My Registry Part I: Fine China - The Hungry Bride

4-05-2009 @3:08AM MB said... Overall, I have found my China to be a waste of space, money, & time. Too many plates and details make you lose track of the important things...like the relationships formed around the table. Buy something more worthwhile with your money AND your guests' money.
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4-05-2009 @8:36AM betsyturner said... I got married in my early 20s in 2005... and registered for fine and everyday china. In fact, I think one of the ones in the picture (2nd row, far right) is ours!

I have only occasionally used it to this point, but I think you register for your lifetime together, not just your style that day/month/year. One day, I'll be hosting Thanksgivings, Christmases, birthday dinners... and I'll be glad to be able to set a nice table. (Spruced up with creative touches that match the cuisine and occasion, of course!)
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4-05-2009 @11:49AM fountain411 said... I have been using my Royal Doulton Carlyle china every day for 40+ years, for everything from hamburgers to roast saddle of venison. It goes into the dishwasher with everything else. Still looks great. Every meal with family and friends is, or should be, a celebration. The only thing I don't do is put it in the microwave--the gold trim causes sparks to fly!
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4-05-2009 @10:17AM bigsmashzone said... Go for it! It's a splurge you will probably never make yourself. I don't use mine as often as I could, but I love having it, especially for holidays and special occasions. www.mp3salem.com
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4-05-2009 @9:23PM AS said... We did not register for fine china, but I really wanted some, so we bought set off eBay. For $350, I got ~12 full place settings and many serving dishes. Any fill ins I needed (for instance, I got 11 salad dishes instead of 12), I could order from Replacements.com, as the pattern was fairly common. For us, it was a great solution, as we don't pull out the china that often.
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4-05-2009 @9:56PM DR said... I had to fight my mother for MONTHS to not register for china. We already had Fiestaware and loved it, so we just registered for all of their wonderful serving dishes and extras. This is very generational -- I couldn't believe how much my mom cared.

She did successfully pressure us into silver.
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4-06-2009 @9:34AM Laura said... I'm not registering for china because i will be receiving my great aunts fine french china. Instead I decided to register for unique individual table settings, preferably hand made. Most things in my kitchen are mismatched so I thought I should just go with it ;)
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4-06-2009 @2:07PM Christine said... As I watched my Mom's china languish away for years in the china cabinet, I knew I'd never buy any. I have two dozen white ceramic oval platters (10") with matching saucers from a food service shop (the plates say Ceramicor on the back), and lovely blue wachtersbach salad bowls. I have had many compliments on these plain plates, mostly because they are smaller than your average gigantor wide-lipped dinner plates, and you can actually fill your plate with the appropriate amount of food.

That said, I did inherit my grandma's fostoria crystal, and that is what we bring out for special occasions. I would register for a versatile set of dishes that can be dressed up, and a very nice set of crystal glasses/wine glasses/etc. for special occasions.

Besides, if you have kids, you'll use your 'precious' china even less. :)
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4-07-2009 @12:06AM dragonet2 said... When my father realized he was dying, he made sure there was one distinctive set of Lenox china for each of us three kids. We just haven't got them yet, we won't until mom passes (hoping that will be a long time).

But I really don't have that much use for it, our everyday stoneware and a few mixed pieces serve us very well and provide a uniform look if we're entertaining. Plus because we're a combined household, we have a lot of stuff that is still in boxes and may never get out.

we'll see.


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4-07-2009 @10:38AM Droplet said... No. On my sister's advice, I put no silverware or china on my lists. Why? "That's all you'll get," she said, and she was right. Eventually I caved when it looked like our wishlists were running low I put some silverware on and that's all we got after that.

I'm looking forward to inheriting (but not the circumstances) my in-law's wonderful set. In the meantime I can be fancy with what I have.
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4-08-2009 @2:45PM katie said... We already had everyday plates when we got married, and i knew that if i ever needed to replace them, i could afford to just go out and buy more. China, on the other hand, was something special that i knew i'd never convince my frugal side to buy.

Ultimately, we only registered for "special" items - china, crystal, vases, etc - that we knew we'd always remember as being from our wedding. No spatulas on our list! If I would (and could) buy it for myself, it didn't get added.

We've already used the china and crystal multiple times. Any Tuesday can be a special occasion if you want it to be, so why "save" the good stuff? As a kid, I loved setting the table for family dinners with my grandmother's silver and china, and i wanted to know that my kids could have the same experience.
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4-16-2009 @4:56PM ksloneker said... I'm going to register for china, silverware, and stemware because I don't need anything else. My fiance and I both have all the rest of a complete kitchen times two, so these are special things that I "saved" for when I get married. Of course, convincing him of that has been a little tough because he thinks modern couples don't use this sort stuff anymore, which I think is untrue. And based on what I've read, I seem to be right. We are both gourmet cooks and entertain a lot, so I tell him we will be using it a lot, but he's a bit put out by the fact that silverware can range from $350 to $1000 for a 5-piece place setting depending on what you get. That has been our one sticking area as I have finally got him to agree to the china and hopefully the crystal. Can't help it that he likes the silverware pattern that costs $1000! :-)
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