Your registry is an opportunity to build a complete collection of place settings and create a beautiful table for any occasion. Read on for our recommendations.
Food for Thought
- Register for at least 12 place settings so you can host meals on special occasions. A 5-piece place setting includes a dinner plate, salad plate, soup-pasta bowl, cup and saucer. A 4-piece place setting substitutes a mug for the cup and saucer.
- Consider registering for two extra place settings to have on hand in case one breaks.
- Include both salad and dessert plates, so you won't have to wash salad plates after the first course.
- Select classic white dinnerware for your place settings. These pieces are timeless and present food beautifully. White dinnerware is suitable for both casual and formal dining.
- Be sure your registry includes mugs for morning beverages, as well as cups and saucers for serving coffee or tea after dinner.
- Change the look of your place settings with colored or patterned plates, linens and serveware. Add these pieces to your registry, then expand your collection over time.
The dinner plate is used to serve the main course. A large plate is an elegant way to present food.
Salad/Dessert Plate (quantity: 24)
These pieces are slightly smaller than dinner plates and proportioned for salads or desserts; they're also a good choice for first courses. Have two sets of 12 on hand for more than one course.
When tea and coffee are served, a set of coordinating cups and saucers makes a stylish presentation. Saucers can also double as small dessert plates.
Oversized dishes placed under dinner plates as decorative elements, chargers can also be used as buffet plates or platters for appetizers and desserts.
Appetizer Plate (quantity: 12-24)
These small plates serve appetizers, cheeses and other light fare that accompany cocktails or wine. Up to 24 plates will ensure enough to go around.
Soup/Pasta Bowl (quantity: 12)
These wide, shallow bowls are traditionally used for serving pasta, risotto and polenta. They also provide classic presentation for soups and stews.
These bowls have multiple uses: serving cereal, oatmeal and fruit as well as soups, stews and steamed rice. They also work well for ice cream.
Olive Oil Dipping Bowl (quantity: 8-12)
These small bowls are ideal for serving dips, condiments or individual portions of salad dressing. They're also great for nuts and other cocktail fare.
Bread and Butter Plate (quantity: 12-24)
Designed to hold dinner rolls or bread and butter, these plates are equally useful for serving breakfast toast, pastries and appetizers.
This piece is designed to present butter at the table. Topped with a domed cover, it can also be used to store butter. Two dishes can be placed at opposite ends of the table for large groups.
Sauce/Gravy Boat (quantity: 2)
This vessel is useful for serving everything from classic hollandaise and gravy to velvety dessert sauces. For large gatherings, two boats come in handy.
A ceramic bread basket can be warmed in the oven, then filled with baked goods wrapped in a cloth napkin. The heat from the basket keeps baked goods warm at the table.
Essential for entertaining, a ceramic coffee pot is an attractive way to serve freshly brewed coffee at the dining table. Two pots allow you to serve regular and decaffeinated at the same time.
Espresso Cups and Saucers (quantity: 12)
Also known as demitasses, espresso cups hold perfect portions of espresso.
When you're serving coffee or tea to guests, these pieces complete your service. A cream pitcher is also handy for serving syrup at breakfast.
For centuries, tea lovers have relied on ceramic pots to brew and keep teas warm at the table.