Growing up it was a family tradition that you got to eat off the red plate on special occasions and celebrations such as your birthday, in honor of making the school play, doing well on a report card or a big win. I’m not sure exactly where it all began, but I think my grandmother gave one to my mother and each of my 6 aunts one year as a gift and thus, a tradition was born.

I like the idea of personalized dinnerware and have a few ideas about how to incorporate it into wedding reception decor, but for now, I thought I’d share these modern, fun personalized plates from Aedriel Originals. I think they’d be great gifts for bridal showers, weddings, for your bridesmaids at your foodie-inspired wedding or rehearsal dinner or to yourself to sit at your sweetheart table! Instead of decorating your chair, why not just skip to the plate?

all from Aedriel Originals

No matter where you are in the planning process, there always seems to be a need to write someone and thank him or her for something. Engagment, shower and little wedding well wishes gifts all deserve a personal, hand-written thank you note.

Wedding gifts deserve them too. Although etiquette has loosened around a number of ways of corresponding with guests, thank you notes are not really an option.

For a few general rules, check out this blog entry from a couple of years ago.

Creating a registry can be a bit overwhelming, but also a lot of fun. After all, who doesn’t like creating a wish list of gifts for others to purchase for you!

In considering your registry, keep in mind these quick tips:

• Stick to a couple of stores. Choosing a national department store or chain with lots of locations will make it easier for your guests to purchase your items at a store in their hometown or online.
• Consider the make-up of your registry. Your registry list will be accessed for engagement gifts, bridal showers and your actual wedding presents. Keeping this range of party types in mind, it will be helpful for your friends and family if you choose stores that offer items that are low-, medium-, and high-end. This way, guests have gifts in a variety of price ranges to choose from.
• It is advised that you complete your registry four to six months before your wedding. This will ensure guests have plenty of time to purchase gifts before your wedding day.
• Register for plenty of items. I was in Williams-Sonoma the other day creating my registry and the woman helping mentioned that people’s number one complaint is that the couple doesn’t register for enough. No need to go crazy, but be sure there are plenty of options.
• Along these lines, although you may have no idea what you’d use high-quality pans for today, you may appreciate having them in the future. It’s impossible to completely know, but worth considering how your life and needs will change in the coming years. It might help to ask your mother, aunts, older friends, mentors, etc. who have been there and have ideas and suggestions of what they are glad they registered for and maybe what they wished they would have included.

Have fun with the process and know that most registries are flexible and can be changed on-line; it’s not set in stone. And, even if you register for something, get it as a gift and change your mind, most stores will allow you to exchange or return it.

pretty wall of plates from Nestled In on flickr