7 alternative wedding registry ideas

This post comes from Meg Favreau at partner blog Wise Bread.

I don't want to buy my friends an $80-plus stainless steel trash can. And I certainly do not expect them to buy one for me. Or a soap dispenser, or ice tongs or many of the other trappings that traditionally make up a wedding registry.

Sure, getting new stuff is nice, and I love the idea of helping a new couple out. But so many registries for weddings I've been to have felt impersonal, and they're often filled with lots of wants and very few needs.

As a guest, you're at the mercy of the happy couple. But if you're planning to get married soon, here are some alternative ideas for your registry. (See also: "25 awesome, useful gifts.")

Home improvement stores

If you want to make sure you'll get wedding gifts that you'll actually use, register somewhere that provides useful gifts. Check out tool-heavy stores like Sears, or create a registry using the Amazon Wish List feature or a tool like MyRegistry. Both allow you to include items from sites across the Internet on your list. (Post continues below.)

Honeymoon fund

Want an awesome honeymoon? Have other people pay for it! There are lots of registries, such as Honey Fund, that allow guests to not only fund your trip, but choose to pay for certain experiences, such as meals out or snorkeling trips.

Home down-payment fund

Similar to the honeymoon idea, you can ask for donations for a goal such as buying a house. And yup -- there are sites just for that too, such as Hatch My House.

Charitable donations

If you really don't want or need anything from your wedding guests, say so. But there will almost always be the person who insists on giving something. Designate a favorite charity that your guests can donate to in your name. Using a site like Just Give makes it easy.

Items you already use

Register at a store like Target for things you already use and buy regularly, such as shampoo or cleaning products.

Things for the actual wedding

Instead of asking for post-wedding gifts, ask friends and family to donate funds, items or services for the actual ceremony and reception. Your wedding gets paid for, and everybody gets to enjoy your presents.

• Smart Spending on the go: Get our app for Android or iPhone
  

Cash

It may not be personal, but it's always useful. Plus it allows you to think about one less thing during the busy time leading up to your wedding. When you're already under stress, do you really want to get in an argument over which plates you want to use for the next 20 years?

What are your favorite alternative wedding gifts or registries?

More on Wise Bread and MSN Money:

• Alternative wedding ideas for big savings 
• Great sites for online wedding shopping 
• 15 fun things to buy for under $5
• Calculator: How much house can you afford?
• Common wedding day disasters
• Beating the $27,000 wedding