A few weeks ago I shared with you my 9 surprising wedding registry hits, but now I want to dive a little deeper into the old registry standby- fine china. When I first got engaged and people asked me about my china pattern, I scoffed and said I wouldn’t have china, it was too formal and stuffy for me. Then we went registry shopping and slowly but surely I was sucked into the fine china rabbit hole. There are so many modern and elevated china patterns; those that excite me in ways I never knew. Now I find myself fawning over historic graphic patterns like this Scalamandre and drooling over sophisticated florals like this Raynaud. My heart is beating just thinking of the dinner parties I could host. Well actually my heart is beating thinking about all the cooking that would require. But even if I ordered seamless dinner would look fabulous served off of these masterpieces, no?
In real life however, choosing a china pattern was something that was stressful, because it’s so hard to just pick one. I decided that what was most important to me was finding a pattern that was not only beautiful in it’s intended set, but also striking when paired with more traditional white or simple flatware. I don’t want to set the table the exact same way for every dinner for the rest of my life, so finding a pattern that sits harmoniously with other dinnerware and flatware options, and can be dressed up and up and up again with contrasting chargers, was key.
With that, I give you 9 of my favorite china patterns- those that can be integrated with white for a more casual feel, those that can pair with silver or gold flatware and accessories, and those that have enough pizazz to make even an afternoon tea feel like a designer affair.
1. Ralph Lauren Gwenyth, 5 pieces $150 – The horn inspired pattern on this set is breathtakingly modern, but also would pair beautifully with a rustic wood table and horn centerpieces.
2. Hermes Blue D’Ailleurs, 3 pieces $470 and up – The rolls royce of tableware. The stunning cobalt blue color and variation of print nods to both Asian and European motifs.
3. Bernardaud Etoiles, 3 pieces $262 and up – Whimsical, lighthearted and and joy to eat off of for formal dinners and any holiday. I would pair it with gold flatware to dress it up a bit, and have fun mixing up colored glassware
4. Kate Spade Mercer Drive, 5 pieces $39 – I love how each piece looks completely different but together they blend harmoniously. There is a mix of prep and uptown glam, but it’s not too snobby for more casual use.
5. Gluckstein by Lenox Audrey, 5 pieces $200 – I love that each plate has a mix of black, gold and silver stripes, so that it will match with any flatware or chargers I throw at it.
6. Kelly Wearstler Mulholland, 3 pieces $355 and up – This is modeled after my favorite ‘channels‘ fabric of hers, and if I could insert the hallelujah emoji here I would. This pattern is so chic and modern I bow down.
7. Villeroy & Boch La Classica, 3 pieces $119 and up – I know I just preached all modern and this is called ‘La Classica’, but don’t hate. The geometric, architectural pattern harks the renaissance of Italy, and I just want to drink an espresso out of that perfecto cup.
8. Wedgwood Renaissance Gold, 5 pieces $230 – I love that the dinner plate has a very overt classic pattern, while the salad plate balances with a thick band of bold color. You could replace the blue with gold or silver for a more monochrome look.
9. Raynaud Attraction, 3 pieces $470 – Be still my heart. The concentric gold and silver rings are elevated and chic but keep the focus on the food. This pattern is delicate but makes a strong impact. Maybe I will buy at least one of these plates to add to my other china patterns??
What do you think? What did you register for at your wedding? Are you happy with your decision?
