Seventeen years after I registered for my wedding, I like to think I’ve learned a thing or two about what makes a kitchen run smoothly, hosting parties and planning big holiday meals. I’m by no means an expert, but I know what works for me.
Good news: I still love everything I chose way back in 2006 and would select many of these same items again. If they’re not available, then something similar. I’m sad that many brides no longer register for formal place settings, crystal and sterling. Much like our wardrobes, dinner tables are casual now. While this is fine for day to day life, I find that setting a pretty table with “the good stuff” elevates a meal.
As embroidery wedding orders start to trickle in, I find myself thinking about what my registry would look like as a fiance in 2024. Amazon wasn’t a thing back in my day, but it’s definitely the place to register for weddings, babies and graduations now. Everything I’m sharing in these posts is available from Amazon. You want to make shopping your registry as easy as possible. One stop shopping with a variety of price points is ideal.
This is a lengthy post, so I’m breaking it down into three parts: china, flatware, serving pieces and glassware are the focus of today’s post. Later in the week I’ll share kitchen essentials (small appliances and utensils) followed by linens, bedding, bath and “around the house.”
Let’s start with the foundation of any table: plates. As much as I love fine china, I am actually okay with choosing a simple, pretty everyday pattern and then embellishing with accent salad plates, depending on the season. My everyday china is Antique White by Mikasa. I still love it and it’s held up beautifully. I’ve used it several times in place of my fine china for special events and it definitely rises to the occasion. Antique White is temporarily out of stock on Amazon, but a very similar option that I love just as much is French Countryside. Like Antique White, it’s a timeless design that has been in production for ages. French Countryside is a beautiful shade of white that’s not too cool and not too warm. It mixes with many other patterns seamlessly and can hold its own when used with linens, crystal, and sterling. It also works with plastic cups and paper napkins. The price point is great for the exceptional quality. Click here for place settings: https://amzn.to/49yAJEb or here for service for eight: https://amzn.to/42Lwza4.
Mikasa French Countryside
Don’t forget the sugar and creamer! I’m smitten with this set, available here: https://amzn.to/49eBgvc
Sugar and Creamer
You’ll want a few serving platters, too. Amazon has a 12″ round platter and a 15″ oval platter available here: https://amzn.to/3P5PUx9. I’d get both.
French Countryside Platter
French Countryside is beautiful on its own, but it’s even better when fun salad plates are added to the equation. If you love Christmas and see holiday parties in your future, how about incorporating Spode Christmas Tree salad plates to your place settings? Spode is such a fabulous brand and their Christmas Tree pattern is the quintessential holiday china. It’s practically meant to go with French Countryside!Mixing just the salad plates provides the same effect as using an entire place setting, but doesn’t require an entire butler’s pantry for storage. They’re available in sets of four here: https://amzn.to/3T7KBjb
Spode Christmas Tree Salad Plates
You can easily create a Thanksgiving place setting by adding Spode Woodland Turkey salad plates to the rotation. I do not have a Thanksgiving pattern, so I might have to treat myself to these next time I host turkey day. I do have a Christmas pattern, but it’s Tiffany “Holiday,” which is no longer made. Were I to register now, I’d go with Spode. You can find the turkey plates here: https://amzn.to/3uuI4pF
Spode Woodland Turkey Salad Plates
I am NOT discouraging anyone from registering for fine china. Should you be so inclined, you’ll never tire of a white background with a delicate silver or gold trim. I chose Waterford’s Kilbarry Platinum for my fine china way back when I have no regrets. A look alike design is Lenox’s Federal Platinum, which is sold on Amazon. Federal Gold is also beautiful if yellow gold is your preference. Federal Platinum is linked here: https://amzn.to/3HV9vMt. Click here for Federal Gold: https://amzn.to/3OIvXMv
Lenox Federal Platinum and Federal Gold Fine China
I adore both of these patterns. This is a tough decision! Both work with the Spode Christmas Tree and Spode Woodland Turkey salad plates, and they also work with the French Countryside platters. You can’t go wrong. That being said, the Mikasa pieces are beautiful enough to pull double duty as both fine china and everyday china.
Chargers are an inexpensive way to add wow to your dining table. I love these and wish they’d been around in 2006. My sister actually has these and they are show stoppers. The color choices are fabulous and, at this price, affordable enough for several sets. Click here to see what I’m talking about: https://amzn.to/49gwGwE
Chargers
Moving on from plates to flatware….I registered for a Waterford flatware pattern that, although I still love, is no longer in production. If I were to do it all over again, I’d choose something from Gorham that has been made for ages and will likely continue to do so.
I only discovered that my Waterford Powerscourt pattern is no longer available because I tried to buy some teaspoons several weeks ago. Somehow I am missing about eight teaspoons. I am fairly certain my children have accidentally thrown them away when disposing of yogurt cups. Believe it or not, a few of my friends are in the same boat. Brides, remember this if you plan to have children one day! I found my pattern on Replacements and a single teaspoon is $99. Needless to say, I will not be purchasing those. Economically it makes more sense to just start over with a different pattern.
