Choose your dishes first. They are the centre of attention on the table and once they are chosen, everything else will be coordinated around them. Make sure that they suit the kind of lifestyle you live.

When choosing your dinnerware try to choose something classical that you will not grow tired of. If you choose something that is very fashionable now, it might turn out to be very out of fashion later. Simple designs and colours will also be easier to accessorize and replace if you ever have the need to.

If you're not sure what colour you want choose white, off-white or glass. You can always add colour with accessories and decorations. White and glass won't limit the colours you can accessorize with. You can even make your whites decorative by choosing different shapes, such as square or curvy designs.

Before you register for that gorgeous pattern that you just have to have, stop. Imagine how that pattern will look with a portion of food served onto it. Be wary of choosing a pattern that will be off-putting when you're eating a meal.

You should probably add a minimum of 8 but preferably 12 table settings to your registry. This will come in extremely handy over the years as your family might grow or you begin to entertain your friends.

Add a complete set, in the same pattern as your dishes, to your registry. This should include a creamer, a covered sugar bowl, a vegetable bowl and a platter. It is important to make sure that you register for all the accessories that you will need for each dish.

Make sure that your casual dinnerware is practical for everyday use. It should be oven, microwave, freezer and dishwasher safe. Durability and superb quality are important to avoid cracks and chips.

Consider the size and weight of the dinnerware. Take your lifestyle into account. The plates must be big enough to fit your meals, the mugs must be comfortable to hold. Your dinnerware should also be the right size to fit into both your dishwasher and your kitchen cupboards.

Many couples are finding that they don't want to register for both everyday dinnerware and fine china. Remember it is perfectly acceptable to register for just casual dinnerware, if that fits your lifestyle. Some couples are also more comfortable registering for two sets of casual dinnerware instead of the china. One set would be plain for everyday use and the other set would be a little more formal, maybe with an elegant pattern.