If you happened to pop over to Bering’s on Friday or Saturday, June 18-19, you no doubt caught a glimpse of the future of fine china and crystal. For two gleaming, glittering, gorgeous days, Houston’s emporium of elegance hosted Lord Wedgwood, of the famed British china dynasty, accompanied by Waterford Wedgwood international spokesperson and arbiter of entertaining excellence Jorge Perez. Big thanks to Bering’s for pairing with Rolls-Royce to bring this terrific twosome to Houston!

For those of you who weren’t able to attend, we snagged an exclusive chat with Perez and Lord Wedgwood, who dished on serving platters, teapots and such, and told us why today’s tabletop registry is all about breaking free of the “china prison” (Perez’s cute term for grandma’s hands-off china hutch). Here’s what we learned:

Lord Wedgwood: Registering for your wedding is not just saying something looks pretty. Yes, it looks pretty, but you should also be able to say, “Wow, we can use it for this and this and this.” Wedgwood has been at this game for 250-plus years, and the reason we’re still in business is based on the legacy of a number of things. One of them is quality. And quality absolutely illustrates that this is something that can be used multiple ways for time immemorial.

Jorge Perez: There is nothing like a Houston bride. These are world-class brides. They’ve had great parenting, and this region of the country is one that still entertains with style. It’s in their blood. We also know that with brides today, they have so much going on in their lives. Registering is a point in time when a bride stops and takes time to think about the future. We may not be the sexy part of wedding planning, like the cake or the venue. But we are about life after the wedding. We’re here to inspire a bride to think about why she might need a teacup. It’s not just for tea. A tea cup can be used for tapas, spicy sauces, holding flowers or serving soup in. We’re here to give brides permission to use these things in many different ways, so you can use that china that your parents or grandparents left in the hutch too long. Get it out of that “china prison!”

Lord Wedgwood: Entertaining is all about creating atmosphere and ambiance. In so many instances, that is so critical to the whole experience. Even the food can be relatively mediocre, as long as you’ve created the right ambiance with lighting, flowers and the right kind of accessories. It just requires a little bit of thought. And if you have put that thought into your registry, then you’re able to draw from the things that are there.

Jorge Perez: And that ambiance we’re talking about really begins at curbside. That’s where your guests should start feeling this incredible evening coming on. And that table, make sure it’s real for you. Don’t set your table for a photo shoot, set it for the purpose of evening. And remember, there are no rules. We just want you to enjoy yourself. Do, though, try to keep the centerpieces low, and the candles and flowers fragrance-free. Also, one of the things we love to advise at Waterford Wedgwood is always do something unexpected. Guests might not remember the meal, but they will remember the experience. So turn that Waterford glass upside down and use it for a votive. Pour the soup out of a coffeepot into a cup and saucer. Your guests will remember that forever. It’s really all about doing simple things in a fabulous way.

Jorge Perez will return to the Houston Wedding Blog to offer his top registry tips in just a few weeks. Trust us, you won’t want to make your list till you check this post…twice. We’ll announce it on Facebook and Twitter when we post, so stay tuned!

For a full gallery of event photos, visit Bering’s bridal blog

Photos: Mike Miller

These days, taffeta, floral arrangements, and seating charts are probably just about the only things on your mind. But what about all the days and years after the big day—you know, married life? If you haven’t prepared for that, take note, Houston bride: Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church offers a four-week Married Life Prep class to help you and your soon-to-be-hubby navigate your so-called happily ever after.

And get this: the class is free. Think of it as the gift of marriage insurance: According to some statistics, taking a premarital class increases your marriage’s chances of lasting by a whopping 50 percent!

For two hours each Sunday morning, you and about 25 other couples will learn how to manage conflicts, nurture admiration for and closeness to your honey, and enjoy sex for many years to come. If you need some guidance in managing money—and who doesn’t?—you can also sign up for a three-session Married Life Money course.

Both classes are taught by Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church’s Minister of Families and Relationships, Brett Hurst, and his wife Kellie. With more than 22 years of marriage under their belt (and two teenagers to boot), the Hursts have plenty of funny anecdotes about married life to share. Throughout the class, they also show movie clips and draw on Scripture as well as leading scholars’ research on marriage. Don’t think of this as school though: You and your guy will get plenty of one-on-one time during Married Life Prep sessions; you’ll also get to know other newlyweds and soon-to-be-weds who face similar challenges.

So when should you take Married Life Prep? Some couples take the class after their wedding. “They may get more out of it because they have the stress of planning the perfect wedding behind them,” says Brett. But it’s generally a good idea to take the class before you tie the knot. You don’t even have to be engaged yet. “Once you’re married, you’re often off and running,” says Brett. “But we spend a lot of time encouraging our students to continue to be students of relationships and marriage because we don’t think couples grow closer unless they’re doing so very intentionally.”

So what are you waiting for? Grab your man and call Patty Leonard at 713.490.0931 to sign up for the next Married Life Prep class.