The Gorham patterns I love and wish I’d originally chosen are Column or Studio. They’re both dressy enough to use with fine china, but affordable enough to use everyday. I do have a set of sterling silver flatware that I use when entertaining, but I was gifted most of it by my mother in law. We have the same pattern. I don’t know that I would necessarily register for it. Gorham Column is available here: https://amzn.to/49kvjwO and Gorham Studio can be found here: https://amzn.to/3SLQJfn. The 45 piece sets include serving pieces. I’m leaning more towards the Studio design…might have to treat myself soon.
Gorham Column
Gorham Studion
You’ll need beverage vessels to go with your plates and flatware. I went the super formal expensive route when I registered and selected Waterford Lismore Tall for my crystal. Our everyday wine glasses were a set I already owned (Mikasa Stephanie). I love my crystal, but if I’m being perfectly honest, I prefer drinking wine from a regular wine glass. The crystal is pretty and very durable, but many less expensive options are just as gorgeous. Spoiler alert: wine glasses will break. We’ve managed to break way more wine glasses than anything else over the years, so I wouldn’t go for something expensive. A pretty, everyday wine glass is all you need. Register for a lot of them so you’ll have plenty on hand when entertaining. Or when they break.
Unless you and your friends are super into wine (I’m talking sommelier status), an all purpose glass is sufficient. I love the shape, height and price of this set. Plus, the reviews are great. This is definitely what I would choose as a bride today. See for yourself here: https://amzn.to/3uF6kp2.
I would throw in a few flutes and water goblets as well. It’s fabulous to have glasses for bubbles when the occasion arises. Setting the table with matching water goblets is a nice touch. The flutes are here: https://amzn.to/3UOILET and the water goblets are here: https://amzn.to/3uFPQwW
Zwiesel Stemware
A bar isn’t complete without a few highball and double old fashioned glasses. We have an inexpensive set from Ikea that Ben owned before we were married. Proof that you do not need to spend a fortune. Godinger is as old as the hills and makes very handsome, quality glasses. This is 100% what I would choose today: https://amzn.to/3ULl7cw for highballs and https://amzn.to/4bKSouw for the DOF.
Godinger Dublin Glasses
Not going to lie, the vessels that get the most use in our house are our Tervis tumblers. Funny enough, I did not register for these, but someone gifted us a set and we still use them today. Despite having pretty highball glasses, this is what we use 99% of the time. They’re brilliant. No condensation, durable, keeps drinks cold all day. I love the mixed color option so you know which glass is yours. Add these to your registry: https://amzn.to/4bKTSoA
Tervis Tumblers
Regardless of which glass you use, every home needs a nice pitcher. Pretty doesn’t have to equal expensive. How gorgeous is this Mikasa Napoli pitcher? Elegant enough for formal settings and casual enough for sweet tea on the porch. The price can’t be beat, especially right now as it’s on sale. Get it here: https://amzn.to/3OR4ZT3
Pitcher
The final items needed for hosting and entertaining flawlessly are serving pieces. Trust me when I say you need more of these than you think. My cousin shared that tidbit with me shortly after Ben and I were engaged and she is 100% correct. Every stocked kitchen should have a salad bowl, a chip and dip set, several trays and platters, and a cake stand.
I’ll start with the salad bowl. I’ve been eyeing this bowl for myself for a while. Natalie Mason posted it on Instagram several months ago and I can’t believe the price. It’s so pretty! I love the look of the natural wood mixed with glass. Bonus: the glass bowl portion is removable for easy cleaning. Snag it here even if you’re not working on a registry at the moment: https://amzn.to/42HQy9D
Prettiest Salad Bowl
I mentioned earlier in this post that you’ll want to add some platters that go with your china patterns to your arsenal. I’ll link them again and the others here:
Mikasa platter: https://amzn.to/3P5PUx9
Federal Gold round platter: https://amzn.to/3IqsVsV
Federal Platinum oval platter: https://amzn.to/3T4CuDG
Spode Christmas Tree platter: https://amzn.to/42JGOLO
Mariposa Pearl platter: https://amzn.to/42NVoBZ
Beatriz Ball tray: https://amzn.to/3UNbrhv
I like the idea of a durable chip and dip serving piece since those foods are often casual. Beatriz Ball makes beautiful melamine items. This is perfect for any event: https://amzn.to/49Iaz1Q
Beatriz Ball Chip and Dip
The final must have for serving guests is a cake stand. These are great because they can be used for many foods, not just desserts. Libbey hit a home run with this cake stand. The shape, height and versatility make it a necessity for any kitchen. Pro tip: gift this with a sweet treat and include the recipe. Buy it here: https://amzn.to/49CZaR1
Libbey Cake Stand
Whew! That’s a lot of information to digest. The next installment will cover all things cooking and prepping. I’m not a chef, but I can hold my own in the kitchen. Tune in tomorrow for all the gadgets and applicances!
