Wedding bells, whistles, things

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The tight corset of wedding registries limiting couples to elegant tableware has loosened to include the whole house, the back yard and even the honeymoon.

Today's engaged couples are registering less often for the china, silver and crystal of their mothers' generation, says Bonnie Schwartz, owner of Bonnie Schwartz & Co., a wedding consultant and event planner in Bethesda.

"Rather, they're registering for the Crate & Barrel, fun type of things," Ms. Schwartz says. "They just want fun things that can be mixed and matched. They're into cooking and entertaining, and they're registering for good cookware and kitchen appliances."

In the past few decades, couples have become more casual and informal in the gifts they hope guests will purchase for their weddings and bridal showers.

Some couples continue to register for more traditional items, such as dinnerware, flatware, cookware and linens. More often, they register for a wish list catering to their particular interests, such as sports equipment; camping gear; outdoor furniture and grills; furniture for their home; power tools; bathroom spa accessories; home office supplies; organizers; special-interest classes in such subjects as gourmet cooking or pottery; and additions to their movie, music or book collections.

They are asking for monetary gifts and signing on to financial registries for house down payments or moving costs, honeymoon registry services for honeymoon donations, and charity Web sites for family and friends to donate to their favorite charities.

"Most of our couples are still doing the mix, still wanting the nice china, but they also want to register at Home Depot and REI for camping equipment," says Carol Marino, a wedding planner and designer who owns A Perfect Wedding in Fairfax. "A lot of brides still want the china, crystal and flatware, and some of the guys want something different."

Couples generate their registries based on their wants, needs and tastes.

"It's all a personal choice what registrants choose. It depends on if they're starting out, have leftovers from college or are joining two homes," says Chrissy Yonaites, project leader for store operations at Crate & Barrel, a retail company headquartered in Northbrook, Ill., that sells housewares and furniture.

Couples are marrying later and marrying a second and third time. The average age for first marriages is 27 for women and 29 for men, according to the Conde Nast Bridal Group, publishers of Brides, Modern Bride and Elegant Bride.