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Congratulations! This is fresh in my brain b/c my buck-convention sis-in-law (of 7 years) just announced this week that she reaaaally wishes now that she had registered when they got engaged/married. My initial response was that she shouldn't say that around either set of parents, as they all threw a fit and I was on the receiving end of the "Can't you convince them?!?" phone calls! :-)

All that said, in addition to a few bigger ticket/splurge items, I agree with what Jerzee said above--get all of the basics but get the GOOD stuff now, while people really want to get you what you need. Been living on your own for a while? Great--I'm sure your rubber spatulas all need replacing, along with the plastic measuring cups, wooden spoons, older food processor, etc. Definitely add a Microplane (or 2) to the list; that's an indispensible tool, imo! A Crock Pot. And ask yourselves what kind of home cooks/bakers you are, and add accordingly to the list! For that matter, if you love baking more than cooking, it seems like it's more important to add cooking items than baking ones if you already have good baking tools. Get a LOT of good wine glasses if you like to entertain...same for table linens and serving pieces. Get a good roasting pan (or 2). Decide if you think you'll use fine china, or if you'd prefer (and use) a great set of dishes that's more casual--and then get service for 16. Get matching silverware. And don't forget things like great kitchen towels, cookbooks, etc. Gift certificates are always good too, as you'll likely be overwhelmed with things for the first year, but then you'll start to realize what you're missing and can then fill in the holes. Oh, yeah--and have FUN doing it. Cheers!

Headsmack. :-)

My favorite, can't live without items: Williams & Sonoma personalized spatulas in all sizes. Kitchen Aid, Cuisinart food processor, Food Saver-vacuum sealer, Global knife set $$$$, and Le Creuset grill pan and french oven $$$. I almost felt guilty for asking for such high priced things. But believe it or not my registry was cleaned out. My husband and I went to culinary school so our loved ones knew what we really wanted. For more affordable things I went to Bed Bath & Beyond for stuff like veggie peelers and can openers. Congrats and most of all have fun with the process. It's a once in a lifetime experience to use a hand scanner and get to zap everything you want.

Congratulations on your wedding! Add the Mario Batalli risotto pot to your list. It's enameled cast iron and comes in great colors!

I recommend all of the above, especially the microplane and anything from William-Sonoma. What you might want to do if you register at WS is to ask for a variety of the food items, such as Madagascar Vanilla, salt sampler, the cocktail mixes are terrific, and the meat rubs are also excellent. This would help start the pantry stocking process.

Congratulations! I'd definitely register at Williams-Sonoma, and maybe someplace more universal, like Macy's. That said, keep in mind that the best gifts are things you might not want to buy for yourself. I'd ask for...

Stand Mixer -- deLonghi or Kitchenaid
All-Clad Electric Slow Cooker
Coffee maker (if you drink coffee, get a really good one, like a Bunn)
Electric water kettle (if you've never had one, you'll be hooked)
Good quality, non-stick roasting pan, with handles, big enough for a turkey
Stock pot (12-quart or larger)
Pasta plates, porcelain (these are SO handy for SO many dishes besides pasta)
Serving platters and bowls of various sizes (never too many)
Nice, basic stemware (if you drink wine at all regularly, get lots)
Pepper mill with ceramic grinder
Porcelain casseroles/baking dishes in various sizes/shapes, commercial quality
Pyrex glass oven to fridge storage dishes with plastic lids
Key knives, really good quality -- chef, paring, carving, bread
Key cookware pieces, based on what you do -- e.g., a good, stainless, coppercore sautee pan is indespensible, saucier, dutch oven, etc.

Speaking from personal experience (I'm old and twice-married), I'd strongly encourage you to skip the formal, decorated china unless you're REALLY into it. Instead, get some high quality, plain white porcelain or bone china, and get a lot of it -- service for a MINIMUM of 12, with 16 or more being even better. Again, get PLAIN WHITE in a brand/style that's been around a long time.

Boring, I know, but I promise you'll never regret it. It's durable, pretty, unobtrusive, goes with everything. You can use it every single day. It goes in the oven, microwave, and dishwasher. It never goes out of style. It is easy to add and replace pieces down the road. It can be easily dressed up for special occasions with chargers, table linens, etc. And, because it'll be less expensive than formal china, you might receive more place settings as gifts! ;-)

Everyone has given great suggestions! I don't have much to add, but these are items I reach for frequently
pyrex glass measuring (liquids) cups in various sizes - the 2 cup versions I have are indispensable. Ask for 2 of each so you always have a clean one available!
various shapes and sizes of heat resistant spatulas
lots and lots of dish towels and cloths
digital scale
digital thermometer
nice serving utensils- especially spoons! I got new silverware when I remarried in March. We only requested one set but got two and I'm glad we did. I have plenty of silverware for entertaining and have double the serving utensils. If you're registering for silverware make sure the service set is included and see if the service set is available separately and add that to your registry. I don't think you can ever have too many serving utensils!

Best of luck!

Oh, AuntJone... you hit some that I was thinking of and missed! Thanks for a great catch!

Liquid measures -- yes, two of each. Be sure to get a 4 cup size. I use the 2 cup the most, but just LOVE my 4 cup for heating stuff in the microwave.

Digital scale -- so glad I bought one; don't know how I lived without it! Get one that goes up to 5 lbs and does grams and you're all set.

Thermometer -- digital instant read, awesome.

Towels/cloths -- be sure to get NON-terry or you'll have lint everywhere!!! I love my flour-sack towels and microfiber cloths. I get all of them in white so I can wash in super hot water with bleach. I always have enough to get me through two or three weeks with a fresh one everyday. So easy!