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Registry
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Entertaining For The Holidays
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Holiday Choices
When choosing dinnerware, flatware, and crystal, she suggests taking your cue from your own style of entertaining and decorating. “Do you go all out with decorations at the holidays? Are your decorations the centerpiece of your holiday decorating?
“If so, a less ornate approach to the table may be the right choice to ensure that you don’t detract from all the hard work you’ve put into decorating. A pattern like Wedgwood’s Ethereal presents an elegant white setting without detracting from brightly colored flowers or holiday decorations. If you wish to tie your china into your decorating scheme, white china can be paired with all white flowers to give the table a real winter feel.
“However, if decorating is the last thing on your mind, a more ornate choice of dinnerware, such as Lenox’s Westchester, and beautiful cut crystal glasses like Waterford’s Wynnewood, paired with decorative bowls, platters, and vases, would all help to make your table the centerpiece of holiday entertaining.”
Similarly, if you or your fiancé love to cook, a plain white china plate like Wedgwood White can be the perfect, elegant backdrop for a festive, colorful meal “If white seems too plain, there are many holiday options that can be mixed and matched to give the table a festive holiday feel. Linens are often the perfect final touch to a holiday table. A table linen in bright colors like red and green, against a beautiful piece of bone china, will only add to the festive holiday feel.”
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She also encourages you to consider the size of your family. When you’re thinking about how many place settings to register for, the holidays are the perfect occasion to consider.
“If you’ll be entertaining your family as well as your in-laws, you need to carefully consider the number of place settings you should register for. Even though your sister may not be married now, for example, make sure there’s a place setting for her future guest.
“As the size of your family grows, you may want to consider registering for additional serving pieces like bowls and platters, even an extra gravy boat!” Similarly, you’ll want to consider entertaining business associates and friends, in which case you certainly won’t want to run out of dishes. Whether you prefer a sit-down meal or a casual buffet, you should always make sure you have enough plates to accommodate all your guests.
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Holiday Choices | Use Your Heirlooms | Music, Flowers, Candlelight
More Casual Entertaining | Your Wedding Table | Locations
Use Your Heirlooms
“Many dinnerware items become heirlooms, passed from one family member to the next. However, that doesn’t mean you have to feel stuck with mom’s, or grandma’s, china. There are attractive, timeless flatware patterns, like Couzon’s Le Perle, that will mix seamlessly with your heirloom pieces.
“But if you feel saddled with a set of china that doesn’t quite fit your personality, this can also be a great opportunity to mix old pieces with new. Add a contemporary set of flatware like Kate Spade’s Larabee Dot or Flatiron, and you’ll instantly put a new spin on your china. If you’re using inherited Waterford crystal glasses, try incorporating a brand new set of modern china like Trendsetter by Royal Doulton.
“If you’ve only inherited a few items, such as your wine glasses, it’s a perfect opportunity to register for things you might not have, like Miller Rogaska’s Soho Barware, which also offers accessory pieces like an ice bucket, chip and dip, and footed cake plate, all of which will come in handy as you try to keep your guests well fed.
“Another option is to start fresh with all new china, flatware, and stemware that suit your style, while incorporating a few serving pieces like a hostess set or decorative pieces like candlesticks or crystal bowls that have been passed down through the family.”
Many beautiful holiday patterns can be mixed and matched with the “everyday” china that you register for.
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“Instead of only using serving or accent pieces that match your china, why not incorporate some beautiful silver serving pieces, like bowls and platters, many of which can go straight from oven to table? Wilton Armetale’s silver serving pieces keep hot items hot and cold items cold. They allow you to go from oven to table and straight to the refrigerator for storage without damage or chipping.
“Additionally, Wilton Armetale offers a number of designs that will not only add flair to the table, they’ll also cut down on the number of pots and pans that have to be used, and washed.”
Music, Flowers, Candlelight
“You can use the same crystal glasses, like Waterford’s intricately cut Lismore, to catch the candlelight on a beautifully set table. If you’re interested in a more modern crystal, try Waterford’s Lismore Nouveau.
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“If your table is set with simple white china, add bright red or yellow flowers for a splash of color,” she continues. “You can create a centerpiece using colorful ornaments, or, for example, freshly picked pine cones, which will also give off a nice fragrance.
“Festive linens will add interest to any table. Adding votive holders in different shapes and sizes from Orrefors will bring light and interest to the table.”
Every bride will have her own style, and the colors, types of dishes, flowers, and music that she uses will create the perfect holiday mood at any table. “Whether it’s festive Christmas carols and poinsettias, or the flickering lights of the menorah, your table will be enhanced by the seasonal setting you create.”
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Holiday Choices | Use Your Heirlooms | Music, Flowers, Candlelight
More Casual Entertaining | Your Wedding Table | Locations
More Casual Entertaining
Not every event is a grand one. “Sometimes the best part of the holidays is eating leftovers and watching some football,” she continues. “That’s why it’s always smart to register for two sets of dishes — a more formal pattern for occasions when you want to really dress up a table, and one set for those occasions that are a little more casual. There are lots of great patterns that will work for a more casual occasion.
Kate Spade’s Gwinnett Lane offers three color choices — Chocolate, Turquoise, and Crème Ruffle, which incorporates chocolate and turquoise with vibrant pinks and oranges.” All these patterns can be mixed and matched to make a unique yet elegant table.
“Villeroy & Boch offers many patterns that can be mixed and matched to create a casual and fun table. Their Twist Alea, French Garden, and Audun collections all incorporate a variety of patterns and designs, so that each collection can be mixed and matched to create a completely unique table.”
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Holiday Choices | Use Your Heirlooms | Music, Flowers, Candlelight
More Casual Entertaining | Your Wedding Table | Locations
Your Wedding Table
“As you choose your china, flatware, and stemware, it’s likely that your personal style will become apparent.”
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“If you choose contemporary china, crystal, and flatware, you will probably want a modern feel for your wedding reception.” You can incorporate tall, modern floral arrangements that use items along with flowers. Some people use tree branches and even feathers to create a modern look. Designs also can incorporate a number of vases clustered together, and then surrounded by candles to enhance the look of your table.
“If you set your table at home with heirloom china and prefer a more traditional look,” she continues, “at your wedding you may want to opt for candlelight and centerpieces that use flowers like roses. Your table numbers also can be placed in beautiful antique frames.
“Alternatively, if you lean toward the casual, you may want to create more casual wedding tables. Perhaps a centerpiece of wildflowers, or one that doesn’t incorporate flowers at all. Instead of formal table numbers, you could have guests match a photo on their place card to a large photo featured on each table.”
“Your style won’t just dictate the style of your wedding, it will extend to items like your wedding jewelry, wedding bands, gifts for your attendants, and even the gift you choose for your soon-to-be husband.”
“If you’re more traditional, you may opt for a string of pearls along with pearl and diamond earrings. If you prefer a different look, perhaps a diamond necklace that resembles a flowering vine would suit your style.
“Though many brides choose to buy their attendants jewelry for the day of the wedding, there are many other options to consider. iPod accessories make great gifts for bridesmaids and groomsmen. Maybe your new husband would prefer some gadgets for the grill to a new watch.
“Remember, no matter what you choose for your registry, make it a true reflection of your personalities. These are items you’ll have for years to come, and if you’re true to your personal style, you’ll always be happy with your choices.”
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