun mixing and matching place settings and picking out things that felt like us,” he says. He appreciated that Zola allowed them to link to products from outside retailers, creating a custom feel while keeping everything centralized. “It was nice to not be limited,” he adds.

As for the decision-making process, Caitlin and Chris were surprisingly in sync. “I’m more go-with-the-flow, and Chris has a great eye,” Caitlin says. One moment that stands out: Caitlin had originally selected an all-white Juliska plate stack, but Chris swapped in a deep blue dinner plate that pulled everything together. “It ended up looking so much better,” Caitlin confides. “That’s the kind of collaboration we had throughout.”

All-Clad 4-piece BBQ tool set with case, $155; Bloomingdale's

Juliska Berry & Thread napkin ring in Bright Satin, $22; Bloomingdale’s

Cake stand ($235) and dome ($85), both by Estelle Colored Glass; Zola

“Olive Branch” 5”x7” picture frame, $135 by Michael Aram; Bloomingdale's

In total, they estimate that about 70% of their guests purchased gifts from the registries, while the rest opted for personal, non-registry gifts. And while a few Zola items ended up being discontinued before shipping, they were easily converted to store credit or gift cards. “It all worked out,” Caitlin notes. “We didn’t return a single thing from Bloomingdale’s.”

Looking back, the couple says the experience was both fun and meaningful. “We ended up with beautiful items we’ll use for years – and a few that already feel like family heirlooms,” Chris says. “It was a great way to start building our life together.”

Wedding Registry Tips from Caitlin & Chris

Think beyond the basics.

“Gift cards for airlines or honeymoon experiences can be just as meaningful as physical items – and super useful.”

Add a mix of price points.

“From bridal showers to group gifts, variety is key – especially with a large guest list.”

Have fun with it.

“Don’t worry so much about tradition. Choose what you’ll actually enjoy using together!”

This story was originally published as a Wish List feature in the Fall 2025 issue of Inside Weddings magazine. To order a digital copy of the Fall 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 Anna Iliukhina