Selecting your wedding registry is one of the most exciting parts of planning. It’s where you start defining your future together, whether that means furnishing a home, saving for a down payment, or funding a dream honeymoon.

Today's couples want options that go beyond just housewares. They need a system that is easy for them and easy for their guests. We’ve analyzed the top platforms to help you compare discounts, features, and flexibility to confidently create the perfect wish list.

Our Top Picks: The Best Registries for Every Couple

Here are our top recommendations based on specific needs and priorities:

• Zola: For an all-in-one experience
• Amazon: For product variety
• Crate & Barrel: For traditional & luxury home goods
• Joy: For integrated registry
• MyRegistry: For niche items & universal linking

Registry Feature Comparison

We compare the key details of the top registry platforms, focusing on discounts, fees, and return policies.

Registry Site	Completion Discount*	Cash Fund Fee	Return Window	Unique Advantage
Zola	20% (6 months)	Zero fees (via Venmo)	90 Days	Exchange Before Shipping, Controlled Delivery, Add gifts from any store
The Knot	20% (6 months, one-time)	2.5% (Paid by guest)	90 Days	Aggregates external registries
Joy	20% (6 months, one-time)	Zero fees (via Venmo)	90 Days	Add gifts from any store
Amazon	20% (90 days for items, one-time, shipped and sold by Amazon	Gift cards suggested	180 Days	Tracks guests gifting for easy thank yous
Crate & Barrel	15% (6 months)	Crate & Barrel gift card	90 days (from event date)	Private registry events, In-store shopping
MyRegistry	No	2.5%	Varies by vendor	One link, multiple registries

The Top Wedding Registry Sites Compared

Zola

Overview: Zola is an all-in-one registry for couples who value convenience and seamless planning. It combines a wide selection of physical gifts with flexible cash funds, all integrated with Zola's free planning tools, like wedding website, gift tracker, and thank you card manager.

Pricing: Free (for platform); Zero-fee cash funds via venmo, or 2.5% fee on cash contributions for credit card transactions (paid by guest or couple) .

Key Features:

• Post-Wedding Discount: 20% off remaining items for six months after the wedding
• Logistics: Unique features like Exchange Before Shipping and Controlled Delivery
• Returns: 90-day return policy for most items
• Cash Funds: Flexible creation of cash funds for unlimited options
• Integration: Universal registry linking is available

Pros:

• Maximum convenience due to integrated website, guest list, and registry.   
• High completion discount (20%) for 6-months that can be used multiple times
• Unique stress-saving features like exchanging gifts for credit before they ship
• Zero-fee cash funds if paid via Venmo
• Sync multiple registries or add gifts from any store, for one universal registry

Cons:

• 2.5% fee on cash contributions if paid by credit card (can be paid by guests or couple)

Amazon

Overview: Amazon's registry is especially strong for couples seeking a vast selection of products across every category, from tech gadgets to home basics. It also offers a generous return window.

Pricing: Free.

Key Features:

• Post-Wedding Discount: One-time 20% for items shipped and sold by Amazon One-time only.
• Returns: 180-day return window
• Group Gifting: Available for higher-priced items

Pros:

• Largest selection of products available on any registry platform
• Generous 180-day return policy

Cons:

• Lacks the curated feel or integrated planning tools of specialized wedding platforms   
• Cash funds via gift cards

Crate & Barrel: Best for Traditional & Luxury Home Goods

Overview: A specialty retailer focusing on curated, high-end home furnishings and decor. This is an ideal registry for couples focused on upgrading their kitchen, dining, and living spaces.

Pricing: Free

Key Features:

• Post-Wedding Discount: 15% off remaining registry items for six months
• Returns: 90-days (from event date)
• Brands: Options to add from Crate & Barrel, CB2, and Crate & Kids

Pros:

• High-quality, curated selection of luxury items.
• Exclusive In-Store Events

Cons:

• Completion discount is lower than competitors (15%)
• Cash funds not supported (via Crate & Barrel gift cards only)
• No universal linking or adding gifts from other stores

Joy

Overview: Joy is a modern platform praised for its clean interface and focus on guest management and cash funding. It provides an excellent solution for couples prioritizing savings goals.

Pricing: Free. Zero-fee cash funds via venmo, or 2.5% fee on cash contributions for credit card transactions (paid by guest) .

Key Features:

• Cash Funds: Zero fees for cash funds when guests use peer-to-peer apps like Venmo or CashApp
• Post-Wedding Discount: 20% discount on select Joy Shop items for six months, available one-time use
• Returns: 90-day return window
• Integration: Universal registry linking is available

Pros:

• Zero-fee cash funds if paid via Venmo
• Integrated website and guest management tools

Cons:

• A 2.5% fee is charged to the gift-giver for credit card contributions
• Smaller, less integrated physical product store compared to competitors

MyRegistry

Overview: This platform functions as a pure universal registry, designed for maximum flexibility. It allows couples to consolidate all existing registries and easily add niche or specialty items from any online retailer worldwide. However, many competitors like Zola or Joy, now offer similar functionality.

Pricing: Free

Key Features:

• Universal Capability: Seamless aggregation of external registries (Amazon, Target, etc.)
• Item Selection: Allows listing items from any store worldwide using a browser button
• Fund Flexibility: Includes options for cash funds, gift cards, and charitable giving
• Mobile Tools: Features mobile app scanning for in-store items

Pros:

• Maximum freedom to pick products from any store, boutique, or specialty site
• Consolidates multiple gift lists into a single link for guests

Cons:

• No integrated fulfillment/shipping—couples must manage logistics and adhere to the return policies of individual external retailers
• No guaranteed completion discount (varies by linked store)

Expert Tips for Building Your Registry

To ensure your registry is helpful and successful, follow these planning tips.

• Strategically planning for cash funds Make monetary gifts feel special and tangible by creating specific, personalized funds. Instead of listing a general "Cash Fund," create specific goals like a "Dinner for Two in Paris Fund" or a "New Kitchen Appliance Fund." This customization helps guests feel connected to your goals.

"Personalizing your cash funds is key - this helps your guests feel connected to what you’re looking for, and more inclined to purchase something that has meaning", Melissa Trentadue, Zola’s Couple Advisor.

• Maximizing group gifting for big purchases If you want to include big-ticket items like furniture or a high-end coffee maker, use group gifting features. This allows multiple guests to contribute smaller amounts toward one expensive item, making it accessible for everyone to participate comfortably.
• When to use multiple registries If you decide to use multiple registries (e.g., Crate & Barrel for plates and Amazon for a mixer), be sure to use a universal registry feature to sync them all into one central spot. This simplifies the shopping experience for your friends and family.

Wedding Registry Etiquette FAQs

• When should you create your registry? Create your registry at least six months before the big day. This ensures your list is complete before the first major gifting event, like your wedding shower. Make sure the list is on your wedding website & is live by the time save-the-dates or invitations to your event goes out, so guests have easy access to the information. 
• What items should you not put on your registry? Registry items should be for your shared life together. Avoid listing items that are clearly for only one person, such as clothing or beauty products Also, while group gifting is helpful, keep the number of super expensive items at a minimum to ensure there are options available for all guest budgets. 
• Do guests need to buy both a wedding shower gift and a wedding gift? Yes, according to standard etiquette, guests traditionally provide two separate gifts: one for the wedding shower and one for the wedding day itself. 
• How many gifts should you register for? A helpful guideline is to register for 2 to 3 gifts per expected guest. This provides enough options across all price points to ensure everyone can find something they are comfortable purchasing.

Ready to build your all-in-one registry? Sign up for Zola today and check out our full suite of free planning tools.

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