Ask Abby
Although this questions isn’t directly related to wedding style or decor, I wanted to share it with you because I know how difficult wedding registries can be!
Q5 – My wedding is set for June 21, 2008 (the Summer Solstice) and it’s time for us to register for gifts. Being typical NYers, we don’t have much space. So, I’m trying to keep our registry as simple as possible. That being said, I’m trying to decide whether to register for china. I have very simple everyday plates (white 365 IKEA plates) that I see no need to replace, but I am considering registering for “fancy plates (and cups, and saucers, you get the picture).
It would be great if you could do a post on China patterns. I am desperately seeking clean, simple china patterns (perhaps with a touch of whimsy).
A5 – I am one of those girls whose knees get weak when she shops for china. Registering for china was one of my very favorite things to do and really, it made me feel like SUCH a bride. So, I think that if you are looking for something simple, with a touch of whimsy, these patterns are perfect…
Top Left by Vera Wang, Top Right by Babara Berry for Wedgewood, Bottom Left by Kate Spade, Bottom Right by Vera Wang
I have the Grand Gourmet by Vera Wang, though I ordered fun salad plates in a different, but coordinating pattern. I looooove them. The key to justifying china, however, is to USE IT! Break out the china when you have guests over for Chinese food or when you have an impromptu brunch with family. They are a bit more fragile than regular dishes, and shouldn’t be dishwashed, but a good set of china will last a lifetime.
One last note, I chose my china pattern to coordinate with my mom’s…if we ever need more, we have an extra set!
26 Comments about “Ask Abby”
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I love traditional, yet clean and simple design.
This is the style I went with.
http://www.lenox.com/cat/index.cfm?fuseaction=prod&pid=5866&kf=55&cat=din&subcat=china&flt=fin&subflt=wcpt " rel="nofollow">http://www.lenox.com/cat/index.cfm?fuseaction=prod&pid=5866&kf=55&cat=din&subcat=china&flt=fin&subflt=wcpt >
We wanted something traditional with a modern edge. We chose Waterford's "Presage" china.
http://macys.weddingchannel.com/catalog/fds/macysguestview.action?retailer_registry_uid=304955600&upc=000000024258387263&qr=12&qn=12 " rel="nofollow">http://macys.weddingchannel.com/catalog/fds/macysguestview.action?retailer_registry_uid=304955600&upc=000000024258387263&qr=12&qn=12 >
I love kate spade's patterns for lenox - they are clean and modern with some great accents. martha stewart's new china for wedgewood is whimsical, but a little more traditional. Bloomingdale's has some cool china too - Monique Lhuillier and Thomas O'Brien have lines that they sell there that are modern and different. Ultimately I registered for Kate Spade's Downing Street. It is clean and simple and I like how it incorporates gold and platinum.
my wedding is the same day!
we're skipping fancy bone china in favor of dinnerware that's great for every day use but also elegant enough for entertaining. so we picked a mix of juliska's "petit singe" -- there's your whimsy -- and "berry and thread", which is a bit more feminine. it's reasonably priced and apparently incredibly durable and long-lasting. also beautiful.
see it here: http://www.juliska.com/our-collections/ceramics/ " rel="nofollow">http://www.juliska.com/our-collections/ceramics/ >
I also really love the Kate Spade lines. Also, there are some new Simply Lenox lines at BBB that I think are pretty in more of a modern way. Lastly, we registered at Crate & Barrel for some white china, but they also have a new blue and white set that I think is really nice.
We registered for Juliska "berry and thread" it's the perfect combination of simple,chic and elegant! www.juliska.com
We registered for Juliska "berry and thread" it's the perfect combination of simple,chic and elegant! www.juliska.com
We registered for Wedgwood's Night and Day collection - http://www.wedgwoodusa.com/shop/collection.asp?id=475&cat=&terms =." rel="nofollow">http://www.wedgwoodusa.com/shop/collection.asp?id=475&cat=&terms=. > It's fairly simple but has a 'mix and match' feel with the checks and stripes.
It's also special to us because it was the china used at the Bed & Breakfast we were staying in when we got engaged.
I love the plain white bone china we registered for at Crate and Barrel: http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=20&f=22801&grid=2435837&fromLocation=grlist " rel="nofollow">http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=20&f=22801&grid=2435837&fromLocation=grlist >
It's very thin and delicate-feeling, but so far has proved surprisingly durable (crossing fingers)! Food looks beautiful served on it.
We're doing this Kate Spade one, which we felt has a little more whimsy than typical china! The bow makes it seem perfect for festive occasions!
