7 Inappropriate Things You Shouldn't Put on Your Wedding Registry

We have a very "you do you" attitude about weddings. We firmly believe a wedding (and all adjacent events) should be a reflection of a couple, so there's not much we'll really say no to. Except, that is, when it comes to inappropriate things to put on your wedding registry. Believe it or not, there are some hard-and-fast dos and don'ts related to wedding registry etiquette, from ensuring your wish list is live in time for your first celebratory event to striking the right price ratio so everyone can find a gift within their budget.

Still, even if you've gone over your wedding registry checklist and have painstakingly compiled what you think is the perfect wish list, you could unknowingly be making a major etiquette mistake. Don't stress—we're here to help. Below, we're rounding up a few things you shouldn't register for at all costs. Like with everything, there are some exceptions to these rules—and more than a few of them may come as a surprise to you—but ultimately, think of the below as a good road map for keeping your gift requests in line (and respectful) when you're dreaming up what to put on your wedding registry.

1. Anything Related to Intimacy

Let's start off with a bang, shall we? While a wedding is an incredibly personal occasion, we firmly believe there should still be a limit to just how personal things get with your guests. When making your wedding registry, keep things PG and respect your guests' boundaries by avoiding anything related to intimacy on your registry. "Save the intimate gift registry items, such as lingerie, for your bachelorette or bachelor parties," says Myka Meier, an etiquette expert and author of two bestselling etiquette books. "Including those items on your wishlist, no matter how well-intentioned, will only serve to make your guests feel uncomfortable." If you've always dreamed of a lingerie shower, share your wishes directly with your wedding party or ask to tie in that theme to your bach party instead.

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2. Personal Electronics

In such a tech-driven world, it would be silly to say that nothing on your registry should be tech gear, but use your discretion when it comes to which gadgets make the cut. Things like a digital camera or a GoPro to capture your Hawaiian honeymoon are totally fine—a new laptop so you can WFH in style is not. "When it comes to technology, you don't want to add any items to the list that are deemed a personal or 'self-satisfaction' item," says Jackie Vernon-Thompson, etiquette expert and founder of From the Inside-Out School of Etiquette. "To me, this includes things like laptops, iPads, tablets, gaming consoles and cell phones. It will seem like you're taking advantage of your guests and their generosity, especially considering these are often very pricey items."

3. Personal Hygiene or Home Hygiene Items

Fact: Cleaning is a part of everyone's daily life and routine, but that doesn't mean that you should pepper your registry with Costco-style bulk paper towels or green cleaning products. According to Vernon-Thomspon, it should never be implied that guests are responsible for buying anything to keep your home clean—and the same goes for personal care products like perfume, body wash or bubble bath. While there are several cleaning items that have become registry mainstays over the years (vacuums and carpet cleaners come to mind), most other items in this category should be avoided. After all, it's more fun to stick to the good stuff.

4. Gifts Geared Towards One Half of a Couple

Weddings and showers are a celebration of two people, so your gift registry should absolutely reflect that. This means sitting down together to compile your wedding registry and avoiding adding any gifts that are directly related to just one person's enjoyment. "I always advise never putting any personal items on a registry that would only be intended for only one person in the couple, like an outfit, shoes or jewelry," says Meier. "A wedding registry is meant to give couples the gifts they need to start their lives together, so individual gifts should stay off." If you do find yourselves wanting to register for hobby-focused items, make sure it's something you can enjoy together, like a tent for camping or a kayak for a day out on the river.

5. Anything You Plan on Returning

We can't believe we even have to say this, but don't add gifts to your registry with the intention of returning them. While this is a more rare occurrence, it does happen, particularly if a couple is aiming for a big gift card to a store through multiple returned items. At best, you're making a lot of extra work for yourself when you're back from your honeymoon; at worst, you're asking for a really uncomfortable interaction with guests if they happen to find out you unnecessarily returned an item they bought you off of a wish list you created. (See how that could look really bad?) If you're hoping for contributions towards a larger item—like, say, a couch from Crate & Barrel—simply add a few gift cards or a cash fund to your registry, so guests can help fund your dream purchase in a totally above-board way.

6. A Ton of Pricey Items

When it comes to what not to put on your wedding registry, flooding it with over-the-top expensive items should be avoided. While there are no hard-and-fast rules regarding wedding registry price points, it's always a good idea to provide guests with a mix of options, so they can spring for something within their budget without feeling like they have to spend more than they're comfortable with. If your wedding registry is riddled only with items in the $200-and-up range, you could end up alienating your guests—leaving them discouraged and feeling embarrassed that they can't buy you what you "want" for the occasion. "I think the main thing is to ensure you're not asking for items that are too expensive," says Meier. "There should be items of all different price ranges. A few bigger priced items may be included, as people often chip in on group gifts, however, overall there should be a nice mix of price points so all guests can find something that fits their budget." What a balanced wedding registry looks like is different from couple to couple, but make sure you consider additional expenses your guest may incur in order to attend your wedding—such as travel expenses, appropriate attire, hotel accommodations and more—when you're putting your list together.

7. Wedding Decor and Expenses

Another big no-no when it comes to inappropriate things to put on your wedding registry: anything related to wedding decor or expenses. Funding and executing the big day should be kept between you and your partner (as well as any monetary contributors, like your parents) and should never be put on your guests as a responsibility. To that end, don't add anything wedding-related to your registry, whether that's a dozen lanterns to dot the tables with, a welcome sign for cocktail hour or a cash fund to help pay for your dream DJ. "It's simply not appropriate to list any items that you plan to use at the ceremony or reception venue on your wedding registry," says Vernon-Thompson. "A guest should not see or use an item that they purchased for you, as a couple, at either event. That seems as if you could not afford the items you desired for your wedding and needed your guests to provide them, which is certainly not proper etiquette and definitely not a good look!"