A wedding registry is a wish list, but couples need to keep sight of its true intent - a convenience for loved ones wishing to give the betrothed gifts. It takes some finesse to find that perfect balance. Experts say the key is to start early, plan for the future and keep guests in mind.

"Setting up a bridal registry is an opportunity to start with the best of everything," said Bari Fagin of Bed, Bath & Beyond. "Brides are always looking for a set of cookware, they are always looking for a set of knives, and most brides assume at some point they are going to bake, so they are always looking for their stand mixer.

"But, you want to include all the things you wish you had, not just the things you think you should have.

"Tastes change. You don't want to say, 'I wish I had registered for fine china when I had the chance,'" Fagin said. "This is the time to look ahead."

Tricia Stout and Rex Gray registered at Bed Bath & Beyond, Famous-Barr and Sears for their showers - four altogether - being thrown by friends, family and co-workers.

They chose the three stores for variety and registered for gifts ranging from the traditional - kitchen utensils, appliances, pots and pans, dishes, glasses, silverware - to the more contemporary - a fireproof safe, a shop vac, a humidifier and even an emergency radio.

People suggested they register for big-ticket items such as a washer and dryer, but the couple declined. Topping the wish list for Stout, a 22-year old teacher from Topeka, Ill., was "the good china from Famous." Gray, 25 of Butler, Ill., hoped to unwrap a KitchenAid mixer at one of the showers.

Don't be afraid to look beyond traditional wedding gifts. A set of crystal champagne flutes would be nice, but what about the day-to-day necessities? Practical items like cleaning supplies or storage organizers are just as important.

Nancy Green of Glenarm, Ill., said that of three bridal showers she had attended, the most memorable was the least traditional.

Green said a "garage shower" was thrown by family friends who took the concept of a bridal shower, moved it outdoors, added a cookout, and limited gifts to those used in or around the garage. One of the gifts came wrapped in leaf bags, secured with extension cords and tied up with a bow fashioned from unused rolls of duct tape, she said.

Also less traditional but nonetheless welcome in many modern households are electronics, which make up a growing trend in bridal registries, according to Tari Bird, who oversees hard lines at Target.

"Video games, compact discs and DVDs are growing in popularity as men make more of the choices," she said. "You can usually tell whether it's the bride or the groom making the decision based on the item."

Still, traditional style seems to prevail said to Tina Klopfer, who has been a bridal consultant at Famous-Barr for four years.

Brides seem to prefer casual formal when it comes to china, bypassing the platinum-edged china for a plain or gold edge pattern, she said.

Famous-Barr offers a registry checklist and most people follow it fairly closely. Klopfer has yet to receive any unusual registry requests. In fact, most brides consistently choose casual china, stand mixers, bar sets and crystal at the store. Calpholon pots are also increasingly popular, she said.

Fagin advised that listing a variety of items at different prices gives guests "the leeway to choose something that they are comfortable with."

Crafting the perfect registry takes time and requires input from both the bride and the groom. It's important to start early and involve your partner in the process.

"The registry is for all of the different stages in the wedding process," Fagin said. "It's for engagement gifts, bridal shower gifts and wedding gifts, so it's never too early to start. Once you get engaged, friends and family will be looking to get you gifts. You might as well make it easy for them."

Like Stout and Grey, Emily Mocny and Jeremy Bell registered at three different stores. The most expensive (but practical) item they registered for? A Dyson vacuum, which costs just less than $550.

A registry may require an occasional tweaking. As guests purchase gifts, couples may need to replenish the list to maintain a balance between the pricey and the practical. Think of it as a work in progress. Many stores offer bridal registry consultants to help with the process.

"We've tried to take some of the stress and the initial work out if this," Fagin said. "Our in-store bridal consultants will walk you through a checklist of the basics. We can tell you how many towels you need to get started, then you can just focus on picking out what you like."

But when the talk of silver, crystal and china gets too much, don't be surprised if the groom-to-be runs to Sears where he can register for power tools and other manly gifts, Klopfer joked.

"Guys aren't very involved in the registry process. When they see the scanner, they get excited, but that only lasts about 15 minutes," she said. "Then they say, 'Whatever you want. Let's just get it done,' and wander off."

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