So, we registered on Saturday, which was both fun and stressful. We're way under the amount of items that the stores told us to register for, but we were adamant that we weren't putting anything on the list that we didn't both need and love. We already have a lot of the kitchen equipment we need and I'm not really interested in upgrading. I think the bulk of our registry is comprised of servingware. Entertaining matters to us, so that makes sense.
China was the hardest part, mentally. I mean, requesting plates that cost $139 per setting seems extravagant and unnecessary. We'd already decided that we wouldn't even consider it unless we found a pattern we really loved. I had found something online that I've been looking at for months, but I hadn't seen it in person and there was no way I was asking for it without handling it first.
And ...
Sigh.
It's the Wedgwood gilded weave pattern and I adore it. D loves that it doesn't have any cabbage roses on it and that it feels modern. I actually woke up the other night thinking about how much fun it would be to set the table with these plates. I know. It's ridiculous.
China is one of those things that some people don't even bother registering for anymore, which I totally get. But I grew up in a house where we used our china all the time. Really. Any meal that is more than the immediate family calls for china (crystal on the other hand, is only taken out for the big holidays). It helps if the china pattern is relatively simple, so that it works well for casual dinner parties and doesn't need to be paired with fancy linen. I think this will be perfect.
I'm still a little insecure about putting something that pricey on our list, but I figure that people who think china is silly or overly expensive just won't purchase it. I don't know why I'm so worried that people will find our choices offensive. I'd like to say that this wedding stuff makes me a little crazy, but I always feel weird about birthday lists too, so this isn't anything new. I overthink everything, always.
China was the hardest part, mentally. I mean, requesting plates that cost $139 per setting seems extravagant and unnecessary. We'd already decided that we wouldn't even consider it unless we found a pattern we really loved. I had found something online that I've been looking at for months, but I hadn't seen it in person and there was no way I was asking for it without handling it first.
And ...
{china}
Sigh.
It's the Wedgwood gilded weave pattern and I adore it. D loves that it doesn't have any cabbage roses on it and that it feels modern. I actually woke up the other night thinking about how much fun it would be to set the table with these plates. I know. It's ridiculous.
China is one of those things that some people don't even bother registering for anymore, which I totally get. But I grew up in a house where we used our china all the time. Really. Any meal that is more than the immediate family calls for china (crystal on the other hand, is only taken out for the big holidays). It helps if the china pattern is relatively simple, so that it works well for casual dinner parties and doesn't need to be paired with fancy linen. I think this will be perfect.
I'm still a little insecure about putting something that pricey on our list, but I figure that people who think china is silly or overly expensive just won't purchase it. I don't know why I'm so worried that people will find our choices offensive. I'd like to say that this wedding stuff makes me a little crazy, but I always feel weird about birthday lists too, so this isn't anything new. I overthink everything, always.
I completely understand...how are you supposed to chose something in a few moments that you will potentially have the rest of your life...we had the same problem when we registered..thanks for sharing your story and good luck!
ReplyDeleteLove K
http://www.lovek.org
It's beautiful! I understand your hesitation, but you'll love having this china for the rest of your life. I actually didn't register for china, and there are times that I regret it. I love this pattern.
ReplyDeleteYou will love every moment with it! Beautiful pattern!
ReplyDeletexo.
ahh that's so pretty!
ReplyDeletelove the cream and gold together
i agree. you don't want to look presumptuous, but china is the one gift that is uspposed to be really nice and the only time you *really* get it as a gift is your wedding. it's fine to get one you really love, and $139 a setting is not insane. there's also the simple human trashcan for $140 i see all these people registering. that...i just do not get. it's a freakin' trash can.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. I like that it is light and delicate in style, so will work well in summer, but also the gold adds a little bit of gilded sparkle that will work in the colder, festive months too. Lovely.
ReplyDeleteOoh I love that pattern!!!! It's so pretty!!!! My fiancé and I have been looking at china - he likes the kind rimmed with gold, and I'm like, "Your mother had that. We can't get the same kind your mother has." :)
ReplyDeleteIt's gorgeous! I can see why you love it. I think it's lovely to have special china for special meals.
ReplyDeletethey are beautiful. Getting a china set is an old tradition, but I think it's a great one. It's something that you will keep forever, and maybe one day pass down to your children or grand children. I love that thought
ReplyDeletethey are beautiful. Getting a china set is an old tradition, but I think it's a great one. It's something that you will keep forever, and maybe one day pass down to your children or grand children. I love that thought
ReplyDeleteThere's such a thing as a birthday list? Hahaha!
ReplyDeleteI love this pattern. I'm lucky to have inherited some china from my grandparents, which I love and use all the time.
Sounds stressful but fun!
ReplyDeleteI think you should put it on. If people want to buy you it, they will. Maybe some would actually prefer to spend a little extra to get you something you really want.
ReplyDeleteVery pretty. I love owning china. Silver was/is a waste. I only have 1/4 a set so I can't use, plus who wants to polish it? I regret having that on my registry.
ReplyDeleteThe china is absolutely beautiful. I think that if you'd like it, then go for it!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't worry too much about what people think. Besides if most of your stuff is pretty reasonable, people are forgiving with a few splurges =)
ReplyDelete- Sarah
http://agirlintransit.blogspot.com
i love it, too; it does feel modern, and with your family's tradition of using china, it's always going to feel significant, too. i can't imagine it not resonating with your guests - even if china isn't their thing, that pattern to me seems so clearly your thing that they will be excited for you. hell, i'm excited for you!
