Where did you get your flatware and dinnerware for formal dinner from?

[moonsky]

I am looking for something nice for formal party. Any suggestions. TIA!

[BeachBum]

Most department stores carry fine china and flatware
http://www1.macys.com/shop/dining-entertaining/dining/fine-china?id=53630

http://www1.macys.com/shop/dining-entertaining/dining/flatware?id=7919&edge=hybrid

[DietCokeLover]

I got mine for wedding gifts. Mostly from Dillard's I think.

[crl]

We use the same stuff regardless because I refuse to polish silver. We registered for nice stainless when we got married (Reed and Barton, maybe?) and use it all the time. At my suggestion, my mom has given me extras over the years so I now have two sets of serving pieces and, I think, 14 place settings.

If you want silver, I'd check out antique stores and such. I always seem to see a lot of it there and you might be able to find a deal. If you like an eclectic look, I really think you could do well price wise with mismatched pieces.

Catherine

ETA Sorry, I only answered about flatware. My china was my grandmother's but we never use it. I would also look for used in china if I wanted it. Another place to check might be outlet stores for discontinued patterns--although that would make it harder to add on to down the road.

[mikala]

Depending on your style estate sales and consignment stores can also have some great deals. Our hospice charity store usually has stacks of nice sets. Formal China isn't used often so it's usually in great condition and you can find extra pieces online.

[SnuggleBuggles]

I also use regular stuff too. Mine is stoneware and my flatware looks nice, imo. No one in our social circle is really a china and silver person though. :) I figure table arrangements, centerpieces and that good stuff can jazz up what one has. I'd be reluctant to spend for a one off and would, instead, consider renting. There are many party rental companies that rent china and silver.

eta- our stuff was from our wedding, purchased from Macy's. I know my mom would give me her china if I asked (she never entertains).

[liz]

BJ's of all places. I paid less than 100$ for 16 place settings, serving forks etc and wooden trays to store them. It was a major name brand....Reed & Barton (??) I think.

[vludmilla]

I received my china as a wedding present. I was reluctant to register for it but my MIL and mother encouraged me and my MIL ended up buying most of it for me. I have nice flatware that we use for both everyday and nice dinners. I have Waterford china and I still like it almost 10 years later. If I was buying it myself, I would not choose a brand new set of Waterford, I would buy used or not buy it at all.

[brittone2]

Our china was a wedding gift. We registered for daily flatware and then through the years MIL has given us silver from estate sales and the like (MIL is incredible at finding amazing stuff).

I think our china was from Macy's and is Noritake from 10 years ago.

We use it all a good bit so i'm glad we have it.

[ha98ed14]

If I was buying it myself, I would not choose a brand new set of Waterford, I would buy used or not buy it at all.

Can I recommend looking at Goodwill? I inherited my grandmother's china as a wedding gift, but honestly, it is NMS at all. I found place settings for 12 at the Goodwill in this (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Imperial-Dalton-SINCERITY-318-Japan-Dinner-Plate-Plates-/200271838184#ht_1057wt_670) pattern two years ago. We just used it again this Christmas. I was just there last night and there were two complete china sets. Even if they are missing a piece or two, they can be found and replaced on ebay. Just an idea.

[marymoo86]

Registered for everyday china from Wedgwood and bought my fine china from Lenox, Solitaire pattern, as there was a Lenox plant with a warehouse near home that would have phenomenal sales ~80-90% off. I have added to it over the years as this pattern has Christmas pieces you can mix in with the regular settings.

My flatware is Reed and Barton.

[moonsky]

BJ's of all places. I paid less than 100$ for 16 place settings, serving forks etc and wooden trays to store them. It was a major name brand....Reed & Barton (??) I think.

What is BJ? Thanks,.

[moonsky]

Thanks for all wonderful info, ladies. Should I be concerned with lead in China?

[liz]

What is BJ? Thanks,.

It's like Sam's Club or Costco. They have an online store too, bjs.com. hth

[sntm]

I got mine for wedding gifts (Wedgwood china and Gorham silver) but the cheapest places were Michael C Fina and some other online place.

[AnnieW625]

Our everyday flatware is Reed and Barton (Longwood) (http://www.flatwareoutlet.com/product/reed_and_barton_Longwood/ReedandBarton?p=RB10GG&gclid=CKr1ppzsra0CFcYZQgodnTwxmw), our silver is Wallace (Barocco) (http://www.silversuperstore.com/wallace/sterling_silver_flatware/barocco_silverware.html), our everyday china is Heath Ceramics (Coupe Line in aqua/brown) ( http://www.heathceramics.com/go/heath/homeware/store/index.cfm?catID=5#options), and our fine china is Noritake Fullerton (http://www.replacements.com/webquote/N__FUL.htm) (which has since been discontinued, but Replacements Limited has decent prices on it.

We got most of the flatware and fine china came from Macy's (both sterling, and stainless), and our everyday china we have been getting directly from Heath Ceramics website, and or their store in Los Angeles. When our fine china was discontinued we bought some directly from Noritake at close out prices. I also bought some pieces on eBay. We just started getting the Heath stuff about 3 yrs. It isn't cheap, but we have gotten quite a few seconds from the store in LA that you would never know are seconds:)

I will say that these days unless you are in an upscale area Macy's seems to keep less and less of the nicer stuff in the stores than they used to.

[LD92599]

The lenox warehouse! We just bought a set this year...we host holidays and now with my mom coming to live with us...means more holidays here.