| Compiling a wedding list can be stressful, | | | | gifts. Other features that you will need to |
| since you want to find things that will be | | | | look out for include whether products are |
| genuinely useful, but that also offer | | | | oven proof, dishwasher proof, freezer proof, |
| durability. Tableware and cookware will fill | | | | and how much space they take up. Some ranges |
| up a large part of your list, but you'll need | | | | promise that they will fit into your |
| to make sure you think about what will be | | | | dishwasher, which will mean less time |
| most useful in the long term. Here are some | | | | fiddling around with plates and glasses. |
| points to consider when choosing tableware as | | | | |
| a wedding gift. | | | | Materials |
| | | | |
| Style | | | | China can be strengthened with the |
| | | | application of glazes, and can be the most |
| As well as durability, you will need to | | | | glamorous table decoration for serving fancy |
| consider the style of the items you are | | | | dishes, cakes and deserts. Stoneware is |
| looking for: do you want elegant china, | | | | available with a number of beautiful |
| beautiful porcelain or resilient stoneware? A | | | | finishes, ranging from funky to classic |
| contemporary design will look great when you | | | | designs. A large stoneware bowl offers a |
| are entertaining friends, but runs the risk | | | | comforting presentation for soups and broth |
| of being outdated. China will give you great | | | | on a cold winter's day, but can also give |
| presentation for your food, especially when | | | | rustic charm to a bowl of homemade pasta. A |
| you are having a dinner party or family meal, | | | | different glaze might give a Mediterranean |
| but is a bit formal for dinner in front of | | | | theme, or you might opt for a bold |
| the television (stoneware would probably be | | | | contemporary colour. |
| better for that). However, major brands of | | | | |
| tableware normally offer a series of ranges | | | | Shapes |
| to suit different tastes and uses | | | | |
| | | | You can find tableware of all shapes and |
| Durability | | | | sizes, including bowls designed to fit |
| | | | perfectly in your hand. Bowl ranges should |
| Some tableware manufacturers guarantee that | | | | now include tailor-made dishes for pasta, |
| their products will last for life, which has | | | | rice and noodles, now staples of the Western |
| a particularly nice sound to it for wedding | | | | diet. |