Registering... - The PASH Wedding Forums and Message Boards

Complicated Woman · #1 07-14-2006, 03:27 PM

Well, Tom and I are planning to start our registry next weekend and...

...I'm a little clueless!

I keep looking at all these different lists that are circulating...and here is my first question.

Do I really need fine china and everyday dinnerware? Will I look greedy registering for two sets of dishes? And how many place settings, exactly, will I need? I've never really been in a position to entertain before. Is six reasonable? Will I regret not getting eight?

And how much IS some of this stuff supposed to cost, anyway? Like, fine china, how much for a place setting? I've only ever bought super cheap dinnerware and flatware (and everything) and I don't want to register for things that are exorbitant and look like a jerk.

Do the prices at Bed, Bath, and Beyond look reasonable?

Help!!!

sparklesweetie · #2 07-14-2006, 03:38 PM

I registered there at BB&B....I loved it. I also didn't feel the great need to reigster for china, but DH wanted some so we did. However, no one bought us any, but it was $35/place setting I think. So I didn't think it was too bad. I'm also no help on the number of settings...lol. I'd focus more on the everyday dinnerware if you'd like new dishes. That's something you'd be more likely to get, because people know you'll use them more. (And get something dishwasher safe!!! Lol.)
BB&B can be expensive at times (i.e. Vera Wang dishes) but some of it's not. Just have to look. Their registry is awesome too, easy managment online, and you can go anytime to the store and play with the scanner thing.

Plus, the store just has awesome stuff. :-D (I'm biased, can you tell?)

justnmary · #3 07-14-2006, 03:40 PM

I had the same problem, but what I decided to do is register at Kohl's and Walmart (for everyday items) and made the decision that once we are married, we will go together and purchase the china and expensive items that we want....this way, we don't feel greedy and it gives us goals to save for other than retirement and vacations.

Complicated Woman · #4 07-14-2006, 03:48 PM

Ok...I think maybe I'll just get white porcelain everyday stuff that I can dress up with chargers and things if we're ever having a fancy dinner. Maybe a set of fancy salad plates and napkin rings to mix in? Can you do that?

Seriously, I only have two dishes and two bowls right now -- I'm like, dining impaired.

sparklesweetie · #5 07-14-2006, 04:35 PM

Of course you can do that! It's your house!! Lol. Going with white and then adding color with accesories is exactly what I'd do. (Actually what I wanted, but DH has a very hard time letting go of stuff we have already.) Would be very easy to change themes/colors, and not very expensive either. Plus, bone china is some of the strongest you can get. (If you go that way.) You can even layer placemats and stuff....and when you go register, there should be someone there at the store that sets up a little table in their dish/dining area with different items so you can actually see what it looks like put together. It's pretty spiffy.

Ah, hell, can I just come reigster with you?

Kim&Bob2004 · #6 07-14-2006, 05:25 PM

We are still waiting for our "fancy" table settings, but what I did was bought white plates with gold edging (much like the Mikasa we love) at Walmart after Christmas and it was way after Christmas --like April--so I got a great price on it, only 1 cup was chipped. Bob's mom had nicer table ware but only for 8, and we invited 9 or 10 for Thanksgiving. Anyway, I bought matching chargers. I had looked at the fancy stores and seen how they were made and then looked at walmart, and they are made the same way! Anyway, I bought my chargers at Walmart too and on sale. I think, personally that 10 is a good number for place settings. 6 is too small, even if you only have 2 children, you can never have more than 2 guests, and 8 seems like a better number but 12 seems like a lot and would you ever use all 12. So between 8 and 10 sounds good to me. Sorry such a long drawn out story!

And yes you can add coordinating colors! That is one reason why I like white china..... even with a gold edge you can still mix and match with other pieces from heirlooms.

ETA: Here is a link to what I was talking about that we are buying..... http://www.mikasa.com/control/produc...ct_id=L3201905 I also like this one http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product...opnav=&browse=

Lizbet · #7 07-14-2006, 05:32 PM

I didn't register for china, because DH and I aren't fancy dinner party people. Plus, my Mom has already told me that I will inherit my Grandmother's china in the future. And, DH's Mom gave us an old set of hers. Neither of the patterns are my favorite, but since I won't use them often I'm not too worried about that.

I did register for crystal and nice placemats and napkins. And, my everyday dishes are plain white. So, I figure I can always just dress them up (like you were saying) if I need to.

