Why? Well, for starters, all this wedding business has, as you can imagine, made me a bit sentimental.
I know china is highly impractical and probably won’t get much use but I want it kinda for the same reason I splurged on my Regina B jewelry. Not to make things too heavy for you Bee readers, but my parents left Cuba in 1969, pretty late already in the whole scheme of the Cuban revolution. My father, a lawyer and an accountant, had to “earn” his right to leave the country by working the fields in a “camp” cutting sugar cane. You had to cut a certain amount and meet a quota to earn the right to leave. You also had to wait for certain documents saying you could go. In the meantime, my mom waited with my two older siblings (who were quite young at the time) back at their home many miles away. The news that it was your turn to go could come at any time but if you hadn’t met your quota, your moment to leave would pass and you’d be stuck on the island (as a side note having nothing to do with weddings but as a testament to the kindness of humankind: in the camp where my dad worked men who barely knew each other, strangers, stayed up through many nights, all night to cut enough sugar cane to fulfill another man’s quota when his notice to leave would come, thereby guaranteeing that man and his family WOULD be able to leave).
Anyway, when the time to GO came, they would have to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice and when you live like that, there’s only so much you can pack and take with you. Besides, the government wouldn’t let them take with them anything of value (I’ve heard that some people did, yes, by smuggling, etc., but my parents would not have dared), so they didn’t even get to take their wedding rings people! Nothing. In short, neither my parents nor their children own anything that could have been passed down generation to generation because those things got left behind on that tiny island they called their home many years ago.
I know material things can’t make up for memories and other emotions, but I can’t help thinking that it would be nice, now that I am starting my own family, and have the financial and other types of freedoms to do so, plus the fact that we are having a wedding and most people will be generous enough to gift us, to have a few meaningful things of my own that could possibly become heirlooms. And that’s where the china comes in.
The next big question then is which set of china. You see, when we actually went in person into Macy’s to register, we couldn’t find a single set of china we liked. They all looked the same: white or ivory plates with gold or platinum rims. It was only by looking online that we came across this “Aureus” pattern. We had to actually order a sample salad plate online and have it shipped to us to see how it would look in our home and on our table. We loved it and as such, we added it to our list! It’s the Villeroy & Boch “Aureus” pattern:
Here’s how it looks in our home:
Now, whenever I get the chance, I stop at every possible Macy’s to see if they’ve started to physically carry this pattern in their stores, but no luck, at least not in these parts. What this means, me thinks, is that there is a high probability that not many people will purchase pieces of the set for us, with the exception of our younger friends who already love to shop online, thereby avoiding the hassle of having to shop in person.
We may be running a huge risk here though because, truth be told, we don’t have much else on our registries. We are also registered at Crate & Barrel and Williams-Sonoma, but we literally have six things listed at each of those places and we’re inviting between 140 to 150 guests at the moment.
With this pattern, I worry that we may end up having to fulfil much of the china set ourselves after the wedding.
I’m also concerned that this particular pattern locks us in to a certain style pretty much forever (china is a BIG investment). Since originally adding this set to our registry, I’ve become enamored with this other Villeroy & Boch set, the “Country Heritage.”
I also think that this style fits in much better with our overall style sensibility; in fact, I think it even goes with our dining room furniture better than the “Aureus” (but will we always have this same furniture?). Mr. Petunia does find it a bit bland though, being that it’s just basically, well: white. I happen to like that about it and imagine the possibilities of being able to incorporate other beautiful items from other sets into it down the line. On the other hand, I feel a bit guilty asking our guests to spend so much money on plain white plates.
Which do you prefer?
I am all for china. I agree with you that you need some “stuff” to pass down.
I love the first pattern you picked and was DYING for something similar, but we did a plainer grey/platinum/white mix (Mikasa Floral Elegance) b/c I was worried, too, about being “locked in” to a color scheme.
I would probably pick something neutral and, if you’re an antique store rat like myself, look to fill out a second set that way. It’s cheap and also makes for the thrill of the hunt!
You can also try http://www.replacements.com — a great website to round out china that may have broken or been damaged (or not received in the first place!). Good luck.
