Fine China or Casual China - or both?

thewayiam

So, we're going to register this week. I had thought I didn't want fine china. But I'm being told (frequently) that I'll regret that decision. I've read that on this board as well. We were going to register for 'casual china' which is a little pricier that your garden variety inexpensive every day dishes (which we have now). My sister in law-to-be said they registered for both fine and casual china. What are you doing?

thewayiam

Thanks for all of your advice. I totally agree with everything that was said. I've maintained for a long time that I didn't want fine china yet. I agree that the necessity is outdated, I'd rather get really nice every day stuff. (The every day stuff is a little expensive but about half of that of fine china). But I REALLY like to entertain & be a hostess... and I imagine that in the future we'll be hosting holidays with large groups of family. So, after hearing out everyone who had an opinion, I started to think that I would actually like it. I'm too headstrong to do what others tell me to do, but their ideas made sense. Hmmm... going to look at everything in the store and decide when we see it. Thanks for your help!  

sarajoy12345

I had started collecting Fiestaware for our "everyday" dishes so I registered to finish that set.We also both really wanted fine china, so we registered for that as well.We got ALL the Fiestaware and almost NONE of the fine china. I was very surprised.

hmonkey

when you host a dinner party, most people don't judge mismatched dishes or what "level" of china you have -- they judge what you serve and how good it tastes.

thewayiam

For me it's not about what the guests think about the china or level of dishes, it's about the Martha Stewart inside of me...

le196303

I didn't register for fine china, because I am getting my Great Grandmothers.  What casual china did you have your eye on? I think it's OK to register for something pricier if you are not registering for fine chine.  We registered for a combination of Lenox Simply Fine Chirp and Mikasa French Countryside, and are using both as everyday dishes. 

thesportsgal21

I felt the exact same way when I first started considering registry items! But then I realized that a wedding is the perfect time to register for something you want but would never buy yourself. Obviously your everyday dishes are important since you will be using them, well, every day. But the nice thing about the fine china is that the patterns don't go out of style for years! You can register for 12 place settings and only get 4 for your wedding, but then receive them as birthday, Christmas, and anniversary gifts for years after. (registries stay open for 1-2 years after the wedding) My mom's china pattern was around for 15 years and she has just about every piece there is... and she only got one place setting as a wedding gift.

cravecase

I originally registered for both because of course the people at BBB insisted it was necessary, even though I never thought I wanted it.  After my shower, when the fine china items hadn't nearly been touched and we still have sooo many items un-purchased that we really do want I took it all off.  I am 24 and for as long as I can remember my parents fine china has sat in boxes in a closet in the basement.  I remember using it once for a Thanksgiving because my mom ran out of her regular everyday dishes with all of the guests we had.  If you get a nice everyday set and you are having a fancy dinner party or something you can always dress up the table with a nice table cloth, napkins and candles or something - at least that is how I reason it.