How to Use Your Wedding Style to Figure out What to Register For

Photo by Maddie Eisenhart, Styling by Kate Levy for A Practical Wedding

You know why I think so many people end up frustrated with registering for their wedding? It’s because the wedding industry has taken all the fun out of it. (What? That never happens!) The “must-have” lists almost exclusively focus on practical essentials, cookware, and trying to guess at what will you still like in thirty years. Which is great if you are A) a passionate cook, or B) a psychic. But as we’ve learned with weddings (hint: they are not timeless), it’s basically never a good idea to opt for something you feel lukewarm about, with the hopes that you’ll still feel lukewarm about it in thirty years. Rather, focus on what you love now, and lean hard into that. I guarantee you’ll get much more appreciation out of your stuff that way.

And spoiler alert: Your registry does not have to be all practical essentials and cookware. Somewhere in your guest list lives in a hip friend who wants nothing more than to buy you a pineapple-shaped cutting board. So you should let them do just that.

Which is why today, we’re taking a break from practical registry recommendations and leaning hard into practical-ish registry items that we hope will inspire you to find things you feel passionate about. And since you’re already probably knee-deep in finding non-timeless things you love for your wedding, we’ve used your wedding style as a jumping off point for doing it. So go, register for that totally of-the-moment glassware set you just love. And maybe even throw in some totally frivolous things like a neon heart or a beautiful petrified wood tray. Because what’s the point of building a home together if you can’t have a little fun with it?

What’s your favorite thing you’ve registered for? Bonus points will be administered for the unique and delightful.

Editor’s note: This post was not sponsored, but it does contain affiliate links (which help us make money every time you click and make a purchase).

if your style is Romantic

Event Design by Gather Events; Photography by Brian Tropiano

Romantic decor doesn’t have to mean all pink everything. Instead, you can create a moody kind of romance with dark, rich colors accented in metallic. Hot tip: gold is basically a neutral here. And you can keep your decor from becoming too sweet by opting for jewel tones. And when you really want to heighten the romance? Turn off the lights and let candles set the mood. Boom, your house is basically a Dutch painting, just waiting for date night in with your boo or an intimate feast for your closest guests.

Geo Pillar Candle Holder via Anthropologie ($36.00–$40.00)

Xylo Vase via CB2 ($16.95)

Ore-Edged Charger via Anthropologie ($24.00)

Glass Stemware Amethyst Red Wine Glasses via Wayfair ($32.99)

Metallic Gold Taper Candles, Set of Four via World Market ($7.96)

Set of Four Indigo Stripe Napkins via CB2 ($19.95)

If your Style is Modern Eclectic

Event Design by Gather Events; Photography by Max and Friends

If so fresh and so clean, clean (with a pop of color) is more your style, opt for a color palette that keeps things crisp and modern. Greens bring the outside in, and pink makes the table pop. (Pro-tip: Colors that sit across the color wheel from each other, like pink and green, will stand out better against each other.) To keep things from looking too clean, though, opt for a mixture of brass and textured materials for a vibe that’s both modern and eclectic. The name of the game here is opposition—smooth with texture, new with old, you get the idea.

Blush Element Dinner Plates, Set of Four via World Market ($22.36)

Marble & Acacia Cheese Board via Anthropologie ($68.00)

Gabriel Brass Taper Candle Holder via Crate and Barrel ($59.95)

Quilted Acrylic Glassware (Set of 4) via West Elm ($20.00)

4-Piece Intermix White Serving Set via CB2 ($29.95)

Rectangular Copper Plant Tray via Gardener’s Supply Company ($22.95)

If your Style is Preppy (with a Twist)

Event Design by Fête Nashville; Photography by Erin Lee Allender

Maybe your style is a little traditional, a little less is more. In that case, opt for a monochromatic palette and bold, structured patterns like heavy stripes. Navy is a staple color for a reason. Afraid of your home turning into one of those themed seaside cottages? (Seashell-shaped soap? You don’t say!) Stay away from anything nautical-themed, and steer toward organic textures like waffled flatware and mix-and-match mercury glass.

Striped Table Runner via Target ($33.24)

Fortessa Taura Platinum Bone China Plate via Sur La Table ($20.00–$30.00)

Linen Napkins, Set of 4 via Sur La Table ($34.95)

French Wine Glass via Crate and Barrel ($4.95)

Manhattan Platinum Flatware via Anthropologie ($90.00)

Silver Mercury Glass Votive Candleholders, Set of 3 via World Market ($11.97)

If Your Style is Bright and Modern

Event Design by Antonia Christianson Events; Photography by Eleise Theuer

At APW, we basically believe that hot pink is a neutral. If that’s you too, then this is for you. To keep things modern, look for bold geographic patterns and gold accents. Pro-tip: Choose essentials in a neutral color (black, white, gold) and choose more affordable items in your accent color (think napkins and vases). Then, when you decide that hot pink is so last year, you can swap it out for something else, and voila, instant update.

Larabee Dot Gold 5-piece Place Setting via Kate Spade ($90.00)

Linen Napkins, Set of 4 via Sur La Table ($14.99)

Fishs Eddy Gilded Side Plates via West Elm ($10.00)

Gilded Rim Stemless Glass via Anthropologie ($20.00)

Daisy Place Vase via Kate Spade ($75.00)

Set of 6 Betty Tea Light Candle Holders via CB2 ($16.95)

If Your Style is Vintage Glam

Event Design by Antonia Christianson Events, Photography by We Are the Mitchells

If you can’t fully commit to one thing and you love to dig around vintage stores to see what you can find, we’ve got you covered. The theme here is everything. Mix textures, patterns, time periods, you name it. You can keep things cohesive by sticking to a more neutral color palette (muted tones, pastels), or by going for lots of different hues of the same color.

5-Piece Mirage Flatware Place Setting via Horchow (140.00)

Mismatched China Plates, Set of 8 via Etsy ($60.00)

Gold Moretti Candelabra via Save On Crafts ($96.00)

Vintage Etched Goblets, Set of 4 via Williams Sonoma ($41.56)

Frayed Edge Napkin (Set of 4) via West Elm ($19.00)

Vintage White Milk Glass Bud Vase, Set of 5 via Etsy ($28.00)

If your style is Classic Minimalism

Event Design by Gather Events; Photography by Max and Friends

Tasteful minimalism never goes out of style. Look for things like pristine details (think cut crystal) and clean lines. And if you’re afraid that “classic” might translate to “old fashioned,” you can replace some of your more traditional pieces with modern, minimal accents in materials like cement, stone, and wood (who else needs those candle holders below besides me?). Bonus: This look goes best with busting out the good china on a random Tuesday, because why not?

Spindle Flatware via Anthropologie ($24.99)