Your poor family! How crazy and stressful that must have been!
I think it’s incredibly sweet you’re thinking about creating heirlooms. I hope you end up with something you love. 
Oh I adore that Aureus pattern– it is exquisite. I think it’s very unique and I sense it’s the kind of pattern that you will never regret choosing. The other pattern is classic and perfectly lovely, but Aureus just seems more special to me.
[...] rkcorp wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptI’m also concerned that this particular pattern locks us in to a certain style pretty much forever (china is a BIG investment). Since originally adding this set to our registry, I’ve become enamored with this other Villeroy & Boch set, … [...]
oh, I like the first set, btw. (I’m a fan of color.)
I prefer the first one and I say go with that one! Even if you don’t it all, you will receive possibly a gift certificate to Macy’s or cash and then you can finish buying the pieces yourself. I just returned a few things and exchanged it for 6, 5-piece settings! I love the boldness of the pattern. The white, you can get anywhere and at anytime. A similar white pattern by them are on sale right now.
What a touching story about your family. My gma and aunt had to work “digging rocks” as they say (ie. mining) and it’s just awful but you have no choice. My gma only immigrated here about 13 years ago.
The Aureus is very unique and eye-catching (read: beautiful!). Not many people would be bold enough to have china like that.
You have to ask yourself, “Which set of china would I most enjoy eating my food off of?”
Oh yes, in my family, fine china seems to get its use since people are always having family over for nice dinners. That said, I don’t know if my FH will agree to signing up for a registry and for fine china. 
I adore the first pattern, as its different and very unique, not the plain with the rim (which is what we’re registered for). Which pattern will you love when you’re 60- thats what we had to ask ourselves.
As far as worrying about people shopping online versus not and not getting your china, maybe people will get you gift cards to Macy’s, or they can order it when they go into the store and don’t see it on the shelf.
What a great story, thats so heartwarming about the strangers helping fellow workers cut sugar cane!!
The Aureus is stuuunnniiing!! But if you want to be safe, get the white china, and purchase serving platters/bowls/accent pieces from the Aureus line! Voila, The best of both worlds. They may not be a perfect match, but who wants to be all matchy-matchy anyways?? hehe =)
I personally prefer the white - but I love monochrome at the moment.
However, when I was trying to figure out my china, my fiance actually had some fantastic advice. He reminded me of my tendency to get bored with dishware and household items (dishes and duvets in particular). So he suggested that we get the simple (boring) white/platinum china and several colorful options of salad plates/etc to mix and match with. As I get bored with the patterns I have, I can still use the wedding set as my base. This also allows me to season-ize my dishware with summer, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc. accent patterns.
(I come by this disease honestly, my mom has 7+ sets of dishware - drives my dad nuts!)
There may not be much to pass down through the generations, but their story of struggle is so amazing. It makes me feel so thankful for what I have.
On a fine china note, I like the second pattern.
My grandmother gave me her mom’s Rose Chintz China and it’s lovely, but I always thought that it was a very busy pattern and sometimes the food gets lost on the plate. So for our china pattern (all of two sets we own), we went with a safe bet. Simple platinum rim on white. I like that I can really diplay the food because it shows up so nicely against the wite background. And I tend to dress the table up a bit with whatever colors I happen to like at the moment.
The other side of that is I instantly think of my granny whenever we pull out the dishes. The pattern is easy to associate with her because of the colors. Rose Chintz just says home to me, and it’s wonderful to think that these dishes connect me with a woman (great grandma) I never met.
Definitely think about what you’re going to use the china for. You won’t use it a lot, but you’ll probably use it for special occassions–Christmas, Thanksgiving, etc. You’re going to want the dishes to go with those decorations.
Definitely the second choice!
White china is timeless. You won’t look back in 10 or 20 years and wonder what you were thinking. It’s definitely the better choice if you hope to make this china a new family heirloom.
We’re set to inherit quite a bit of heirloom china from my parents, so we only registered for everyday dishes. We chose an all white pattern with a beaded edge from Pottery Barn (Emma). It goes with everything and doesn’t overshadow a beautiful meal.
