Planning a wedding is tons of work. As exciting as picking out floral arrangements and meal plans can be, it is still a stressful time. One of the highlights of your big day preparations is the registry.
Picking out gifts for guests to help celebrate your love and you and your soon-to-be spouse’s new beginning together should be tons of fun—but there are so many options! We’ve curated a list of the seven most popular online wedding registries so you can easily find the perfect one for you.
Zola
Zola is an online registry that is perfect for the bride looking for a stress-free experience. This platform prides itself on offering an “all in one” experience. The focus of Zola is to minimize stress and make the registry and planning process easy for couples.
Benefits
- More than 1000 brands and 100,000 product options
- Gift cards, honeymoon funds, and cash funds available
- Easy to use platform
- Built-in thank you note manager
- Free shipping and returns
- Post-wedding discount
- Free wedding website included
Limitations
- 2.5 percent processing fee on cash gifts
- Only one brick-and-mortar showroom, located in New York City
- Large gifts have additional shipping costs
- Not as well-known as other options, which can confuse guests
Amazon
Amazon is a platform nearly everyone is familiar with. It offers a registry option that many couples choose because of its familiarity and convenience for guests. Amazon offers one of the widest selections of products online. Here are some things to consider with Amazon registries.
Pros
- Discounts for Amazon Prime members
- Free shipping and returns
- Thank you tracking
- Gift financing options for guests
- The couple can add comments and prioritize items
Limitations
- No gift holding feature
- No physical location or showroom
- Many limitations when buying from third-party sellers
- Very restrictive without a Prime membership
Etsy
Etsy is a well-known site that highlights small businesses and artists who handmake their items. This site is a perfect option for couples who love to support small brands and independent creators.
Pros
- Supports small businesses
- Handmade, one of a kind gifts
- Guests can give personalized things
- Easy to use platform
- Wide product selection from thousands of small shops
Limitations
- Each Etsy seller has a unique return policy
- Shipping costs differ by shop
- Limited options for mass-produced items such as appliances
- No cash fund option
Wayfair
Wayfair is a well-known website that sells a wide range of home items from furniture to housewares. It is a platform many are familiar with, making the registry option a popular one.
Pros
- Wide product line options
- Free shipping and returns
- Post-wedding discount
- Easy to find matching sets to customize a home décor style
- Group gifting available
Limitations
- The list is live right away, leaving little room for adjustments
- No in-store option
- Limited to only Wayfair items
- No honeymoon fund or cash options
Target
Target is a store with a famously loyal following. This department store has a wide selection of products and often stays in style with the trends no matter your preferred aesthetic.
Pros
- Over 1,000 physical locations across the country
- Shop online or in-store with ease
- Group gifting options
- Partners with HoneyFund for more flexibility
Limitations
- Limited to the selection of products carried by Target stores
- Online and in-store purchases can be tricky to manage
- No clear thank you tracking feature
- Rotating stock makes registries hard to manage
MyRegistry
MyRegistry is an online registry designed for engaged couples. It rose to popularity and continues to grow in its offerings. It offers the unique feature to create wishlists for future events while registering for your wedding.
Pros
- You can register both on and offline for any product you like
- Option to request cash gifts
- Can sync with another registry
- Gift importance ranking system
Limitations
- Fees with cash gifts for guests
- Must manually enter offline added products
- Multiple return policies to stay on top of
- Requires an app download
HoneyFund
HoneyFund is a site growing in popularity with many young couples. It is a space that allows couples to save up for their honeymoon while giving guests a tangible choice in experience options.
Pros
- Guests can choose individual experiences to help pay for (ex. plane tickets, ziplining, hotel, dinner for two, etc.)
- Cuts down on unwanted gifted items that go to waste
- Allows the couple to take their dream honeymoon without breaking the bank
- Convenient and easy for guests
Limitations
- Some guests may not feel comfortable giving cash gifts
- No option for listing “wrap-able” gifts
- You will not have an accurate honeymoon budget until after the wedding
There are many options for the most popular online wedding registries. These seven are a great place to start. Every registry has its limitations—the important thing is the pros outweigh those setbacks, so you get a stress-free registration process, and your guests know how to help celebrate your nuptials.
