The traditional bridal registry should include essentials for the home, but you do not need to register for anything you don't want or need. Although items such as formal china may seem ridiculous now, they may be useful in five or ten years when you have the family over for a holiday meal. Be sure to register for an adequate amount of items — for example, eight to twelve place settings each of china, silverware, and crystal, which would be enough to accommodate the guests at a dinner party or holiday meal.

Look at a sample registry. A vast selection of items in a wide variety of price ranges is ideal for a bridal registry.

FORMAL DINNERWARE: (Specify manufacturer, pattern, quantity)

Dinner plates

Sandwich/lunch plates

Salad/dessert plates

Bread and butter plates

Cups and saucers

Rimmed soup bowls

Soup/cereal bowls

Fruit bowls

Open vegetable dishes

Covered vegetable dishes

Gravy boat

Sugar bowl

Creamer

Small platter

Medium platter

Large platter

Salt and pepper shakers

Coffeepot

Teapot

Butter dish

CASUAL DINNERWARE: (Specify manufacturer, pattern, and quantity)

Dinner plates

Sandwich/lunch plates

Salad/dessert plates

Bread and butter plates

Cups and saucers

Rimmed soup bowls

Soup/cereal bowls

Fruit bowls

Open vegetable dishes

Covered vegetable dishes

Gravy boat

Sugar bowl

Creamer

Small platter

Medium platter

Large platter

Salt and pepper shakers

Coffeepot

Mugs

Butter dish

FORMAL FLATWARE/SILVERWARE: (Specify manufacturer, pattern, quantity)

Five-piece place setting

Four-piece place setting

Dinner forks

Dinner knives

Teaspoons

Salad forks

Soup spoons

Butter spreader

Butter knives

Cold meat fork

Sugar spoon

Serving spoon

Pierced spoon

Gravy ladle

Pie/cake server

Hostess set

Serving set

Silver chest

CASUAL FLATWARE: (Specify manufacturer, pattern, quantity)

Five-piece setting

Dinner forks

Dinner knives

Teaspoons

Salad forks

Soup spoons

Hostess set

Serve set

Gravy ladle

Cake/pie server

GLASSWARE: (Specify manufacturer, pattern, quantity)

Wineglasses

Champagne flutes

Water goblets

Cordials

Brandy snifters

Decanters

Pitchers

BAR AND GLASSWARE: (Specify manufacturer, pattern, quantity)

Beer mugs

Pilsners

Highball glasses

Decanter

Pitcher

Cocktail shaker

Ice bucket

Champagne cooler

Whiskey set

Martini set

Wine rack

Bar utensils

HOLLOWWARE: (Specify manufacturer, pattern, quantity)

Sugar/creamer

Coffee service

Serving tray

Relish tray

Canapé tray

Chip and dip server

Cheese board

Cake plate

Large salad bowl

Salad bowl set

Salad tongs

Gravy boat

Butter dish

Salt and pepper shakers

Round baker

Rectangular baker

Demitasse set

GIFTS/HOME DÉCOR ITEMS:

Vase

Bud vase

Bowl

Candlestick pair

Picture frame

Figurine

Clock

Lamp

Framed art

Brass accessories

Picnic basket

SMALL ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES:

Coffeemaker

Coffee grinder

Espresso/cappuccino maker

Food processor

Mini processor

Mini chopper

Blender

Hand mixer

Stand mixer

Bread baker

Pasta machine

Citrus juicer

Juice extractor

Toaster (specify 2-slice or 4-slice)

Toaster oven

Microwave

Electric fry pan

Electric wok

Electric griddle

Sandwich maker

Waffle maker

Hot tray

Indoor grill

Slow cooker

Rice cooker

Can opener

Food slicer

Electric knife

Iron

Vacuum cleaner

Fan

Humidifier

Dehumidifier

Space heater

CUTLERY:

Carving set

Cutlery set

Knife set

Knife block

Steel sharpener

Boning knife (specify size)

Paring knife (specify size)

Chef knife (specify size)

Bread knife (specify size)

Slicing knife (specify size)

Carving fork

Utility knife (specify size)

Kitchen shears

Cleaver

BAKEWARE:

Cake pan

Cookie sheet

Bread pan

Muffin tin

Cooling rack

Bundt pan

Springform cake pan

Pie plate

Roasting pan

Pizza pan

Covered casserole

Soufflé dish

Rectangular baker

Lasagna baker

Lasagna pan

Pizza pan

Pizza stone

KITCHEN BASICS:

Kitchen tool set

Canister set

Spice rack

Cutting board

Salad bowl set

Salt and pepper mill

Kitchen towels

Potholders

Apron

Mixing bowl set

Measuring cup set

Rolling pin

Cookie jar

Tea kettle

Coffee mugs

COOKWARE:

Saucepan (small)

Saucepan (medium)

Saucepan (large)

Sauté pan (small)

Sauté pan (large)

Frying pan (small)

Frying pan (medium)

Frying pan (large)

Stockpot (small)

Stockpot (large)

Roasting pan

Omelet pan (small)

Omelet pan (large)

Skillet

Double boiler

Steamer insert

Wok

Griddle

Stir-fry pan

Microwave cookware set

Tea kettle

Dutch oven

LUGGAGE:

Duffel bag

Beauty case

Carry-on tote

Pullman bags (specify quantity and sizes)

Garment bag

Luggage cart

HOME ELECTRONICS:

Stereo

CD player

Television

VCR

Camcorder

Telephone

Answering machine

Portable stereo

Camera

FORMAL TABLE LINENS: (Specify color/theme):

Tablecloth

Place mats

Napkins

Napkin rings

CASUAL TABLE LINENS: (Specify color/theme):

Tablecloth

Place mats

Napkins

Napkin rings

MASTER BED: (Specify color/ theme and bed size):

Flat sheet

Fitted sheet

Pillowcase

Set of sheets

Comforter

Comforter set

Dust ruffle

Pillow sham

Window treatment

Down comforter

Duvet cover

Bedspread

Quilt

Blanket

Electric blanket

Decorative pillows

Down pillow (specify Standard, Queen, or King)

Pillow (specify Standard, Queen, or King)

Mattress pad

GUEST BED: (Specify color, theme and bed size):

Flat sheet

Fitted sheet

Pillowcase

Set of sheets

Comforter

Comforter set

Dust ruffle

Pillow sham

Window treatment

Down comforter

Duvet cover

Bedspread

Quilt

Blanket

Electric blanket

Decorative pillow

Down pillow (specify Standard, Queen, or King)

Pillow (specify Standard, Queen, or King)

Mattress pad

MASTER BATH: (Specify colors)

Bath towel

Hand towel

Washcloth

Fingertip towel

Body sheet

Shower curtain

Bath mat

Bath rug

Lid cover

Hamper

Scale

Wastebasket

GUEST BATH: (Specify colors)

Bath towel

Hand towel

Washcloth

Fingertip towel

Body sheet

Shower curtain

Bath mat

Bath rug

Lid cover

Hamper

Scale

Waste basket

INTIMATES (for Bridal Shower)

Peignoir set

Short gown

Long gown

Camisole

Tap pant

Teddy