About

Welcome. I’m Cindy, the owner of The China Cabinet.

I am a lifelong lover of beautiful things, a mother of six, and a professional who believes that even in our fast-paced world, there is immense value in the slow, intentional beauty of a perfectly set table.

The Grandeur of the Wedding Table

For many, the wedding table is the first “family table” ever set, a place where two histories join together. We specialize in bespoke wedding hire, providing Christchurch couples with a curated inventory that transforms a venue into a masterpiece.

Our collection offers a vast choice to reflect your unique theme:

  • A Silver Narrative: From ornate cutlery and stately candelabras to delicate vases, salt and pepper cellars, and grand champagne urns.

  • The Crystal Edit: Add sparkle with our crystal candlesticks, tumblers, bowls, comports and a full range of wine and champagne flutes.

  • The Warmth of Brass: Create a timeless glow with our vintage brass vases, candlesticks, and urns.

Whether you are hosting an opulent marquee wedding or a sophisticated garden ceremony, we provide the heirloom pieces that move beyond “decor” and become part of your story.

The Intimacy of the High Tea

Beyond the grandeur of weddings, I am deeply passionate about the High Tea. It is one of the few truly multi-generational occasions where a grandmother, a daughter, and a grandchild can share a moment of shared joy. I’ve seen how these pieces act as a bridge, sparking “I remember these!” stories and stimulating conversation. It is the perfect medium for bridal showers, milestone birthdays, or a dignified celebration of life.

A Personal Journey

My connection to this collection is personal. I first experienced the magic of these treasures as a client, hiring them for my own 40th and 50th birthdays, and most meaningfully, for my mother’s 80th celebration.

Having sat on “your side” of the table, I understand the heart that goes into organizing these milestones. As a mother, I know we are often the “engine room” of the family, the ones investing our time into everyone else’s joy. I’ve seen firsthand how a beautifully set table, whether for 10 guests or 100, is a gift to the host and the guest alike.

The Heritage & The Modern Curator

The China Cabinet began in 2007 with its founder, Maureen, and her vision that fine china, silverware, and crystal should not be tucked away, but used and celebrated. Today, I am honored to carry that vision forward.

My life is a vibrant mix of management, a full-time career, and long walks with my two Cavoodles, Speedo and Finn. I bring that same professional attention to detail and organizational precision to every event we touch, ensuring your hire experience is as seamless as it is beautiful.

Our Philosophy: Sustainable Luxury

In an era of “fast-decor,” we offer a more conscious choice. Every piece in our collection is a carefully preserved heirloom, a naturally sustainable, zero-waste alternative for the host who refuses to compromise on elegance. We specialize in heirloom quality and sustainable luxury, ensuring your wedding or high tea is as kind to the future as it is respectful of the past.

I can’t wait to share this collection with you, let us help you set the stage for a lifetime of memories!

Our collection of beautiful vintage tableware will add a touch of elegance to any special occasion

We supply to private individuals, caterers, venues, event planners, stylists and more. We supply for birthdays & anniversaries, baby showers, engagements, bridal showers, weddings, retirement parties, garden parties, afternoon teas & high teas.

What we offer

Local Service

We offer a personal delivery service Canterbury wide and elsewhere by arrangement. Viewings at and collections from our Rolleston base are welcome by appointment.

The Little Details

Not sure about items or quantities required? Let us help. With over 16 years’ experience we can assist with all the small details to ensure the perfect setup for your special occasion.

Extensive Hire Range

We have a vast hire collection catering to all events from small to large. It is all in immaculate condition with many colours and patterns available.

Kind words

“The China Cabinet is a china lover’s paradise. Maureen has taken care in ensuring she has the most beautiful collection of fine china pieces for people to enjoy and use, her collection range goes far wider than any other person’s collection I have seen. Maureen’s pieces are perfectly intact and are always delivered in person. She offers to help set up her china for events to ensure it is always looking ‘just right’. I have used her pieces for a variety of different events/occasions, from high teas, lunches and afternoon teas and I would never look anywhere else again when it comes to hiring china.”

“The China Cabinet has the most beautiful vintage tea sets! Maureen never fails to provide an extremely smooth and reliable service! She always goes above and beyond! We have loved hiring from her for our Women in Engineering high tea events over the years and will continue to do so!”

“Thanks for having the most amazing hire products that have been so beautifully cared for! Everyone adored using the teacups and Tracey Allsopp Photography couldn’t get enough of those champagne glasses! You were so wonderful to deal with 🥰”

“I love your china so much. I have been following you for ages and I was always going to be using your china at my wedding.  I actually had you on Pinterest before I even had a fiancé 😂”

“I have hired silver trays, tea pots, cake stands and champagne glasses for high tea fundraisers and birthday parties. Everything was well organised and reasonably priced. Highly recommended!”

“Fantastic selection of china! Such fun selecting each piece for my daughter’s first birthday, will definitely hire from here again.”

“Maureen has an impressive China collection and was a absolute pleasure to deal with from initial enquiries through to collection & recipe advice. Thank you!”

“This event was a great success last year and your gorgeous tea sets really elevate the high tea experience.”

“I have hired from The China Cabinet several times and have been impressed with both the quality of china and other items for hire, and the impeccable customer service provided by Maureen. The whole process of selecting china to pickup/delivery is stress free every time and the china is top quality – no chips or cracks or wear. My guests have always been “wowed” by the beautiful china. I highly recommend Maureen and The China Cabinet.”

“Honestly could not have been happier. There is everything you could ever hope to hire for a tea party at The China Cabinet and the array of options to select from is seemingly endless! When it comes to tea and china, Maureen is passionate and knows exactly what she’s doing which made the whole process so much fun and so easy. She was so wonderful to work with – having an amazing collection of very pretty and high quality china, and is also such a lovely person. Could not recommend working with The China Cabinet enough.”

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