Don't pass on the china

For some brides, fine china is a tradition not worth following in an era that is eminently more casual.

But even if you don't entertain at home or can't imagine pulling out crystal, sterling silver and china for your guests, wedding experts say couples still should consider registering for china.

Perhaps surprisingly, casual nowadays can include your bone or porcelain china. Pull it out for regular dinner parties instead of storing it just for formal family occasions and holidays.

Over the past decade at Seattle store J.F. Henry Kitchen and Tableware, people have registered for more "transitional" china that works for casual and formal situations, said owner Tom Henry. But recently, people have been picking out two sets, one truly casual and the other more formal.

And it makes sense to ask for china now, he said.

"Once you're married and you get into a house and into all these things, your priorities change," Henry said. "I don't think you're funding a china budget."

Today's fine china patterns also are bolder and more fun. And casual dinner patterns are starting to rival the high-end china, said Kathleen Murray, senior editor at wedding Web site The Knot (www.theknot.com).

"China is making a comeback," she said. "There's something so classic about fine china that couples are drawn to."

Don't feel like you need to register for sterling silver and crystal to complement the set. If your registry has too many pieces on the high end, pick great stainless-steel flatware and elegant everyday wine glasses that still work with your china.

Kris Melcher, the Kansas-based author of "Chick Living" and a contributor to Modern Bride, suggested picking a timeless china pattern that you think you'll be happy with in 20 or 30 years instead of a trendy pattern. Manufacturers also tend to continue those lines, making them easier to replace down the road.

Melcher dresses up her off-white bone china with unique napkins, napkin rings and placemats and brings it out regularly for dinner parties.

"It's too pretty to sit in the china cabinet," she said. "I don't necessarily throw pizza on it, but when I have friends over, it shows how special they are and that you went to that extra trouble."

But despite the appeal, some couples still can't imagine buying high-end china. And some don't want to deal with the expensive hassle of buying the rest of the set that guests may not purchase for them.

For those couples, Keri Cooper, owner of Seattle-based Bliss Events, recommends registering for an everyday set and then adding a few fun, designed pieces to the registry to dress up the table, such as colorful salad bowls, big platters, wine glasses in colored glass and nice linen napkins in fun prints.

"Go for more of the fun stuff," she said. "Go for a lot of mix-and-match items."

Nicole Tsong: 206-464-2150 or ntsong@seattletimes.com