My advice is: go with the pattern you fell in love with.
I love the mix-n-match look. There are so many colors in that pattern that it could conceivably work for every season and every occasion depending on what color you “play up” at any given time.
Plus, for whatever reason, the first one really reminds me of “china you would pass down through generations” - it looks a tad more special and unique than the white set.
Either way, I’m sure your future generations will appreciate the sentimental story you’ll share about your china.
I love the Aureus — so unique! You. Must. Have. It! (Me too maybe…)
I thing the second one is more practical and elegant. But I would buy the salad plates of the Aureus and use it to serve dessert.
Tough choice! I, too, have family heirloom china that has been passed down to me, but quite honestly, it is just not my taste. I love the sentiment of it, but don’t really want to use it.
On one hand, if both you and your fiance love the first pattern, and you don’t think you will tire of it or will dislike the fact that it will become “dated”, I think you should go with it. It is a beautiful and unique pattern.
On the flip side, the white is so simple and practical and will be much easier to be passed on and actually used.
As a compromise, if it were me, I’d probably end up mixing and matching. The first pattern is too unique to pass up entirely! Whereas the simple white plates would allow for you to accumulate more “different” and “special” accent pieces over the years.
your story about strangers helping eachother made me almost cry. Thanks for including it.
p.s. I prefer color china!
I’ve heard some hair raising stories about those camps from my uncle. He used to take his glasses off when he ate so he wouldn’t see the creepy-crawlies in the food. I’m glad your dad made it through and out to the United States.
My family was one of the lucky ones who got out of Cuba earlier, in 1961, but my grandfather stayed behind and had to sneak out posing as a bongo player in a band.
As far as the china, you should decide what is more important to you: a pattern that is uniquely yours throughout your lifetime or one that will be a sensible style even 100 years from now.
Call me crazy, but what if you mixed? The second is just plain, so maybe register for the basics in white and get something in the funky one. Either soup bowls (or some other not always used but looks pretty when the table is set pieces) if you want it to be part of the setting, or serving pieces, which some of tend to be different even if you have the full set of china.
Also though, if you want this to be an heirloom, go with what you love now. I’m not getting china because I have my moms. It’s not what I would pick (It’s pretty but I’m not a gold pattern kinda gal). I love it because it was what she liked when she picked it. I know later in her life she liked silver and colors, but gold was what she loved then. It’s a simple rose pattern- totally goes with her personality- classic, beautiful, nothing to draw too much attention, but you notice it.
How do you want to be remembered? With Grandma’s awesome/funky patterned china or with Grandma’s classic/simple china? What is truly you?
I like the white, but I generally prefer plain things. I agree with the idea of registering for china as an investment piece. Which is why I’d go for the white — as others said, there’s less risk of you not liking it in 10 or 20 years, and greater chance of future generations liking it too if you’re going for the heirloom quality. Also, it might help to know that chefs like serving food on white plates because it makes the food the star.
my practical side says the whites but the patterned china you picked is SO exquisite, I think I’m going to say you HAVE TO have the Aureus! Its insanely gorgeous and I’m not one to like “ornate” things…but WOW! Something to keep in your family forever I feel like you wont have as much of an attachment to the whites.
I prefer the second option. Very elegant.
I inherited my grandmother’s china, which is pink, flowery, dainty French Haviland. It reminds me so much of her and I always use it for special tea parties, or just dinner with the girls. She loved the color pink and had an all pink kitchen, appliances included. Honestly, if it had just been regular white china with a simple band, it would not be near as special to me. So if you are looking for something to pass down, go with the first choice. I registered for my own updated Ralph Lauren china pattern (my husband’s fingers at least fit through the cup handle), which is in my favorite color, and got some nice, but simple white dishes to use everday or mix and match with my seasonal and holiday pieces.
i like the first one the best by far!
just saw this @ bloomies
bloomingdales.com - Villeroy & Boch Columbus Day Sale
October 4, 2007 - October 8, 2007
When you purchase one dinner plate, salad plate, rice bowl or mug from select Villeroy & Boch casual dinnerware patterns, you’ll receive a second dinner plate, salad plate, rice bowl or mug free!* Offer valid 10/4/07 - 10/8/07.
