50 Kitchen Essentials for Your Wedding Registry

Before running through the aisles of Bloomingdales or Target, browse this list of recommended kitchen essentials for your wedding registry.

Planning a wedding requires a lot of decision making in a relatively short period of time. This can make figuring out what to add to your wedding registry nearly impossible. It’s a time to splurge on items you might not otherwise buy for yourself, but how do you narrow it down to those you will actually use?

I’ve curated this list of recommended essentials to add to your wedding registry for a well-stocked kitchen so that you can feel like a confident home cook!

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I can’t tell you how many times a friend has gotten married, and somewhere between asking my opinion on the flowers and bridesmaids’ dress colors, they’ve asked, “what kitchen items would you recommend I add to the wedding registry?” 

Or, “What size pots and pans should I buy?” 

It can feel overwhelming once you’ve got that scanner weapon in your hands to know how to use it to your advantage. If you’re creating a wedding registry online, forget about it. After just a few minutes, everything will start looking the same. 

Here are my recommendations for kitchen essentials to include on your wedding registry, broken down by category:

• Cookware Essentials
• Bakeware Must-Haves
• Kitchen Tools
• Entertaining Essentials
• Kitchen Odds & Ends

Many of these items are what I would consider essential, but there are a few that aren’t necessarily must-haves, but nice-to-haves. Stocking your kitchen with these items will allow you to be the confident cook you imagine as you enter into this new stage of life with a hubby to feed. 

Cookware Essentials for Your Registry

Multi-piece cookware set. To be honest, I’m not a huge fan of cookware sets because there are often pots and pans included that really aren’t necessary or utilized often. That said, they tend to be the most affordable for someone who is starting from scratch. The material of the pan is often personal preference, however, I have used and love stainless steel, ceramic and non-toxic green pans. 

• 8” (both stainless/nonstick) + 10” fry pan (stainless/nonstick) – I recommend both types here because the nonstick is essential for egg dishes. For most other types of cooking, stainless steel will be preferred to get a nice sear on vegetables and meat.  
• Large deep dish sauté pan with a lid (stainless) – use this pan for one dish meals such as stir frys, curries, etc. 
• 1qt. Saucepan (stainless) – great for making sauces
• 3.5 qt. Saucepan (stainless) – used for cooking whole grains and pasta 
• 5 qt. Dutch oven – used for soups and stews 
• Pancake griddle 

High-speed blender. I go back and forth on my recommendation here. For soups and smoothies, the Vitamix is the most popular. However, if you plan to make vegan cheeses, dips, and raw desserts, especially in smaller batches, I would recommend a Blendtec with the twister jar attachment. 

Single-serve blender. If you make smoothies regularly, I would highly recommend a separate single-serve blender. It is so much easier to blend and clean than pulling out the big boy every time you want to make a smoothie. 

Immersion blender. This isn’t necessarily a must-have, but I do use mine often. The immersion blender is used to make creamy soups directly in the pot, versus having to add in batches to the blender. I also like the immersion blender because you can more easily control the consistency. This dairy-free broccoli cheddar soup is a perfect example of how I use both the high-speed blender and immersion blender for a texture that is to die for. 

Hand mixer OR stand mixer. I’m not a huge baker, so I’ve never really felt the need to have a stand mixer. I find it takes up too much space and isn’t used often enough. I’m sure many of you might disagree. Instead, I keep a hand mixer on hand for times that I need it. 

Food processor. This piece of equipment really isn’t optional in my opinion. You can use a food processor to make hummus, energy bites, veggie burgers, falafel, etc. These items can’t be made in a blender, as most are not “wet” enough. 

Instapot. I personally don’t have a pressure cooker, but there are a few times that I wish I did. You can use it to make soups, tender cuts of meat, boil eggs, and so much more. It’s one of those “push a button and don’t worry about it” pieces of equipment. If you decide on an instapot, you do not need a rice cooker or crockpot. 

Air fryer. Not a piece of equipment I have, but wish I did. If you have the space to store several larger appliances, an air fryer is fun to have. It is versatile and makes healthier fried food (no oil necessary!) super convenient. 

Steam oven. Adding this one to my wish list once I have the space for it. If you like to meal prep or your new hubby doesn’t love the taste of leftovers, I would recommend trying out a steam oven. Not only can you steam foods, but I have heard that steaming a plate of leftovers makes a huge difference in how it tastes. 

Toaster. Unless you have a family of more than 2 people who all make toast, I would recommend a 2-slice toaster. Less space taken up on the countertop or in the cabinet. 

Coffee pot. For those of us who love coffee, choosing how to brew that morning cup of coffee can often be personal preference. I currently have the Ninja Auto-iQ coffee maker and love it. You can brew a single cup, travel size, half pot or full pot. 

Milk frother. Whether you enjoy a cup of tea or a little something extra in your coffee, a milk frother is nice to have around. You might not use it every day, but it doesn’t take up much space and is so much easier to use than frothing milk on the stovetop. 

Bakeware Essentials for your Wedding Registry

2x baking sheets. Use these for roasting vegetables or for extra support to put under baking dishes in the oven. 

Square baking dish. Used for baking brownies, or shaping no bake bars. 

Glass pie dish. Obviously used for pies, but also great to use for baked quiches and frittatas. 

