Once you have begun to create a Bridal Registry, chosen the china and stemware, another task lies before you - selecting flatware! Some ask what is flatware? Simply put, it is the eating utensils otherwise known as cutlery.

Caroline Bishop of Kingsmills in London, Ontario says ‘Flatware should enhance the look of your stemware.’ Bear this in mind when choosing flatware. Not only should it enhance your stemware but co-ordinate or complement the china too.

There are four major types of flatware, Sterling Silver, Silverplate, Goldplate and Stainless Steel.

Sterling Silver – Sterling Silver is the Cadillac of flatware, this the high end of cutlery and an heirloom piece, very durable and will last for generations to come. It is made of 99.9% sterling silver and is handmade, requiring more time, attention and detail, therefore making it more expensive.

Silverplate – Silverplate has 92.5% of the average amount of silver and 7.5% copper to add more strength and durability. There may also be 10% nickel mixed with the copper and zinc. Often Silverplate has a metal alloy base (a mixture of metals) with a silver coating. This flatware is not as expensive as the Sterling Silver but provides many years of wear and plenty of patterns to choose from.

Goldplate – Goldplate flatware will give the china and stemware a different look. If the china and stemware have a gold edging, this will enhance the appearance, giving it a rich feel. Goldplate is usually a metal base such as Sterling Silver or Stainless Steel and coated in 10 karat gold.

Stainless Steel – Stainless Steel flatware is usually a combination of steel, chromium and nickel. When one hears 18/8 flatware, this means that there is 18% chrome and 8 % nickel in the metal. The chrome helps prevent erosion while the nickel adds strength and lustre. Stainless Steel comes in many patterns but is not as expensive as the Sterling Silver or the Silverplate.

Most flatware set come in 4, 6, and 8 piece settings, which includes a dinner knife, salad fork, soup/dessert spoon and teaspoon. Some sets have an optional hostess set, which includes bread knife, gravy ladle, sugar spoon and tablespoon while other patterns may offer a berry spoon, a slotted tablespoon and larger serving spoons.

Learn as much as you can about flatware. Go online and write down which patterns jump out or appeal to taste and lifestyle. Caroline Bishop of Kingsmills in London, Ontario says ‘It’s amazing how many brides arrive with such knowledge about china, stemware and flatware, they’ve certainly done their homework!’

When choosing flatware, keep in mind budget. Some guests may be able to afford the hostess set while others can only afford one place setting. When in the selection process, if possible lay out a place setting of the china and stemware already chosen and lay each of the flatware pattern choices next to it. Does it enhance your stemware? Does it compliment your china? If these questions are answered with a yes, then the couple has completed the process of selecting flattering flatware.

By: Judy Thompson