With all the stress of planning a wedding, there's one part that's great fun for the bride and groom — completing the gift registry.

The registry is the couple's wish list of all the items they would love to have for their home and new life together. While the traditional items, such as china, silver and crystal, remain popular, betrothed couples have broadened their horizons.

BARRY WILLIAMS/Special (ENLARGE)
Monica Turner and her fiance, Michael Thomas, add a pepper grinder to their bridal registry at Crate & Barrel at Lenox Square.
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"We encourage couples to register for the way they live today," said Bette Kahn, spokesperson for Crate & Barrel. "Things are more casual and informal than they were years ago. People's lifestyles are more hectic. They pick up dinner from a local carryout at the last minute or host pot-luck suppers. Casual dinnerware, fun glassware and mix-and-match home accessories can create a couple's style."

Couples who have lived on their own for a while or those entering a second marriage usually have the full complement of dinnerware and other household items.

"When couples are merging two households, their gift registry will be different from those getting married in their early 20s," Kahn said. "They can make the choice to have all new things, or they can add fun items that they ordinarily wouldn't buy, such as fondue pots or party and entertainment items."

Couples getting married for the first time generally do register for fine china, silver flatware and crystal. "It just depends on where they are in life," Kahn said. However, they may branch out beyond the traditional, as older couples and second-marrieds often do.

Home Depot and REI outdoor outfitters are two national retailers who have recognized that brides and grooms want more than fine china for wedding gifts.

"Research shows that a growing number of couples are registering for wedding gifts together," said Shelley Nandkeolyar, Home Depot's vice president of interactive marketing and eBusiness. "They are blending practical items, such as power tools and small appliances, with the more traditional tabletop and silver selections."

In 2003 alone, 2.4 million couples were married and $6 billion was spent through wedding registries, according to Condé Nast Bridal Infobank.

Home Depot began its online-only gift registry in March 2004 in response to numerous customer requests. "It's gotten a great response," said Jen King, spokesperson for Home Depot. "They're registering for power tools, grills, rugs, vacuum cleaners and even landscape lighting."

The trend toward more outdoor activities and an active lifestyle has supported the longtime REI gift registry, available online or by visiting a local retail store.

"I've seen people register for tents, sleeping bags, outdoor gear and even touring kayaks," said Lori Ennis, store manager with REI in Buford at the Mall of Georgia.

"People who are members of REI receive an 8 percent to 10 percent dividend back on all their purchases. The recipient and the giver both benefit."

Building a wedding registry is fun for the engaged couple, but it also has benefits, such as avoiding duplication of gifts and providing ideas for family and friends.

"People are often strapped for time, so they appreciate guidance in purchasing wedding gifts," Kahn said.

"If they still can't decide what to give, a gift certificate from a store where the couple is registered is the best gift of all. The couple can use several to purchase a larger item or they can buy something that wasn't given to them after the wedding."