A Couple's Suggestions for "Fresh Start" + Fun Wedding Registry Items

Consider registry advice from a recently married couple who added items for their new condo to their wish list.

From the basics and essentials to fun pieces, be inspired by this couple's wedding registries at Bloomingdale's, Target, Pottery Barn, and Williams Sonoma!

engagement photo ideas bride to be in something blue dress and groom in suit field california
Photo: Lucas Rossi Photography

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Paul Hiepler admits that he didn’t have a strong influence on where he and his beloved, Cassidy (née Palka) chose to register for wedding gifts. “I let her take the lead on this one. Just like most of the other wedding-related stuff!” he smiles.

Prior to their European-inspired wedding at a private estate, the bride strategized how she would arrange their wedding registries. “Since we were in the process of buying a condo, it was going to be a totally fresh start,” Cassidy explains. “We needed the basics, the essentials, and the fun pieces too.” Cassidy’s strategy was simple: create the registries using the web because “online systems make it super simple nowadays.” She invited her best friends over and began making selections from the comfort of home. “We made a girls’ night out of it!”

Beginning with Bloomingdale’s because of the bride’s familiarity with the luxury department store, Cassidy opted for a range of essentials and décor pieces online, including a sleek bullion-hued bread plate. “I’m a big fan of Michael Aram’s line... my registry was filled with his pieces!” she reveals.

Bride in Blue Dress for Engagement Shoot

Photo by Lucas Rossi Photography

“I love looking in our home and using items that our guests got us.”

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For the convenience of guests due to its wide range of locations, Cassidy also elected to register at Target. “We added quite a few ‘techy’ gifts and outdoor games like giant Jenga and Spikeball!” notes Cassidy of the fun additions. “We are a super active couple, so we totally appreciated the backyard-related gifts,” Paul adds.

“While I am not the greatest cook and still learning, it sure is nice to have some amazing kitchen tools and appliances,” confides Cassidy. “Williams Sonoma is sister companies with Pottery Barn and West Elm. I love the style of each of these stores, so I thought it would be wise to register with them!” She selected copper pots and pans and stainless-steel chopsticks at Williams Sonoma. Pottery Barn offered gold-rimmed glassware Cassidy fell in love with, as well as a pizza paddle and a gilt set of cheese knives.

Cassidy chose not to add china to the wish list because nothing really piqued her interest at any of the retailers; however, she did receive beautiful dinnerware as a present from a loved one. “I wish I would’ve added Gearys to the list of registries! I didn’t realize their dining and entertaining selection is so dreamy, until I opened up an Inside Weddings magazine,” explains the bride.

wedding registry ideas Stainless-steel chopsticks from Williams Sonoma

Stainless-steel chopsticks, $13 (set of five pairs); Williams Sonoma

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The newlyweds are extremely grateful for all they received. The one area that Cassidy feels she could have improved upon was keeping a detailed list of who gifted each piece. “This will make your thank-you cards so much easier,” she emphasizes. As for Paul, he thinks his bride did an “awesome job” handling their wish lists. “I love looking in our home and using items that our guests got us,” he expresses.

Wedding Registry Tips from Cassidy & Paul

Invite Friends

“Sometimes your best friends are the best companions to help create your wish list. We made a girls’ night out of it!”

Establish an Email

“I would encourage all brides to create a new email address for the wedding, that way anything ‘big day’ related will all be organized in one inbox.”

Add More Items

“The more, the merrier. It’s a fun process for guests when there are a lot of items to choose from.”



This story was originally published as a Wish List feature in the Spring 2022 issue of Inside Weddings magazine. To order a copy of the Spring 2022 issue, visit our library of Inside Weddings back issues available for purchase.

For more ideas, take a look at wedding registry items couples often forget and discover some of the most popular wedding registry items!

Opening photo by Lucas Rossi Photography