By The Associated Press

Registries have many answers, but often you need, or want, to make an independent decision for a wedding gift. Some suggestions to get you started:

• An eye-catching, elegant choice might be the Rothschild Bird Tureen ($1,278 for the 4-quart size; $957 for the 2-quart) from the Hungarian porcelain maker, Herend. The hand-painted piece features 12 different 19th century motifs, each representing a Hungarian legend about Baroness Rothschild, who lost her pearl necklace in her Vienna garden, found later when the gardener noticed it being played with by birds in a tree. The pattern features birds and butterflies, with three-dimensional rosettes and a bird or branch as as the lid finial.
• It's a design influenced by the splendor of Harlech Castle in Wales. First introduced in 1971 by Wedgwood under the name "Harlech," it's now called "Juliet" after Shakespeare's romantic heroine. It features a rococco border of swirling floral motifs against a pale sage band; there's a slender line of beading and platinum edging. A five-piece place setting is $165. A note about Wedgwood patterns: Register your pattern choice with the company, and it will notify you if the pattern is to be discontinued. That way, you can order to complete your set or exchange it for another pattern of equal value.
• A cheery collection of fruit and plant motifs are featured in Pfaltzgraff's "Jamberry" stoneware ($57.25 for a five-piece place setting). Different pieces depict plums, cherries, strawberries, raspberries or blackberries, and the teapot has sculpted berries as its lid finial.
• Crosshaven crystal stemware from Waterford is a classic diamond cross-cut design that complements almost any china pattern choice. And the Irish crystal company never discontinues any stemware pattern, so the collection can be built affordably over time. Each goblet, continental champagne and wine stem is $49.50; the footed iced beverage glass is $59.50. If the bridal couple happens to choose and register for a Waterford China pattern, they get membership in the Waterford Society, which posts news and special buys to customers.
• You don't have to drink out of it to enjoy crystal. Bulgari offers ashtrays, frames and candleholders in its Crystal Giftware line ($195-$250). One example is a stemmed candleholder ($175) in the Eccentrica pattern.
• At 6 inches tall, it could start out as a cake topper, then become a treasured bibelot in the couple's home. "Love Everlasting" ($90), created by artist Adrian Hughes, is from Royal Doulton's Images collection of figurines. Sculpted in white bone china, the bride and groom figures are shown standing side by side with hands clasped.
• The Scottish Luckenbooth (or locked booth, of a jeweler' shop in Edinburgh's Royal Mile) is an image showing two entwined hearts. A brooch with this design is a traditional engagement gift to the bride-to-be; later, when the couple has its first child, the brooch is pinned to the baby's shawl for protection. The Luckenbooth glass paperweight ($150) by Caithness captures the imagery with the two hearts in tiny millefiori flowers against a background of red swirls, framed in a circle of the tiny flowers.
• A 5-inch Victorian bride figure in resin ($14) or a bride shown in a cameo frame ($10) are among hanging ornaments with bridal themes designed by Louis Nichole for Kurt S. Adler. These have a lacy antique old-world look.

By phone or Web:

Kurt S. Adler -- 1-800-243-9267, ext. 297; www.kurtadler.com

Bulgari -- 1-800-BULGARI

Caithness -- 1-800-452-7987; www.caithnessglass.co.uk

Martin's Herend Imports -- 1-800-643-7363; www.herendusa.com

Royal Doulton -- 1-800-682-4462; www.royal-doulton.com

Waterford/Wedgwood -- www.wwusa.com

Captions: (NY708-Dec. 11) SPARKLING GIFT -- Crosshaven cut crystal stemware from Waterford is a classic choice for a wedding present. From left are goblet, flute, wine and iced beverage. (AP Photo/Waterford)

(NY709-Dec. 11) ETERNAL PAIR -- A wedding couple, sculpted in white bone china by Adrian Hughes for Royal Doulton, can top the cake at the wedding and remain a keepsake after. (AP Photo/Royal Doulton)

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