Post # 1
Member
44 posts
Newbee
So we went yesterday to Bed Bath and Beyond to set up our registry and we are torn between 2 fine china sets. We really like the “lenox opal innocence” but i find it very expensive at $129 for each 5 piece place setting and we would like 16 settings plus all the other accessories. We also like the “Mikasa parchment” that comes in a 42 piece set that is for 8 place setting for $199, so we would get 2 sets plus the acessories. we already choose a casual set, so these would only be used for special occasions. Should we go for the very high end one or the one that is more economical? Also, did any of you get all or most of the setting and accessories you put on the registry? Im worried we wont get most of the items if we go for the more expensive one ( I dont think any of our guests would go for the $300 gravy boat but they probably would go for the $89 one that comes with the less expensive set).
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This topic was modified 4 years, 11 months ago by
purplelove88.
Post # 2
Member
6864 posts
Busy Beekeeper
I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who got all their place settings via gifts. I suppose it depends on how many guests you have at your wedding, though. Personally I’d go for the cheaper stuff – how will you feel when you drop one of the more expensive plates? Or if a young child does? will you be able to replace it and/or will you want to?
I can’t answer for me specifically though – I inherited my china and it’s still in boxes!
Post # 3
Member
3607 posts
Sugar bee
Honestly, you never know what your guests will spend. We put expensive china and crystal on our registry thinking no one would ever buy it, but we thought we could at least get the 10% completion discount for ourselves by registering for it since that stuff never goes on sale. It’s still four months to our wedding and we were already gifted half of the place settings we registered for, plus some expensive appliances we never thought we’d get in a million years. It doesn’t hurt to have some economical options, but I’d go for the nicer china if I were you.
Post # 4
Member
1744 posts
Bumble bee
Do you entertain a lot? Do you enjoy setting impressive tables? Do you have the other fancy stuff to go along with fine china?
I know some people who have the expensive stuff but rarely use it because they are afraid of dropping/chipping it and feel like they have to hand wash stuff that has the metalic banding around the edge. Others have the attitude lets use the good stuff for any possible occasion.
Seems a shame to me to have the good stuff and rarely use it, but everyone is different.
Post # 5
Member
1836 posts
Buzzing bee
If you entertain a lot, and do it by setting a fancy table, I say go for the more expensive stuff. Most folks don’t entertain like that anymore, so for most people it would be a waste to register for it. But it just depends on your lifestyle and how much/how you plan to entertain in your home.
Post # 6
Member
11533 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
You’re probably right about some of the serving pieces, but you may end up receiving most of your place settings.
My pattern is Lenox Federal Platinum. I registered for 16 place settings and ended up receiving 15. I believe I would have received all 16, but I think I made an error while trying to manage two separate registries at two different stores (i.e. I would delete a place setting off of one registry when someone purchased it at the other store and vice versa.)
I would choose whichever pattern you love the most. Few people will end up spending full price for your gift, since BB&B has 20-percent-off coupons. (And, likewise, departments are constantly having sales on fine china.) If you love the Lenox, get the Lenox. However, if you like the Mikasa better, choose that.
Post # 7
Member
9230 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
marivettem: Go with whichever one you like best and don’t worry about the price – worst case scenario nobody buys it for you and you will get a discount to complete your registry! Even if no one buys it for you there is a high likelihood of getting cash at the wedding which you could use to buy it yourself.
Post # 8
Member
415 posts
Helper bee
Go with the pattern you like better and disregard the cost. You will probably receive more place settings than you might expect, so choose something you love!
Post # 9
Member
9575 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
In the world of fine china those are both affordable so I say go for what you like more. I got all 12 sets and tons of serving dishes, gravy boats etc and my pattern was pricier than that.
expensive china is like, 150 per plate, not set:
http://m.bloomingdales.com/shop/product/bernardaud-constance?ID=11661
Post # 10
Member
716 posts
Busy bee
Choose what you love!
We didn’t register for fine china, because Mother-In-Law said (and did) give her fine china to us since she didn’t use it anymore and downsizing. Any chance any of your parents are downsizing and not needing hers anymore?
Post # 11
Member
2107 posts
Buzzing bee
Another vote for pick whichever you like best! We registered for Lenox Chirp as our nice and everyday plates. We only wanted one set in the cabinets. It was 143 a 4-piece place setting at Macy’s (when it wasn’t on sale) and we were gifted every place setting we registered for (18) with a month left before the wedding. Don’t try and predict your guests’ behaviors, just register for the stuff you actually want. Besides, like a PP said, that’s not a particularly expensive price for fine china.
Post # 12
Member
1162 posts
Bumble bee
My grandmother gave me a set that she bought (for me) when I as born. Still in boxes. Too bad about that earthquake. Seriously.
Post # 13
Member
15287 posts
Honey Beekeeper
I vote skip it all together. I never saw the point of spending so much on something just to use it on rare occasions… the cost to use just doenst make sense. That’d be like buying a 20k engagement ring, only wearing it on “special occasions 2x a year” and then wearing a CZ set on a daily basis.
Post # 14
Member
6516 posts
Bee Keeper
marivettem: i never found a china set that i liked, so i didn’t have a china set on my registry. I am very happy with my $32 8 piece plate setting from Wal-Mart lol
Post # 15
Member
913 posts
Busy bee
We registered for 8 place settings of regular Mikasa dinnerware and 12 place settings of waterford china and 4 sets of 12-piece waterford crystal. We were gifted all of it. We love using our china!