Registering for Glassware
Glassware, crystal or drink ware is one of the three most popular categories of items placed on a bridal registry. Like flatware and dinnerware glassware comes in two categories formal and casual.
Formal glassware or stemware is usually made of crystal. This includes wine and water glasses. There are four basic shapes for crystal stemware round, tulip, flare and bucket. Crystal stemware is usually very delicate and requires some special care to keep it looking good and in good condition. First crystal should never be put in the microwave or dishwasher. Secondly you should always hand wash and dry your crystal glassware. Don’t store crystal on the bowl with the stem up in air. The bowl is the most delicate part and can be easily chipped under the weight of the glass. Secondly when you store crystal make sure the glasses aren’t touching each other, this prevents chipping or cracking.
Casual glassware or barware as it is sometimes called is the glasses you are going to be drinking from every day. They usually consist of tall drinking glass known as highballs. Low drinking glasses known as a lowball or double old fashioned, and juice glasses. You should follow the manufacturer’s recommendations as far as dishwasher is concerned.
When choosing glassware it’s not important that your formal glassware match your casual glassware. It is important that all of your formal tabletop items match each other and all of your casual tabletop items match each other. Additionally formal glassware has come a long way with styling. Gone are the mason jars, and jelly jars of your grandmothers kitchen, today you can choose sharp crisp clean designs or graceful curved lines to complete the look of your table.
Some popular brands of crystal glassware, stemware and barware you are likely to encounter are Godinger, Lalique, Lenox, Mikasa, Swarovski, Waterford and Cristal d’Arques.