registry help for a beginner!

kfoster4

Hi brides!

I am working on my registry, and I have been using the giftregistry360.com for convenience and because there are a TON of choices... but I am stuck on the china! I fell in love with this china set, but it's $139 a setting and my mom told me that was a ridiculous price. I have NO idea what the "average" price is for a place setting... can anyone give me some advice?

Thanks!

aegrish

are you willing to wait for the placesettings or by them yourself if you only receive a few?  I did not register for China and I don't usually go for it when I see it on a registry, but I know there are place settings under $100.  I would think $139 is average but again I don't know much about it.  Maybe your mom is more concerned about you only getting a few settings and then not being able to purchase it yourself?

SirJuliusVonHaast

I would only register for these if it is either common in your circle (some people are really into china) or if you would be willing to pay for them later. If you register for them at Macy's or BB&B people will also be able to use sales and coupons for them. 

ETA: I will probably register for china that is ~100-125 per place setting, but I entertain a lot and would be willing to buy them myself after the wedding (with the completion discount).

futurepivko

i wouldnt say that price is ridiculous, but you do have decide if you really want/need it.

jerseydevil

I'm not registering for China bc the price is so high for one place setting and I know that I am not willing to complete the set.

Crystal, though is a different story for us. That we would be willing to buy to complete the set.

It all depends on your priorities, but plan on not getting the entire set or only getting a few place settings.

jessicabessica

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_registering-gifts_registry-beginner?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:34Discussion:bff485c0-2d01-4d3a-845c-71aae7a9e5c3Post:d4d95d1f-fd43-4be6-952d-2f83481ff45c">Re: registry help for a beginner!</a>:
[QUOTE]Thanks for the tips. We are in our 20s, and I get the idea that china isn't that popular anymore... I would like a nice set of dishes for entertaining but the thought of my friends spending over $100 on a place setting is laughable. Maybe I should just list a nice set of dishes for entertaining? I don't know! Ahhh!
Posted by kfoster4[/QUOTE]

Did you invite a lot of family?  All the dishes that we have received so far (we registered for a set of everyday china) have been from family members, not our friends.  I think it's perfectly reasonable to want a nice set of dishes for entertaining, and $139/setting is not exorbitant IMO.  I also don't think it makes sense to register for something cheaper that you don't like just because it's cheaper (within reason)--you will have these dishes for many years and you should be  happy with them. 

Would you spend the money (over time) to complete your set if you did not receive all the place settings you need as gifts?  If not, I think the answer is, it's too expensive. 

kfoster4

Thanks for the tips. We are in our 20s, and I get the idea that china isn't that popular anymore... I would like a nice set of dishes for entertaining but the thought of my friends spending over $100 on a place setting is laughable. Maybe I should just list a nice set of dishes for entertaining? I don't know! Ahhh!

mandi921vh

I would check out Pfaltzgraff.com they have a great selection of everyday dining sets that are a reasonable priced as they include several items, and some include serving dishes. 

aegrish

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_registering-gifts_registry-beginner?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:34Discussion:bff485c0-2d01-4d3a-845c-71aae7a9e5c3Post:d4d95d1f-fd43-4be6-952d-2f83481ff45c">Re: registry help for a beginner!</a>:
[QUOTE]Thanks for the tips. We are in our 20s, and I get the idea that china isn't that popular anymore... I would like a nice set of dishes for entertaining but the thought of my friends spending over $100 on a place setting is laughable. Maybe I should just list a nice set of dishes for entertaining? I don't know! Ahhh!
Posted by kfoster4[/QUOTE]

This is what we did and they went FAST.  We ended up with 16 place settings and I am so grateful for that!  And it's a pretty basic white set so if any of them break they are super easy to replace.  I just never saw myself using China though..

kfoster4

@aegrish - did you just do a basic white set? i think that might be my best bet! 

mob2689

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_registering-gifts_registry-beginner?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:34Discussion:bff485c0-2d01-4d3a-845c-71aae7a9e5c3Post:c66a0688-6c26-46b6-b235-b37f050e9967">Re: registry help for a beginner!</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: registry help for a beginner! : Did you invite a lot of family?  All the dishes that we have received so far (we registered for a set of everyday china) have been from family members, not our friends.  I think it's perfectly reasonable to want a nice set of dishes for entertaining, and $139/setting is not exorbitant IMO.  I also don't think it makes sense to register for something cheaper that you don't like just because it's cheaper (within reason)--you will have these dishes for many years and you should be  happy with them.  Would you spend the money (over time) to complete your set if you did not receive all the place settings you need as gifts?  If not, I think the answer is, it's too expensive. 
Posted by jessicabessica[/QUOTE]

Totaly this!

Our family is also into getting fine china for immediate family. If your family isn;t and you wont use them then don't get them. I hate seeing fine china sitting behind glass and never used.

shopgrl3177

Ours is about $120 for a place setting.  I know it's expensive but I really like china for special occasions.  If we don't get it for the wedding we will buy it ourselves, but in our circle it's common for relatives to go in together and buy china.

futurepivko

i would also check out Mikasa. we chose Mikasa "Chocolate Swirl" for our everyday dishes. it can easy be dressed up as well

Milsey32

Do you plan on using china often or just for 'Christmas' (sorry it's generic, but any other special holiday could replace it)? If it's a once-a-year type of deal... do you really want guests to spent $139 a setting or would you rather they purchase something else off the registry? Do you think you'll receive all settings?

While I don't think $139/setting is too much for china... I also think you can find less expensive dishes if they'll only be used once or twice. OR, you could consider registering for nice(r) everyday dishes that could be dressed up to be your entertaining china... and like PPs said, places like BBB have coupons all the time so it'll be cheaper regardles if you choose $80/setting or $139/setting.

kfoster4

I am so glad I decided to post this! You guys have all been such a huuuuge help, and I really appreciate it!  

Patineuse1124

I think the median fine china price seems to be around $120-$130.  I figured that most people wouldn't spend more than $100 ($100 is the average wedding present in my circle), and I really wanted china so I registered for a pattern that was less than $100 (it was $85 at the time of my wedding).  It wasn't my favorite pattern, but it is one that I liked quite a bit.  I agree with PPs that if you wouldn't buy it for yourself don't register for it as you may have to buy several settings and accessories to finish your set.  FWIW, we didn't get many settings for the wedding (2 at shower and 3 for wedding) but I used gift cards to purchase some and got the remainder from my family for my birthday and christmas.  I think this was more to do with the china not being carried at the BB&B locations closest to most of my guests.  The few that did live near the BB&B that did carry china did buy me china or flatware.  The settings were cheapest at BB&B with a 20% off coupon, but many of the other pieces I found cheaper on www.chinaroyale.com and www.mytableware.com  Also, if registering for china is not common in your circle be prepared for some comments (mostly behind your back).  Apparently MIL thought our registry had a lot of expensive items (the china shows up first).  China isn't popular in DH's circle, but is in mine.