Thanks to Tom Pumphrey from Neiman Marcus for taking time to answer a Q&A for this week’s Ask the Expert series.
Are brides still registering for fine china?
Tom Pumphrey: Yes our couples are registering for fine china but they’re putting their individuality into the decision. There is cross mixing of elements from classic to casual and ceramics to glass and metals.
What is the most popular china pattern?
TP:: It’s not so much a specific pattern that is popular, instead it’s the great standby of gold on white porcelain. Always wonderful to either blend with more elaborate patterns or festoon for holidays. Or it can be a subtle neutral for an amazing meal on its own.
Your favorite china pattern for 2016?
TP: I’m loving the new architectural patterns from Haviland’s Duomo, Belle Époque and Hollywood patterns. And the Infini gold and white is smashing. Oops! Maybe I should have said Infini is simply gorgeous!
Are brides still registering for crystal and silver?
TP: Yes. Crystal is going through a renaissance with freshness from Baccarat, Waterford, and of course Saint-Louis. The newly hatched 24-piece Christofle silver plate set residing in its own stainless steel egg shaped ‘chest’ will help energize silver flatware in our registrant’s eyes.
Are there any looked over items that recommend a bride registers for?
TP: I believe that it’s less about “looked over”, but rather it is not “thought through.” It’s our responsibility to help this process along by suggesting things that make hosting a small party or an elaborate dinner more complete and abundant with less monitoring and more ease. “BPP”: Bowls, pitchers, and platters either pattern exclusive or blended in their pattern mix are necessities; while multipurpose serving pieces from Mary Jurek, Juliska, Simon Pearce and others will be used at every occasion.
What is your biggest piece of advice for starting a registry?
TP: The whirlwind surrounding a wedding couple’s life as they prepare for their special day can make them myopic; focusing too much on the here-and-now (their current living spaces and scope of entertaining). I ask them to not think about who they are now, instead think about who they are going to become in 10 years. Anticipate the bigger new house, a larger family, and possibly new and exciting careers.
Most returned registry item?
TP: I tend to find that the majority of returned gifts are, naturally, the items chosen off the registry because the giver didn’t “quite like” the couple’s choices. Most registries have plenty to choose from at a broad range of prices. And the recipients will be so appreciative that the giver gave them something they loved.
Biggest mistake a bride makes when registering?
TP: The biggest error that a couple makes is diluting their focus by registering at too many stores and having the same exact listings at each home town store and at a large national store. It ends up being very confusing for all involved. Instead choose china at one store, crystal at another and everything else at a third. You’ll get what you want with less duplication and everyone is happy.
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