Things you need to know.

Whether you dine out regularly, order in or lavishly cook and entertain, once you are married you will want to have the right pieces for serving meals at home. With some planning and the correct accoutrements, you will be able to entertain with style and confidence albeit for two or for all the in-laws.

• Basics:
  
  
  • Most fine china place setting includes a dinner plate, a salad plate, a bread-and-butter plate, a teacup and saucer.
  • There are four types of china named for the materials they are made from: porcelain, bone china, stoneware, and earthenware.
    • Bone China is made of the finest white clays mixed with pure chemical calcium carbonate. This addition gives the china added strength. It is fired at extremely high temperatures to produce the whitest and most translucent china. Its delicate look contradicts its extreme durability. All Vera Wang Fine China is made of bone china by Wedgwood.
    • Porcelain is made with similar clays but without the calcium carbonate, which makes it slightly more vulnerable than bone china.
    • Stoneware is made of coarser clays and is extremely sturdy and durable with a natural appeal. It is completely dishwasher and microwave safe and a perfect choice for everyday dining as well as entertaining. Vera Wang Casual China, also from Wedgwood, is made of stoneware.
    • Earthenware, also known as terra cotta, is often glazed and hand painted in vivid colors. Since it is fired at lower temperatures, it is more porous and not as durable as stoneware.
• Vera recommends that you:
  
  
  • Select fine bone china for your formal dinnerware as it is the most durable and translucent of the materials.
  • Register for at least 12 place settings and consider registering for two extra place settings to cover possible breakages.
  • Register for 24 additional salad or bread-and-butter plates as they can be used for serving appetizers during cocktails, for small serving plates at the table and for desserts, without having to wash any plates while entertaining and serving.
  • Register for all the other china accessories necessary for a memorable meal such as:
    • large and small platters, oval or round
    • 2 to 3 serving bowls of various shapes and sizes
    • soup bowls (same quantity as place settings)
    • pasta plates (same quantity as place settings)
    • gravy boat and stand
    • dipping bowls (same quantity as place settings)
    • covered sugar and creamer
    • a tea pot
    • a coffee pot
    • a butter serving dish
    • 2 sets of salt and pepper shakers
  • Remember when designing your future table setting that white is always chic, always appropriate and always matches. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t add a touch of fantasy, a splash of color or a sophisticated pattern to heighten visual interest at your table. Accessories, chargers and accent plates are always good ways to freshen and excite your table’s look.
  • Select patterns that reflect your mutual tastes.
  • Confirm that the patterns you are selecting are not discontinued so that you can cover eventual loss, breakage or any possible additions.
  • Consider mixing patterns and colors for individual flair. As a guideline, use the “2 to 1 rule” which means when combing two elaborate china designs, accent them with a piece that is relatively simple, less colorful or has a nondescript pattern. Guests appreciate a signature touch that gives them a glimpse into the personality of the couple they are visiting.
  • Also register for a casual china collection that will make everyday dining special. Our 4-piece place settings are made of stoneware and include a dinner plate, salad plate, bread-and-butter plate and mug.
  • Register for 12 place settings of casual china and consider 2 additional place settings to cover breakages. Don’t forget: most of your meals will probably be served on these plates.
  • Register for all the other casual china accessories necessary for a memorable meal such as:
    • 2 large pitchers
    • 2 small pitchers/creamers
    • cereal/soup bowls (same quantity as place settings)
    • dipping bowls (same quantity as place settings)
    • 2 serving trays, round and rectangular
    • 2 or 3 serving bowls, different sizes
    • additional salad plates for desserts or appetizers (double the quantity as place settings if you will be entertaining with this china)