Today the latest statistics and trends from bridal registries were released by XO Group Inc, the masterminds between the top two wedding sites Weddingchannel.com and theKnot.com.

This is the 4th-annual The Knot Market Intelligence Bridal Registry Study that has been conducted and according to the press release it is considered “the most definitive report” on wedding registry research. Last year approximately 12,000 couples had their wish lists tracked so analysts could pick apart wedding registry decisions, influences, product, and retailer choices. The fraught decisions that could make or break a couple’s relationship especially if the wrong china pattern is selected.

"Since four out of five brides use and trust TheKnot.com and WeddingChannel.com, we are the only source that's able to provide this level of detail and insight into bridal registry behavior and trends," said Howard Ladd, director of insights at XO Group Inc. "The 2011 Bridal Registry Study offers unparalleled information and understanding of the multibillion-dollar gift registry industry and the mind-set of today's couples who register for wedding gifts.”  

The wedding gift market is an estimated $10 billion machine that subtlety hints at what a bride and groom absolutely must have before building a home and life together. Brides have the ability to openly search registries of complete strangers and friends on the websites of the country’s top retailers; this can create competition and peer pressure in our consumer culture.

What place does a wedding registry have in our society if couples are marrying later, moving in together earlier, or opting to live on their own or with roommates before marriage?

According to the study couples usually register at three stores for gifts and select about 153 items. While over half (53%) of these items are considered “practical” -kitchen appliances and bakeware being the most popular- how many are actually needed if one or both people in the relationship have some sort of home already established? Are couples using this as an opportunity to upgrade some of their items and if so, is that wasteful? Does a couple need a plastic salad spinner if they already have a bowl and two utensils for stirring? What happens to the old appliance when the shiny, new one is received? Does it go into the trash or the box destined for the thrift store?

The study says: “two in three couples (66%) labeled themselves as a ‘casual entertainer,’ and one in three couples (33%) described their registry as casual.”  Supporting the emergence of the casual couple is the decline of registering for fine china -once a staple in the bridal registry- in 2011 only 29% of couples asked for it.

Are couples creating lists comprised of dream items (luggage sets, mountain bikes, and game consoles) that are normally out of their income range? Is that wasteful or shrewd? After all, the registry eliminates duplicate gifts by creating an efficient list of exactly what a couple needs.

Emily Post’s website would like you to keep this in mind when selecting items for your registry: “It may sound obvious, but base your list on your lifestyle.” Do you have a three store registry lifestyle or one?