Rectangle baking dish. Used for enchiladas, baked meat dishes, casseroles, sheet pan cakes, etc. 

Deep rectangular baking dish. These are great for multi-layer dishes such as lasagna. 

2x muffin pans. I have used many muffin pans in my chef days, and these muffin tins are by far the best. Fail proof non stick every time. 

Mini muffin pan. Mini sized muffins are great for portion control, making cookie cups (for ice cream scoops!), or for entertaining. 

Silicone muffin mold. We use these most often for egg cups, a breakfast meal prep staple. In my private chef business, we stopped making egg cups for clients in regular muffin pans because they routinely got stuck. These silicone muffin molds make cleaning up a breeze! 

Loaf pan. Use this for quick breads (like this banana bread), or for making raw dessert bars. 

Must-Have Kitchen Tools to Add to Your Registry

8” chef’s knife. If you only have one knife in your kitchen, this is it. I prefer the Shun brand because it is lightweight and feels great in my hand. It also stays sharp for a long time! 

Paring knife. Used for smaller cut jobs, such as chopping berries, slicing avocado, etc. 

Serrated knife. Not used often, but nice to hand on hand when slicing breads. 

Kitchen shears. Used for cutting anything in the kitchen, including trimming meats. 

Cutting boards (wood & plastic). I recommend wood cutting boards for the majority of chopping needs. The wood surface protects your knife blade, as opposed to harder surfaces that will wear and damage your knife over time. If you consume meat, especially poultry, keep a few plastic cutting boards on hand to keep meat prep separate. You never want to put raw meat on your wood cutting board, as it’s a porous surface and can cross contaminate bacteria. 

Microplane zester. These zesters are one of my kitchen secrets. Use it for zesting citrus for bright flavor, garlic in raw recipes, and fresh ginger. 

Box grater. The only side of the box grater that is utilized is mostly the largest holes. Used for grating veggies or cheese. 

Citrus juicer. Not necessarily essential, but a convenient tool to have on hand to prevent seeds from falling into foods and getting the most lemon or lime juice possible. 

Measuring cups and spoons. Pretty much a given. 

Liquid measuring cup. Best used for measuring liquid ingredients, or a homemade dressing all in one container. 

Nesting mixing bowls. I like to keep a couple of sets of nesting mixing bowls on hand for easy storage and a variety of sizes. 

Colander. I like this nesting set for a variety of sizes. Colanders can be used for draining pasta, or rinsing produce. 

Whisk. Essential tool to have. 

Vegetable peeler. Essential tool to have. 

Dough cutter. Aside from using this for baking, I prefer a dough cutter to a masher for mashing bananas or avocados. 

Cookie scoop. Yes, to make cookies, but also for perfectly portioned energy bites. 

Heat-resistant spatulas. Keeping heat resistant spatulas on hand are versatile for both baking and heat cooking. 

Can opener. You would be surprised how many home kitchens I cook in that don’t have one of these tools! No need for a fancy one. The basic one will do just fine. 

Tongs. Used for both indoor and outdoor cooking. 

Mason jar funnel. Not a tool you might think of, but a lifesaver when transferring soup, or adding ingredients to a mason jar. 

Rolling pin. Use this for baking, or flattening homemade pizza crust. 

Entertaining Essentials for Your Bridal Registry

Assorted platters. I prefer to keep entertaining platters to neutral colors, which will allow the food that is displayed to shine. White, natural wood and stone color are always timeless choices. When entertaining, I mostly use larger platters of varying shapes for themed party boards, individual bites, and chips/dip with a dip bowl placed in the center. 

• Large/medium rectangular 
• Large round
• Cake stand – not just used for displaying cakes, but cookies, muffins, etc. as well. 

Large bowls. Those are mostly used for large group salads. 

Dip bowls. This cereal bowl size, but prettier. 

Pitchers. I like to keep a few different sizes on hand to serve infused water, juices or teas out of when having guests over. 

Don’t Forget these Kitchen Odds & Ends on Your Registry

Ramekins. These are a home cook’s must have. You can store individual ingredients while cooking, bake individual-size desserts, and use them for small dip bowls. 

Kitchen towels. White kitchen towels are timeless, but they do get dirty quickly. Keep a number of basic white towels on hand and when guests come over, pull out your nicer, fancier towels for display. 

Oven mitts. There are many different shapes of oven mitts, but the easier to put on and less bulky, I find it’s easier to use. 

Meal prep containers. There are many variety packs out there, however, after prepping hundreds of meals for FitLiving Eats Winter Park clients, I can tell you with confidence that you only need these two sizes:

• 30-ounce rectangle glass containers 
• 52-ounce rectangle glass containers

Soup Cubes. These are actually new to me and while I don’t have these yet, they are genius. Pre-portion soup for freezing, or any kind of leftovers for an easy meal on-the-go!

Stasher bags. Looking to reduce waste? These might seem expensive, but they will save money over time and can easily be cleaned in the dishwasher. 

Nut milk bag. If you think you might attempt homemade nut milk or blender green juices, having one of these on hand is a must. 

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Seems like a lot doesn’t it? Download this FREE Kitchen Essentials Checklist for easy access to my recommended equipment and tools. 

Happy Shopping!