If you do register for any type of dinnerware, you should definitely go for 8 pieces minimum. Think of it this way. In the future, you and Tom will probably have kids. And, a family you invite over for dinner may also have kids. With the average of 2 kids per family, you've already got 8 eating. And, it's best to get all of the settings at once, because you never know when they will discuntinue an item. I registered for 12 of everything. If I ever host a family get-together, we'd have MIL, SFIL, BIL, SIL, my Mom, my Dad, my Brother, DH, me, and any future increases (like children or spouses of BIL, SIL, or my Brother)

feb-bride · #8 07-14-2006, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Complicated Woman

Ok...I think maybe I'll just get white porcelain everyday stuff that I can dress up with chargers and things if we're ever having a fancy dinner. Maybe a set of fancy salad plates and napkin rings to mix in? Can you do that?

That's what I did. I got an eight-place-setting set of Oneida white porcelain china. The set is white with gold rims. The entire set (including five serving pieces) was only $60, but it looks pretty nice when you mix it with inexpensive plate chargers. No one would guess that it was less than $10 per place setting. I also got a set of gold flatware that came in a velvet-lined cherry wood box for storage. The flatware set is a 12-place-setting set that includes serving utensils, and it was also about $60. I registered at Linens 'n Things, which is comparable in price and quality to Bed, Bath, and Beyond.

Complicated Woman · #9 07-14-2006, 08:52 PM

Thanks for all the input, girls! I'm pretty excited to register, in particular because Tom is actually looking forward to it!

kenzies_mama · #10 07-14-2006, 09:52 PM

Ok so I think your all set but I wanted to reiterate what Lizbet said about the # of settings I would go with 12 also, that's the number my mom always had around and she still ran out at times. Also I don't think everyday china is too expensive at BB&B. I personally didn't register for china but my grandma bought me a "holiday" set, it's basically the same quality as everyday ware just with a winter theme, since that's the only time of year I really throw dinner parties.

ETA: Mike wasn't excited about it but once he got going he had fun, I think he had a better time then I did.

Daniellenerik · #11 07-14-2006, 10:22 PM

I know people have already said it but BED BATH AND BEYOND is the place to register. I have had such a great experience. Everytime I take something back from the registry whether its broken/we got duplicates, or we simply changed our mind, the service has been excellent. The cashiers have been willing to help us find what we need, etc. AND...You can use their coupons that they mail out when repurchasing things. We took back a bunch of stuff that we got then decided we didnt need and ended up buying new pots and pans and stuff...with coupons...They were excellent!

They carry a brand of dishes by Dansk. They are great. We love them. We got greens ones but I think they had other colors. They are dishwasher safe and microwaeable. They dont get to hot in the microwave! They are just everyday dishes but I love them.

Hope this helps

Kim&Bob2004 · #12 07-14-2006, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lizbet

I didn't register for china, because DH and I aren't fancy dinner party people. Plus, my Mom has already told me that I will inherit my Grandmother's china in the future. And, DH's Mom gave us an old set of hers. Neither of the patterns are my favorite, but since I won't use them often I'm not too worried about that.

I did register for crystal and nice placemats and napkins. And, my everyday dishes are plain white. So, I figure I can always just dress them up (like you were saying) if I need to.

If you do register for any type of dinnerware, you should definitely go for 8 pieces minimum. Think of it this way. In the future, you and Tom will probably have kids. And, a family you invite over for dinner may also have kids. With the average of 2 kids per family, you've already got 8 eating. And, it's best to get all of the settings at once, because you never know when they will discuntinue an item. I registered for 12 of everything. If I ever host a family get-together, we'd have MIL, SFIL, BIL, SIL, my Mom, my Dad, my Brother, DH, me, and any future increases (like children or spouses of BIL, SIL, or my Brother)

That many people and the fine china would come out! Fine china meaning paper plates!

We do have a set of gold flat ware, service for 8 I think...... I can't recall for sure, we have only used it once.

I certainly agree though, fancy placemates, napkins, even serving platers etc can make even the most boring plates take on new life. Personally instead of a pattern I would go for something classic, but that's just me. Of course I do love the desert rose pattern and I don't even think they have it any longer. My mom has a service for 10 or 12 (depends how many peices she has picked up) or even more for bluewilliow and one day I suppose that might be mine. Though again, not really my thing, but it is a family item with some family history.

One thing we need to buy is some crystal...............

555Ann555 · #13 07-15-2006, 11:49 AM

I registered for sets of 8. That is plenty for us

For big family meals we got to Mo's mums & she has more china than I'd know what to do with!

I think it is a great idea to stick to plain colours, I went with black & white (and you know how Tom likes your black plates

). We have black plates that we use for dinner most of the time....

To be honest we never have people over to eat...

