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Planning a wedding comes with a To Do list feels a mile long, but one of the most fun items to cross off that list is registering for gifts. Starting a new life together is made even more special with fresh household items and meaningful pieces gifted by friends and family that will always spark memories of an unforgettable wedding day.

Whether walking into a store or opting to start your registry online, it can be overwhelming to know which items are a must-include. We caught up with the team at The Registry in Downtown Franklin, and they shared the six items every couple should add to their registry.

#1: Everyday Dishes

Get ready for a lifetime of conversations and memories made around the dinner table, all served up on your everyday dishes. Make those memories even more special by adding your everyday dishes to your wedding registry.

Alison Elkin, bridal specialist at The Registry, recommends registering for twelve place settings and investing in a high-quality brand. While selecting a simple place setting is timeless, couples can opt for a colorful or unique salad plate or coupe bowl to mix things up.

#2: Flatware

Next to dishes, flatware will likely be used multiple times a day, every day. Register for something high-quality that will complement both casual place settings and fine china. “Invest in a nice flatware that doesn’t scratch easily and can go in the dishwasher,” Alison added. “You can always look for 18-10, which is restaurant quality.”

#3: Glassware/Barware

Quality pieces of glassware or barware are usually something a couple wouldn’t buy for themselves, so they are perfect additions to any bridal registry. Think: double old fashioned, coupe, or wine glasses, or a nice pair of champagne flutes.

Alison shared that registries have two sides: things the couple wants, and things people want to gift them. Glassware and barware often serve both purposes, as beautiful glass pieces will remind the couple of the gift giver each time they’re used or displayed.

#4: Seasonal Items

Be mindful of all seasons when registering. For example, if you’re registering in fall or winter, don’t forget about summer needs, and vice versa. Remember to add things like holiday pieces and décor and items suitable for hot and cold weather when registering. “For summertime, melamine has become so popular these days,” said Alison. “It’s great for outdoor entertaining, but it’s also great for families.”

#5: Accent Items

With the everyday items selected, it can be fun to add unique accent pieces to your wedding registry. The Registry encourages couples to register for timeless pieces, but an accent item can add a touch of personality and fun to a home. Things like linens, tabletop accessories, candlesticks, candles and entertainment items are great options to add a pop of color or an accent piece that will forever remind the couple of the loved one who gifted it.

#6: China

China is not outdated. In fact, the Registry often finds that couples do want fine china, but the disconnect usually happens when people are purchasing it since it’s not used as regularly as everyday dishes or accent pieces. Whether building a wedding registry or selecting a gift for a couple in your life, China can hold extra special significance during special occasions for years to come.

“You don’t use it as often as your everyday-type dishes, but there’s no reason you couldn’t take it out for a special date night or holiday,” Alison said. “Everyday moments don’t always get remembered, but those special occasions do. You probably remember how your table was set for Christmas, but not how it was set every day.”

There is no right or wrong way to make a wedding registry, but these six items are a great place to start. From there, think through things like appliances, decor, tools and everyday necessities, and of course, add a few things just for fun. Love a game night? Register for the latest board game or your childhood favorite. Outdoor enthusiast? Add a hammock or fire pit.

Alison left us with this sage advice: “Registries are a wish list for the bride and groom, and it takes the person who’s purchasing to make that dream a reality.”