Post # 1

Member
712 posts
Busy bee
- Wedding: October 2012 - establishment theatre
I wanted an easy cleanup since our venue doesnt offer a staff, our caterer will be cleaning up their stuff in the kitchen and the buffet table but for everything else were required to clean up. we have the venue till midnight and then clean up has to be completly done by 1( im planning on having some friends do the clean up) so to help with this i chose to do everything with disposables. the caterer is providing real plates and silverware for the buffet. so I got desert size plates for the cocktail hour and cupcake table, plastic forks for the cocktail hour and paper napkins. we also got disposable wine classes and drink cups for the bar and the tables. and even did disposable paper placemats and plastic table clothes( everything is in our colors) i even designed my centerpieces to just toss at the end of the night ( jars i have collected with rocks and small candles in them)….however i keep seeing posts and comments from people that its tacky. I dont think so for a more laid back evening…is there anyone else doing disposables?
Post # 3

Member
130 posts
Blushing bee
I don’t think it’s tacky but it does seem like a lot of waste. We’re using disposable plates with real silverware, glassware and linens. Could you do linen tablecloths and napkins since they don’t need to be washed at the venue?
If you’re looking for something a bit nicer and more environmentally friendly than plastic check out bamboo. We’re using these plates. They look really nice!
http://www.restaurantware.com/bamboo-disposables/
Post # 4

Member
712 posts
Busy bee
- Wedding: October 2012 - establishment theatre
We did the plastic because of the cost…it cost me 30 bucks total for all the tableclothes…..and 20 for all the placemats. the jars are ones i collected from family and friend and my own house over a span of about 4 months…..linens if rented would still have to be taken home and washed and then folded and taken back and I didnt want to have to mess with it.
Post # 5

Member
478 posts
Helper bee
i went to a wedding that had disposable everything, other than the wine glasses. in the end, it was like, who cares? people are so judgemental, sheesh! it’s hard to imagine some person sitting there with their panties in a wad complaining about how plastic had to touch their lips, lol! it’s such a minor detail, that if you don’t care about it, and it makes your life easier, go for it.
Post # 6

Member
2103 posts
Buzzing bee
We did. We self-catered, our venue did not have helper staff, it was very DIY and it didn’t make much sense to me to do it any other way. It was a more casual wedding, though. We had a taco bar buffet.
Post # 7

Member
4371 posts
Honey bee
@peanutbutter1205: Those are really good looking. I am always iffy on plastic disposable because I’m big on the being green. Thanks for the link, I’ll have to check it out for my next party.
Post # 8

Member
667 posts
Busy bee
we had real tablecloths but plastics forks, spoons, plates, cups, and paper napkins. It’s no big deal people didn’t care. We had a taco bar buffet too. I didn’t want to spend my evening washing dishes.
Post # 9

Member
712 posts
Busy bee
- Wedding: October 2012 - establishment theatre
ok im feeling lots better about this!
Post # 10

Member
1052 posts
Bumble bee
Post # 11

Member
1 posts
Wannabee
We did real table cloths for our reception but disposible plates, cups, and flatware from our catering company. It would have been an extra $200 to have the nice silverware, which really didnt seem worth the money to me and my fiance, since were already paying for the wedding all ourselves. At the end of the day, I doubt anyone will even think twice about them being disposible. And if anyone does then their just being snobby.
Post # 12

Member
712 posts
Busy bee
- Wedding: October 2012 - establishment theatre
yep feeling better especially since i already bought everything! lol and yeah…im not so eco minded, i couldnt care less to spend more money on stuff thats going to get thrown away just for the “eco” sticker on it…..
Post # 13

Member
3268 posts
Sugar bee
As long as it is a casual function it is probably ok from a tackiness point of view.
But I think it is a HUGE waste. Money is not the only consideration in my books. I would probably be so cautious about using anything more then I absolutely had to, it may impact my enjoyment of the event. But I am extremely environmentally conscious.
Post # 14

Member
1543 posts
Bumble bee
I’m doing real plates and silverware for the dinner but for cake and drinks for the bar – all plastic. WHY? Because I could honestly care less and because its cheaper. I do plan on renting one real wine glass per adult – re use it or you get plastic.
Don’t worry about it.
Post # 15

Member
10365 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
I can’t believe rental tablecloths would need to be laundered and pressed by you. Are you sure about that? I’ve never heard that or seen it before. Our linen rentals were done through our caterers and they took care of all of the setup and cleanup.
Post # 16

Member
712 posts
Busy bee
- Wedding: October 2012 - establishment theatre
yeah the local rental company you are required to wash all linens before returning them by the end of business the next day. we already have to return the bar and beverage dispensers the next day (Thank GOd they are picking up the chairs right after the ceremony) but it actually cost more for the delivery than the actaul rental cost! but whatever. and
@Kate0558: yep Im totall with you on the dont care part…i thought well maybe im doing something totally wrong but now im just gonna keep with what i got and go with it…at the end of the night whoever is cleaning can roll up the table cloth with everything and just pitch it! and our caterer is providing real plates and silverware for dinner…