Yeah welds go through the porcelain pretty quick. I had to use a grinder when I got the leg sockets welded on my first kettle. If the welder is good enough you would only have a couple small blemishes though instead of bolt heads sticking out.
You could always use bolts and go ahead and bolt the other straps on too, so that it looks uniform.
What kind of kettle is it? A cooker or a looker? Lol