And that’s having a dramatic effect on some couples’ bridal registries. Still, it’s important to have items on your registry that are truly wanted, even if some seem extravagant. Ending up with a bunch of unwanted gifts is even more impractical than adding those crystal candlesticks if you’re sure they’re going to get regular use.

“Whether or not you’re registering in healthy economic times, it’s always important that your registry have a well-balanced list of items that first, you really want, and second, are at price points to accommodate all of your guests’ budgets,” advises Joy Salvador, division vice president of Macy’s Wedding and Gift Registry.

And even though big-ticket items might seem over-the-top, they can actually be a more cost-effective option for groups to split during tough times, adds Salvador. “Friends or co-workers can group together to get you that luggage set or cookware set, and will still feel great about being able to give you a wonderful gift.”
Some are even going as far as adding very large items like washers and dryers to their registries. And still others are forgoing all the “stuff” and asking for the home itself.

MyDreamHomeRegistry.com was created in order to allow new couples to begin their lives together, despite tough times. It’s a place for guests to give money toward home renovations, furnishings, or even a down payment on an actual home.

Brides who choose to go the traditional route and set up their registry with a store, should look for locations that offer the most value for registering there. Macy’s, for instance, offers the Registry Star Rewards program in which couples can earn reward dollars for the gifts purchased off their registry, as well as anything they buy from Macy’s themselves. “After their wedding they’ll receive a gift card with all of the rewards they’ve earned,” says Salvador. Other stores have incentives as well. Crate & Barrel and Bed, Bath & Beyond, for example, both offer 10 percent off of any item not purchased by guests from the registry.

One thing you may want to reconsider at this time, though, is signing up for gift cards. Gift cards may prove to be a riskier purchase for your guests in the event that any stores go unexpectedly bankrupt. If you do receive gift cards at your shower or wedding, be sure to spend them soon rather than stashing them away for later use. In these tough times, you can just never be sure what will happen.