Wedding Registry: Gift Suggestions and Advice

How to Set Up a Wedding Gift Registry for China, Stemware & Flatware

Mar 13, 2008 Gail Oliver

Everything brides need to know before registering for china dinnerware, crystal stemware and silver and stainless steel flatware for their bridal gift registry.

Setting up a wedding registry for gifts can be difficult decisions because you are making choices that will last a lifetime. So it helps to be as informed as possible in knowing what to register for and to choose the right dining items for your gift registry.

Wedding Registry Gift - Fine China Dinnerware

Fine dinner china or dinnerware is divided into two categories: fine bone china and fine china. Fine bone china is the slightly better than fine china in terms of quality because it is strong and doesn’t chip. A good option for dishes for both formal dining and everyday is also porcelain. There is not really a price difference between fine bone china, fine china or even porcelain. In fact, price seems to have more to do with pattern than with the material the dish is made from. More casual dinnerware would be made from stoneware, earthenware or glass. Always check the bottom of the dish to see whether it can go in the dishwasher, microwave or freezer.

Typically ten place settings are needed as that will cover off time in between washings and if a piece breaks. With china and porcelain the place settings themselves and the basic pieces are not too expensive, but rather it is the add-ons that are usually costly, such as vegetable platters, gravy boats, and sugar bowls. In fact, a sugar bowl may cost the same as a five-piece place setting.

Bowl size and cup size are also personal preference as they are the two pieces that are not standard size and differ with each pattern. Dinnerware can have a pattern, but white is always considered a safe choice because it is classic, can go with any décor, and can easily be mixed and matched with other dishes. China can be rimmed in 22-karat gold or platinum for added elegance, but it can not go in the dishwasher or microwave.

Wedding Registry for Crystal Stemware

Top of the line stemware is usually hand cut, full lead crystal, which is lead glass that has been hand cut with detailed facets. Lead oxide is added to give the crystal more sparkle and sheen and makes it more difficult to break or chip. Since some people feel that lead is dangerous and may leach out of the glass into the liquid, so they are opting for stemware made from titanium crystal, magnesium crystal or plain glass.

As with china, you can also get stemware rimmed in either gold or platinum. If opting for high end crystal stemware, then also select a set of less expensive glass stemware for more casual use. Avoid lightweight, flared top wine glasses, as wine tends to easily spill out with any movement of the hand. A heavier, bowl shaped wine glass is a better choice.

Bridal Registry for Silver and Stainless Steel Flatware

Flatware comes in sterling silver or silver plate, which is the high end where it will cost anywhere from $150 to $700 for a five-piece set consisting of a dinner fork, salad fork, soup spoon, teaspoon and knife. As such, most people opt for stainless steel which is much more reasonably priced. If a very ornate, detailed pattern is desired, then sterling is the only option as the other finishes are not soft enough to be molded.

When buying stainless steel flatware, they will have numbers such as 18 10 or 18 8 stainless steel. The first number is the percentage of chromium and the second number is the percentage of nickel. The higher the number, the more resistant the material is to corrosion, and the longer it will last. Flatware comes with a gold, polished or matte finish. The matte finish won’t dull, and doesn’t require polishing.

When selecting a design, make sure the heads of the soup spoons are not too small to actually hold any liquid, or too big that they feel more like serving spoons. Also, decide how sharp of a knife is desired as with some sets the knife is quite dull. The biggest thing with flatware is does it feel good in the hand, therefore try not to make a decision based just on a picture.

NEXT >> Mother of Bride's Role in Wedding Planning

Choosing a wedding gift registry can be a tedious part of the wedding planning process, but selecting the right fine dinner china, stemware and flatware is a choice that will last a lifetime.

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