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Walk into the glittering, expansive showroom at Baccarat and one fact becomes clear: There's more than one kind of crystal, and most of the good stuff bears little resemblance to your grandmother's look-but-don't-touch stemware. Here, customers are encouraged to (carefully) caress the crystal's cool smoothness, whether in a classic goblet or a jewel-toned vase. Since the glory days of Louis XVIII, Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, and FDR, Baccarat's been the civilized world's premier source of fine art crystal, with wine glasses and Champagne flutes particularly beloved by two centuries of brides (and their mothers). Today, the traditional collections are counterbalanced by whimsical animal miniatures and showpiece works of the crystalmaker's art, like intricately cut sconces that rival Cinderella's disco ball, and the extraordinary Diva vase, which lies flat to receive sprawling bouquets. For engaged couples who anticipate very generous guests, or for those who host state dinners on a regular basis, Baccarat also imports the Gien fine French porcelain.  — Susan Avery

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Couples drawn to the gorgeous crystal registry can pick out stemware, vases, candlesticks, and more.