Patterns Included:
· Audun
· French Garden
· Twist Alea
· Switch 3
· Cottage
· New Wave**
· Cellini
· Dune Lines
· Flora
· Wonderful World
SHOP NOW
*Second piece must be dinner, salad, mug or rice bowl of equal or lesser value. Bone china, “Country Heritage,” “Cascara” and “My Garden” not included.
**New Wave, please select New Wave 20-oz. Bowl.
I like the white set best. it is classic and will withstand time.
We are going with vintage china. I have almost a complete set of 12 setting of one kind and bits and pieces of another. The almost complete set came from an old friend’s mom. She got it when she married her first husband and no longer wanted it. (though really terrible) She didn’t feel that her daughter would appreciate it and gave it to me. I cherish it.
The other is a Sheffield pattern that I started finding at thrift stores.
We are registered at replacements.com and people can just finish the sets for us.
i would choose the first set. btw, that was another pattern i liked! you should go with where your heart is. we chose a non-traditional asian pattern (raynaud’s jardin celeste - gorgeous), and i don’t regret it. it may not match everything, but is is a set that DH and i both fell in love with and want. it will always remind me of this special time in our lives. you can always get traditional white china later on. you may have to purchase the rest of your china yourself, but there are always special discounts (we registered at bloomie’s and got 15% off forcompleting our registry, and another 15% for opening a bloomie’s card…voila! complete china and flatware). my friend did the same at macy’s.
I was married 10 years ago and had the same debate at the time. My choice wasn’t as bold as yours is, it’s ivory with a small floral with blue background at the edges of the pieces. Lenox Southern Vista. I love it. For everyday, I have simple white stoneware which mixes and matches with anything. I say get what you love!
I know you were looking at this in terms of an heirloom as well. Chances are your children might not have the same taste, or will want to pick their own pattern. So by all means, go with what you love and don’t worry about anything else.
I registered for your first choice, and I had the same thoughts. In the end, I went with it - it’s exquisite!
First off, your parents stoy is so endearing… I amlost cried.
Now, regarding the china, I LOVE the 1st set (but I’m ot a plain kind of gal). I think the heirloom set you choose should really be a reflection of who you are. If you chose the 1st set, it doesn’t seem possible that you are a plain kind of couple. That being said, a plain white set seems very practical and alomst essential for mixing and matching. And most chefs prefer plain white plates because it showcases the food better. Why not register for a plain white set that is not “fine china”. For example a plain white set from Crate and Barrel or Pottery Barn, or a less expensive brand than Villeroy & Boch at Macy’s? (I bought an entire set for a friend from her C&B registery and it was only about $100 for the complete set). Those will get a lot of everyday use, and you can mix and match. Also, regarding the registery, I also think the less online savvy shoppers can order in the actual store or buy gc’s.
Nice posting. You might want to try out our website if your looking for antique porcelain.
Nice posting. You might want to try out our website if your looking for antique porcelain.
Mrs. Petunia, Ft. Lauderdale
Age and Occupation: 31, College Professor
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Engineering Student/Part-time Barista
Engagement Date: December 8, 2006
Wedding Date: March 2, 2008
Venue: Riverside Hotel
Blogging Since: August 6, 2007
About Me: Our original idea of running off to get married quickly turned into an event with 100+ guests once other people got involved and I, too, got swept away in the lovely madness that is wedding planning. Mr. Petunia and I are obsessed with all things World of Warcraft, Monopoly, and Nintendo, so we’re planning on including some fun “game-y” details into our wedding.
When picking my china for the registry, I first picked a plain white plate with a silver rim. I thought, “I better pick something plain; it won’t go out of style.”
But then, my dad actually brought it up that I should pick something with more color in it. For the most part, fine china is used so rarely, and mostly sits in the china cabinet. He told me to think of my china more like decoration than as dinner plates. I’m glad I took his advice.
In the end, I chose Wedgewood Oberon. It’s a floral and vine pattern. I think it is lovely.