wedding 2025 | Gift Registry Tips

Gifts

date posted: February 25, 2025

Like every trend we celebrate in these parts, it’s all about the freedom to show your love your way.

Wedding registries have evolved, and it’s beautiful. Gone are the days when couples were expected to register at several department stores for fancy tableware and linens and have their wedding attendants and close family pass the word.

Today’s universal wedding registries are a thing of beauty; they offer a place where you can dream up a list of your heart’s desires from all sorts of sources and edit it as you go along. Like every trend we celebrate in these parts, it’s all about the freedom to show your love your way.

So dream up your list as soon after you get engaged as possible, and we do mean dream! Read the fine print on a few different registry sites and choose one that offers flexibility and customer service help.

Ask for things that you will love and use, and give your loved ones a wide price range. Keep an eye on things as your wedding approaches and make sure there are always at least a couple of choices on the low end of that range.

Photo by Antoni Shkraba Photography.

Ask for things that you will love and use, and give your loved ones a wide price range.

Think about the things you love to do together, whether it’s travel, outdoor sports, fine wine and food, snuggling on the couch under super-cozy blankets, gardening, or all of the above. Think about that labor-saving gadget you keep postponing. Keep it fun, PG (unless, of course, your guest list is R-rated by design!), and focused on your wishes as a couple.

Your dearests want to celebrate you and make you happy. Make it easy for them.

It’s more than fine to offer people the chance to contribute to a honeymoon, home improvement, or home down payment fund, or to make charitable contributions to a cause you love. Your dearests want to celebrate you and make you happy. Make it easy for them.

wedding party gifts

It’s a lovely idea to give each attendant something special. Chocolates, gift cards, something sparkly? You know best here.

Photo by Miljan Živković.

Photo by Cloris Ying.

gifts for each other

Some couples want to pick out a special little something for each other to open on the wedding day, which can be fun; here too, you (plural) do you. But whether you’re doing that or not, we love the idea of giving each other wedding morning cards, notes, or letters that radiate your joy and excitement.

Photo by Kalz Photography.

Photo by Cloris Ying.

FOXGLOVE GENERAL

Saugerties, 518-859-1723, foxglovegeneral.com

Let us put together your gift for the couple, welcome bags, or gift boxes for the bridal party. You can also contact us for our à la carte floral options using local blooms during the growing season. Forgot to pack your tie? Need a card last minute? Don’t worry; we have those too. Come by today!

HERZOG’S HOME CENTER

Kingston, 845-338-6300, herzogs.com

Herzog’s gift department is truly one of a kind. Whether you’re shopping for a wedding, engagement, bridal shower, or bridesmaid party, you will be pleasantly surprised by their selection. Offerings include an exceptional selection of home décor pieces, tabletop and cookware, jewelry, and local handcrafted gifts. The best part is that they will take care of the gift wrapping, free of charge.

MINIATURE WORKS

Stone Ridge, 845-417-1693, bnminiatureworks.com

We believe that every miniature tells a story. Meticulously handcrafted vignettes with intricate personal details are a perfect nostalgic keepsake for any new couple and/or wedding party. Designed to be reflections of each recipient, each piece is a work of art to cherish forever.

WILLIAMS LUMBER & HOME CENTERS

Hudson Valley, 845-876-9663, williamslumber.com

Give the perfect wedding gift and NAIL IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME with a Williams Lumber & Home Centers gift card. With seven locations, since 1946 Williams Lumber & Home Centers has been regularly recognized for the best service, quality, and price. Give the gift of home improvement from Williams Lumber & Home Centers!

GATHER CATSKILLS

Delaware County, gathercatskills.com

The wedding of your dreams awaits in the Great Western Catskills. From timeless venues in the forest to renovated barns with modern amenities, the venue you long for is at your fingertips. Gather Catskills brings all the wedding resources of the Great Western Catskills together to make your planning process as easy as can be.

STONE RIDGE INSURANCE

Stone Ridge, 845-687-2828, stoneridgeinsurance.net

Since opening in 2009, Stone Ridge Insurance has taken pride in providing clients with outstanding service and a personalized experience every time. Owner Donald has grown into insurance education and helps people understand why they pay what they pay, to know how to be treated, and to help them protect themselves if they ever need it. Donald is an invaluable resource to his community and is always happy to share his knowledge of the insurance industry.

SULLIVAN CATSKILLS

Hudson Valley, 800-882-CATS, sullivancatskills.com

Say “I do” in New York’s legendary Sullivan Catskills. We’ll help you throw an extraordinary event that will keep your guests talking long after the wedding. Choose a grand ballroom or the quiet confines of a boutique inn. Our outdoor scenery is perfect for warm-weather weddings—lakeside, riverside, or even at historic sites. And there are nearly two dozen wedding planners, caterers, florists, transportation companies, and more.

ULSTER INSURANCE SERVICES

Hudson Valley, 845-338-6000, UlsterSavings.com/Insurance

You deserve personal service and expert advice for all your insurance needs. You may even save a bundle when you bundle auto and home insurance. Ask US for a free insurance review. We are a local and independent insurance agency conveniently located at Ulster Savings Bank.

ULSTER SAVINGS BANK

Hudson Valley, 845-338-6322, UlsterSavings.com

You deserve the very best when it comes to your financial future! This award-winning community bank is locally owned and has been serving the Hudson Valley for 174 years. Count on US for personalized, cutting-edge banking solutions, local expertise, and hometown service. It’s all right here…with US! Member FDIC.

ULSTER TOURISM

visitulstercountyny.com

Searching for the perfect venue in a picturesque setting worthy of your big day? Look no further than Ulster County, where you can exchange vows in a Victorian mountain castle, a rustic farmstead, or a sprawling Catskills vineyard. Cater your reception with local flavors and libations from world-renowned chefs, vintners, and brewers. Make memories that last a lifetime.