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Bridal registry trends inspire new dinnerware traditions

(BPT) – What are the hot trends of the season in bridal registry? For many bridal couples it is mixing something old with something new to create updated dinnerware designs. The table looks refreshed and renewed while allowing couples to enjoy treasured family heirlooms.

“After years of leaning toward casual dinnerware, we’re seeing a resurgence in interest for traditional bridal china, crystal and flatware,” says Replacements, Ltd. Product Marketing Manager Keith Winkler. “Not only are bridal couples buying current patterns, we’re seeing them reinvent ‘something old, something new’ by embracing vintage china and crystal passed down through their families. In our retail store, we’re showing couples how to spice up grandma’s refined pattern, say from the 1920s, by mixing it with contemporary patterns to create unlimited design options.”

Replacements’ Visual Merchandiser John Griffith has dubbed this creative push, “pattern blending.” Griffith suggests bridal couples begin with cherished, inherited china, then build their tablescape by blending additional patterns and pieces, complementary shapes and sizes, solid colors and designs, reflecting their own esthetic and lifestyle. It’s a great way to go from the china you like to place settings you love.

“You can choose many different directions by blending current patterns with vintage dinnerware, from dressing up cherished older patterns for elegant formal entertaining to creating something fun and funky for a casual evening with friends,” says Griffith. “Some of the more popular trends for us have been pairing pressed glass plates in coordinating or complementary colors and using porcelain or ceramic plates with metallic finishes in pewter and gunmetal. I love to mix shapes like square and round plates or different edge shapes like smooth and scalloped.”

Griffith says you can add a whole new dimension to a vintage place setting by switching out a salad plate; pairing a contemporary luncheon plate with an heirloom cup and saucer the couple already owns is great for creating brunch or a buffet setting. He also suggests blending crystal drinkware, which could be as easy as mixing colors or common characteristics such as bowl or stem shapes.

“Here’s another fun example. I created my own flatware place settings by combining pieces with the monogram ‘G’ as the common characteristic,” he says. “You could also mix patterns with floral designs on the handles or other shared similarities. Choose the design element you love and run with it.”

Bridal registries are also trending back. In a new spin on tradition, Griffith says grooms are getting more involved in choosing registry selections. One of the hot items on their wish lists – barware. With the growing popularity of wine and the return to home entertaining, Griffith says couples are looking for the proper elements, such as stems and bowls, to complement various wine varietals. And they’re not limiting their barware to crystal; casual stemware, glassware and acrylics account for large percentage in the overall barware increase.

Alternative metal serveware is also trending on today’s registries. Griffith defines these serving pieces as the perfect marriage of form and function. “Not only do these pieces come in fun designs – once heated, the alloy retains warmth to keep food warm longer or cooler if you chill these pieces. Alternative metal serveware is very durable and easy to clean and, with just a little care will maintain its shine for years. Some of higher quality and most popular patterns we’re selling are made by Lenox, Arthur Court and Wilton Armetale.”

Griffith leads design seminars on creating trendy tables at the company’s retail store. Many of his insights appear on Replacements’ YouTube channel and Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Replacements.

One challenge bridal couples often encounter with heirloom pieces lies in the fact the name of the pattern may have been lost or forgotten through the years. Griffith suggests taking advantage of Replacements’ free pattern identification service. Additional information is available on the company’s website, www.replacements.com.

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