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=253052&PseudoCat=se-xx-xx-xx.esn_results " rel="nofollow">http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=253052&PseudoCat=se-xx-xx-xx.esn_results >
I second the Kate Spade, but we went with silver dragonflies for whimsy:
http://www1.bloomingdales.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=5164&CategoryID=8246&PageID=8238*1*24*-1*-1*12 " rel="nofollow">http://www1.bloomingdales.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=5164&CategoryID=8246&PageID=8238*1*24*-1*-1*12 >
But also the beautiful white china pattern has concentric circles which we loved as well! Very fun, but usable for company.
http://www1.bloomingdales.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=29326&CategoryID=8286&PageID=8286*1*24*-1*-1*10 " rel="nofollow">http://www1.bloomingdales.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=29326&CategoryID=8286&PageID=8286*1*24*-1*-1*10 >
Check out Jaune de Chrome. Their stuff is totally distinct from everything else out there - and it incorporates some color without being busy or fussy. It's expensive, but its modern and chic. http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod36780045&parentId=cat12670747&masterId=cat3520751&index=26&cmCat=cat000000cat000553cat3520749cat3520750cat3520751cat12670747 " rel="nofollow">http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod36780045&parentId=cat12670747&masterId=cat3520751&index=26&cmCat=cat000000cat000553cat3520749cat3520750cat3520751cat12670747 >
http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod36780043&parentId=cat12670747&masterId=cat3520751&index=19&cmCat=cat000000cat000553cat3520749cat3520750cat3520751cat12670747 " rel="nofollow">http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod36780043&parentId=cat12670747&masterId=cat3520751&index=19&cmCat=cat000000cat000553cat3520749cat3520750cat3520751cat12670747 >
I registered for these Tord Boontje Tablestories place settings. The red and blue ones are super bold. That said, if you get the white ones like we did, you get pretty white china that has clean, modern shapes, but Boontje's illustrations give them this really whimsical nature. It takes people a few minutes to notice the pattern after they sit down for dinner, but they are always super delighted when they do. Tablestories comes in a few different editions, but the dishes of all of the patterns have the same shape, so you can mix and match, which can be a great way to create a cohesive-looking table that is still whimsical and fun.
http://www.modernpoverty.com " rel="nofollow">http://www.modernpoverty.com >
Ladies,
Thanks so much for the suggestions. So fun to see my question posted!! Best wishes to you all on your planning, especially Sarah who will be celebrating on the same day -- would love to hear more about your wedding BTW. I'm still undecided on china, but we have decided to go with everyday china. I'm leaning towards this set:
http://www.etabletop.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=MOOP " rel="nofollow">http://www.etabletop.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=MOOP >
I'd also get 12 of these plates (just to spice things up on occasion):
http://www.etabletop.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=my_china_rim_emperor_01 " rel="nofollow">http://www.etabletop.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=my_china_rim_emperor_01 >
(A little pricey, I know, but aren't they stunning!!)
My wedding is the same day too! Are you doing anything special for the summer solstice?
I have been unable to think of a way to celebrate the summer solstice, but I haven't given up hope on finding a way to make this happen.
My wedding is black-tie optional and being held inside (admittedly, not the best way to celebrate the summer solstice). I'm allowing my five maids/matrons to wear a black dress of their choosing and introducing colors through the flowers (a combination of marigold, magenta, orange and gold -- think Monsoon wedding).
Do let me know if you think of anything you're willing to share.
We registered for the wedgwood signet platnium collection because it is clean and timeless, but to spice it up on occasion, we also registered a few piece from the wedgwood jasper conran chinoiserie line. It adds some color and variety, while still remaining chic and elegant.
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=172121&CategoryID=30379&LinkType=EverGreen " rel="nofollow">http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=172121&CategoryID=30379&LinkType=EverGreen >
I registered for the Vera Lace (top left) but in platinum, as opposed to gold. Love it!
I appreciate the fact that the salad plate is ornamental and the rest is pretty basic.
I just found the place setting that I'm registering for and I love it. Very delicate and modern, yet classic at the same time. It's the Villeroy & Boch "Golden Garden Pearls". You can mix and match the floral with the Pearl. . it really is amazing.
http://www.villeroy-boch.com/en/ca/home/products/tischkultur/dinnerware.html?artikel=1046282630 " rel="nofollow">http://www.villeroy-boch.com/en/ca/home/products/tischkultur/dinnerware.html?artikel=1046282630 >
I'm so happy to see that so many people love the Juliska berry and thread, too. That's what we registered for in white with the green chargers and green bread and butter plates. That's our every day pattern. We also registered for Vera Lace in Platinum for our fine china.
Unbelievably good ideas here, and all can be done by most any craft person. Thanks for all the info!
Unbelievably good ideas here, and all can be done by most any craft person. Thanks for all the info!
Glad to see others who registered for something a little less formal for their wedding china. We registered for Vietri Incanto (www.vietri.com). It is all white but comes in 8 different patterns. We registered for a mix and match of all patterns! It's very subtle. It's a little less formal than traditional china and I think we will love using it on a more regular basis. We registered for Fiestaware (a mix and match of all colors) for our everyday dishes and we love that too. We got married October 18, 2008 and I think one of the best parts of the planning process was registering for (and receiving!) the china that we will have our whole lives and someday pass on to our grandchildren.
You know you don't have to create your wedding gift list for a specific store; when you http://www.wrapd.com " rel="nofollow">create a wedding gift list with Wrapd, you can add wishes from any store.
I guess it's too late. You might have tried some traditional Chinese patterns like cherry blossoms and other flowers.
Thank you for your post, honestly, can you sign up as a author for wikipedia because the current pages in there for our hobby is dross. I can't say I agree completely with it but I agree with it on the most part and I definitely applaud your effort in putting it so succinctly.