OK back to the topic.

If you don't think that you will use fancy china or crystal glasses then don't register for it. There is no point at all in wasting your guests money on things that will never see the light of day. I'm sure they'd rather buy you something useful.

I'd absolutely register for napkins & nakin rings, linens & things that you can dress up the table with. Knowing how creative you already are I can't see there ever being an issue of not knowing how to dress up your plain table wear!

kenzies_mama · #14 07-15-2006, 05:53 PM

Oh I forgot to mention bed bath and beyond's amazing return policy, if it's on your registery you can return it for CASH! Also you can return items that you don't know the origin of for store credit, which is great.

Uh did I mention I worked there for like two years....

wembley · #15 07-15-2006, 05:59 PM

When we went in the lady told us to put some fancy crystal stuff on there even if we didn't particularly want crystal or china. That way if there are people out there that really feel the need to buy you crystal or china go to the store, they'll buy that stuff instead of from a random store. That way you'll at least have stuff from a store you know you can return from and get what you really want.

We ended up just putting a few vases and other random pieces of crystal on our registry just in case. We didn't do any fine china though. I think it's a waste when most people don't ever actually use it anyway.

Register for what you actually want, that's the whole point of registering anway. Don't feel guilty about looking greedy. People like options and they'll complain if there isn't enough just like they'll complain if there is too much. People just like to complain. I was also told to register for the good stuff. You can always go buy the cheap stuff. This is the time to let someone else buy you the good stuff and they will if it's there for them to pick.

Most of all... HAVE FUN!

labeadel · #16 07-21-2006, 08:03 PM

Marge129 · #17 07-21-2006, 08:34 PM

I never registered for fine china. I want the stuff my Mom has

Complicated Woman · #18 07-21-2006, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hope

I was faced with such a dilemma a few weeks ago when my fiance and I couldnt find a store that carried what we both really liked. We drove ourselves nuts until a friend suggested myregistry.com. I couldnt believe that this FREE site would allow me to pick and choose from ANY internet site/store that we wanted. We were also able to view what was bought and what was still available on the site. I'm so releaved that this site exists, we even put scuba diving lessons on our wish list. We had a real great time looking up these unique gifts and how easy it was for my friends/family to obtain our list.

I totally understand your registry problem. Thats why I really had to do it through myregistry.com. My fiance and I even put bikes on there since we both want them to ride together. If people want to give us gifts so bad for our wedding I figured find a way to post what we want that symbolizes our tastes not just what a huge dept. store has to offer. Good luck!

Wow, thanks! Now my registry problems are solved!

This sounds a lot like an ad. If you're a new bride, sorry, but if you're a vendor, keep it to the classifieds.

labeadel · #19 07-21-2006, 10:59 PM

You should go to our bridal journal section and introduce yourself. We get a little protective when someone comes in and the only two posts they've done are about the SAME website.

whiddle · #20 07-22-2006, 03:38 AM

Chiming in late but I only registered for everyday china.

For large dinner occassions, I break out the fine china. Yup, the Dixie plates and SOLO cups. I always use plastic silverware. We have regular but I can always taste the metal on the forks/spoons. Im so weird. It's not just my stuff either.....

AshyBekka · #21 07-22-2006, 01:31 PM

I was actually just reading an article about "creative" registries couples are doing. If y'all don't want fine china, then don't! The article was talking about people registering for everything from shoes, suits, artwork, outdoor equipment, basically whatever kinds of hobbies and whatnot they enjoyed together. I thought it was a great idea for people who aren't really into "typical" registry items, or who already have stuff they like. We did register for fine china, mostly because I've just always sort of dreamed of having a set. I think our sets are 110/each for a place setting, and I can remember what the crystal was. We also registered for every day stuff and other housewares from BB&B, Williams-Sonoma, and Dillards. We're basically starting from scratch, and I wanted a wide range of prices on our registry. Have fun with it!

Complicated Woman · #22 07-24-2006, 02:29 PM

Just wanted to update:

We registered at Bed Bath and Beyond and had a lot of fun doing it!

They have some great stuff. We ended up going with everyday white porcelain china but registering for some formal table linens and gold leaf chargers and napkin rings, so if we need to dress up the table for Christmas or something, we're ready.

Tom had thought he'd be bored, but really had opinions on everything except bedding.

He was so cute; I told him he could pick out whatever iron he wanted and he took it very seriously! We were in that section for 15 minutes while he held each one and read all the different features and moved the knobs around.

I love him!

Anyway, thanks for all the help, we're pretty pleased with our list and were very satisfied with the service.