30 Bridal Registry Must-Haves for the Kitchen

Whether you are a bride-to-be or buying for one, this bridal registry must-haves list has everything you need for a fully-functional kitchen!

Wedding season is upon us and it’s time to register for those kitchen must-haves! So what do you definitely need to get your kitchen up and running and where should you register? I’m dishing on 30 bridal registry must-haves for the kitchen.

Where to Register for Kitchen Goods?

There are tons of options for kitchen registry. Bed Bath & Beyond has a huge variety of products and the store is everywhere, making it easy for your guests to pick something up for you. They also have a nice price point and tons of other household products (like bath needs) you might want to register for. Williams Sonoma has high quality, higher-price point kitchen goods. Crate & Barrel is likewise popular for kitchen goods registry. Newer to the registry playing field is Amazon. You can register online or go in store for any of these (except for Amazon, duh), or you can use an online registry-compiler like Blueprint Registry. You can’t really go wrong with any of these options!

Bridal Registry Must Haves for the Kitchen

Flatware. Say goodbye to the mismatched set of utensils from college (which is missing 3 spoons from that one roommate) and find a new set of flatware you love!

Dinnerware. Choose an even number of dinnerware since many of your future dinner guests will have a partner with them. Start with a set of 8, or go up to 10, 12 or more. If you can find a set that’s oven-proof (like these), they are fantastic to pop in the oven and keep plates warm. In my kitchen, we use salad plates as dinner plates, as recommended for proper portion control (9″ plates). Up to you on sizing!

Drinking glasses. Short, tall, or both.

Mugs. There is nothing worse than preparing hot chocolate only to realize all the mugs are dirty 😑, so the options are scalding hands, cold hot chocolate, or…. actually washing one of your mugs out. Grab a few! Again, preferably an even number.

Cutting boards. I would highly recommend having one cutting board specifically designated for raw meats. A colored set of plastic cutting boards is fantastic to help separate. I prefer plastic so they are dishwasher safe and I find that glass cutting boards are more difficult to cut on and the juices slide off the glass. My favorite way to separate them is: one for raw meats, one for cooked meats, one for breads, one for fruits and vegetables. Having a few extra cutting boards on hand is helpful.

Mixing bowls. Get a set of mixing bowls, preferably ones that are microwaveable and dishwasher friendly (I learned the hard way my first set wasn’t, whoops!). You’ll use these for everything from tossing a salad to mixing brownies to letting homemade dough rise.

Food storage containers. Ah, so many good options here. I would snag a few containers to keep your dry baking goods in (i.e. flour, sugar, etc.), and then register for a set of containers (BPA-free plastic or glass) to store and reheat leftovers in. One of my most-used gifts I received from my sister was this set of glass Pyrex bowls with plastic lids that I literally use every week.

Knives. Register for at least one great Chef’s knife and a paring knife. Alternatively, register for a whole knife set.

Pots & pans. Get at least two fry pans or sauté pans (link to the non-stick starter set I used below) and one sauce pan. I survived for three years with those three pans! Best case scenario would be a whole pot and pan set. Personally, I have loved every All-Clad pot or pan I’ve purchased.

Spatula(s) & ladle. Select a few plastic or stainless steel spatulas and get at least one ladle. They don’t need to be fancy.

Sauté spoons. Use sauté spoons to sautéing anything on the stovetop. Wooden and bamboo spoons are both popular.

Tongs. I can’t recommend tongs enough!! I would get multiple pairs (2 to 4 pairs). You can use one pair for meats that are still being cooked (i.e. when you’re flipping shrimp over) and a second pair for when meats are completely cooked. Tongs are fantastic for salads and serving, as well.

Spoon rest. This is helpful so you don’t set your sauté spoon or tongs on top of the countertop – they aren’t always as clean as you think!

Can opener. Whether you choose electric or manual is up to you (electric is definitely easier to use), but a can opener is a must!

Colander. I love a colander that rests across the sink so produce stays cleaner rather than resting on the bottom of your sink, and it’s also helpful so it doesn’t slow you down mid-meal prep!

Meat thermometer. A meat thermometer is essential for perfectly cooked meat every time. Check this chart for proper internal temperatures. An electronic meat thermometer that beeps when it reaches temp is super helpful, but a manual one works just as well.

Serving dishes & platters for entertaining. You may not want to think about guests, yet when you finally get settled and do have others over, what will you serve salad, fruit, your chicken breasts, etc. on? You probably won’t want to set the pots you cooked them in on the table.

Pitchers or beverage server(s). It’s common to offer one to two types of beverages when you have guests over. If you think you might be entertaining large groups for a bridal or baby shower, register for one or two large beverage servers.

Baking sheets. Register for at least two baking sheets. You’ll probably want more.

9×13 and 8×8 baking pans.  9 x 13 pans are the perfect pan size to bake a birthday cake, while an 8 x 8 is better when making smaller portions, like a lasagna for two or a classic “box brownies.”

Measuring cups & spoons. Measuring cups are used for liquids while measuring spoons are used for dry goods.

Step trash can with a lid. Keep your kitchen smelling good by using a trash can with a lid! It’s beyond helpful to have a step-on-to-open trash can rather than a push or pull-to-open, so you can easily open it while your hands are full.

Kitchen towels. Kitchen towels are essential for hand drying, dish drying, and produce drying.

Paper towel dispenser. Keep this next to your sink. I love one that holds the towel roll in place while you tear.

Oven mitts & hot pad holders. Save your hands and kitchen towels by using an oven mitt and hot pad holders. Choose a mitt that feels comfortable on your hand and get enough for at least two sets of helping hands in the kitchen. Hot pad holders save your table from too hot of dishes; grab a few to set warm dishes on.

Crock pot or slow cooker. If you’re new to the kitchen you might not use this appliance right away, but you will thank yourself a few months down the road when you realize it does the work for you! These babies will cook your whole meal while you’re away for the day!

Food processor or high-powered blender. These are used for different functions, but if you have at least one you’ll be able to blend up most things you might need. Of course if you’re a smoothie fiend, I’d go for the high-powered blender. If smoothies aren’t your jam, a food processor might be the way to go so you can make homemade pesto, a garbanzo bean chocolate cake or homemade energy balls.

Handheld or full-size mixer. A mixing device is essential for homemade baked goods. KitchenAid and Bosch are both highly recommended, heavy duty, and they last for years. (My hand-me-down KitchenAid is 14 years old!)

Toaster oven. I love my toaster oven and use it every day! It works for toasting, of course, but also doubles as a second oven since most apartments and first homes have only one oven. A toaster oven is perfect for warming naan, pita bread or tortillas just before a meal. It’s also great for reheating leftovers that might otherwise get soggy in the microwave, like pizza or quesadillas.

Panini press/indoor grill. Make fantastic grilled sandwiches that are cooked evenly or perfect your grilled salmon or grilled veggie skills with a panini press that doubles as an indoor grill.

That’s it for my bridal registry must-haves for the kitchen list! Of course there are plenty of other gadgets and appliances which are super helpful, but these are my top must-haves! The products I’ve linked to are all ones I’ve personally used, but you are certainly welcome to choose a different brand or model. Some of the appliances I’ve linked to come from more expensive brands, but I’ve found the cheaper versions have broken and I’ve replaced them with these. If you’re still looking for more, I’ll be posting my bridal registry “nice-to-haves” and favorite kitchen gadgets under $10 in the coming weeks!

Disclosures: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. | This post was not created in partnership with any product or brand. | I have linked only to products I personally use. As always, all opinions are genuine.