ReplyDeleteThe registry has been the one thing that has given me the most angst in the wedding planning process (people are really opinionated about it). Here is what I've decided:
ReplyDeleteHave a large variety of things and price points and register FOR WHAT YOU WANT. People can either get you something on the list or something else. I mean it is a gift, it is a gesture of love, and most sane brides and grooms will receive it as such.
On thing that comes to mind is that you might want to be prepared to either complete the set yourself or return it (if you don't get enough sets). Because yeah, a lot of people don't want to get china anymore.
Here's the thing. People will make fun of your registry, or question it, or question the whole idea of registries. Everybody does it sometimes. But in the end, it doesn't matter, because they love you and want to give you something you will like and use. I giggle or roll my eyes sometimes, but I always find something I'm glad to give. Registering was so stressful for me, too. My husband and I had our biggest fight ever after going to Williams Sonoma to register. But 7 years later, we have stuff we love and our family and friends still like us! And sometimes I wish I'd registered for fancier dishes!
ReplyDeleteReading your blog is like talking to myself sometimes, especially about the wedding stuff :) Sounds like you have a good mix of affordable and pricier special items but as long as they are all things you feel will really make your home together special, then it sounds like you've nailed it!
ReplyDeleteMy motto with registering was: if you need it, register for it. If you don't need it, but reeeeaaally want it, register for it.
ReplyDeleteWe chose not to register for china (I'm just not into fancy), but we registered for reeeaally nice everyday plates that also had a higher price tag than I was comfortable with. Our theory was we wanted something really nice we could use everyday.
To each his/her own! And I luuurrve that pattern too... it was one of the ones that made me rethink for a second or two the china thing... :)
When I got married last year, we opted not to register for china and ended up finding a gorgeous set at an estate sale for something crazy like $40. That said, in the months leading up to the wedding, a TON of people were asking about what china set we had picked, concerned that they didn't see it on the list. I was really surprised at the attention it's absence gathered - so all that to say, I think people expect it, and I wouldn't worry too much.
ReplyDeletei did not register for china when i got married but i often wish i had because we entertain so much more than i ever thought we would. that pattern is lovely...modern yet timeless.
ReplyDeletei wish we'd registered for china! we registered for a large amount of cheap stuff, most of which is now broken. it's good to register for the lovely, special stuff, and get the rest at tj maxx :)
ReplyDeleteDo it. It's beautiful, you wake up at night thinking about using it, and *you* actually will use it. You wouldn't be registering it because registering for china is one of those things you're "supposed to" do. (I know people who would (have) register(ed) for china & then never use it...)
ReplyDeleteI suspect that we are going to end up with a mish-mash of settings. And I'm alright with that. We got 4 of our current setting, which would actually really look nice with yours (which is also lovely). But, our wedding was small, and had I really thought about it, outside of the "Ohmigod, it's so pretty" moment, I wouldn't have registered for china. We will use it, but not yet, and we didn't have enough guests to really indulge us.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, our silverware is incredible and we use it every day...
gorgeous. you should most definitely register for it as 1. you are in love with it and 2. your friends & family will want to get you something you will adore for ages.
ReplyDeleteWe actually used our china too, because why not have fun with fancy meals you slaved hours over? That setting is absolutely gorgeous. I think people who love you will understand that it's obviously going to be with you guys forever and if they can't afford it then they can just get you something else! :)
ReplyDeleteIt's so beautiful, you will be loving it for decades to come. No one tells you how strange it is to put together a registry, but it turns out that people want to give you something that you'll love like this. Beautiful choice.
ReplyDeleteRachel, I am SO glad you registered for china - especially china this beautiful. I too felt "weird" about asking people to spend that much, and I wasn't confident I'd use it enough. What a mistake! (in fact, oh, the registering I'd do if I could do it again...) I've since seen several patterns I'd adore owning, and had so many occasions when I really wished I'd had china. And it's just not something you'll ever attain any other way. You did the right thing!
ReplyDeleteThe pattern is fantastic! Simple, modern & classic. It is a strange thing to "register". I love that you really put so much thought into it. And you're right, if people can't afford to purchase they may stick to something else on the registry. Hey,I just received a wedding invite with no registry but at the bottom it said "Monetary gifts appreciated" and that was all. That was a first for me! Lol :) Happy planning!
ReplyDeleteDo it! You're right that people who don't want to buy it just won't - but I really don't think people (in general) are offended by china on a registry. I honestly wish we'd registered for some nice things like this!
ReplyDeleteI just found your blog and I love it! Check out my blog for advice wedding advice and what it is like to be a newlywed! Good luck with everything it is such a wonderful time!
ReplyDeletewww.newlymeds.com
lurve. just right.
ReplyDeleteI was out looking at china this past saturday with my lovely fiancé... and we both loved this pattern as well. It was kind of a surprise because we were looking at other patterns and I mentioned that I wished the one I was looking at was in gold (it was a simple silver edge plate) and the sales person showed me this and I laughed, because I remember seeing it on your blog!
ReplyDeleteAny way I then had a question... what kind of flatware should go with this kind of pattern? i'm terrible at mixing silver and gold, it kind-of scares me.... What did you choose?
We couldn't find any china we liked either, so we decided not to register for any. I'm hoping I don't regret not looking harder. Yours is absolutely beautiful. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on wedding planning. I get married in 20 days and I'm hoping I'll be able to process my thoughts about it after some time has passed. Your writing and photographs are beautiful.
ReplyDelete