Post # 1
Member
2 posts
Wannabee
I am planning a wedding at a gorgeous farm space but I am not doing anything traditional, no wedding party groom can NOT wear a tux and so on. So needless to say we are looking for very fun, comfortable and casual casual We are almost positive we are going to go with Famous Daves for catering. So my dilema is nice sturdy throw away plates or do I start to go garage sale/ thrift store crazy and buy enough plates in hopes that I later sell them?? It really shouldn’t be that big of a deal BUT it is driving me nuts!!!
Post # 3
Member
429 posts
Helper bee
Can you rent plates?
Personally, I’d prefer a ‘real’ plate to a paper plate, but I think they do make some nicer paper plates these days.
Post # 4
Member
2469 posts
Buzzing bee
I used plastic plates, and when talking to my guests months later they gush about the food and when I tell them I toiled over the use of plastic vs. real they told me they didn’t even remember the plate, and that the food was so good they would have eaten off the table.
Post # 5
Member
2119 posts
Buzzing bee
Paper has the advantage of no dishes, but it’s just not as nice as porcelain. IKEA has super cheap ones that you could get if you want to avoid the stress of finding suitable stuff at garage sales. Funny enough, the name “Lugn” means calm… perhaps a good starting point if you want to avoid those bridal nerves! 🙂
Post # 6
Member
7225 posts
Busy Beekeeper
No one will remember the plates. However, real plates was the only thing I went bridezilla over — I wanted to eat off of a real plate, not paper or plastic.
Post # 7
Member
404 posts
Helper bee
- Wedding: May 2014 - Smithfield Center
You’ll have to keep in mind that some people might, no matter how untraditional your wedding is, feel that paper plates are just not ‘right.’ Some people won’t even eat off paper plates believe it or not! I’d say go with plastic if you’re really not going to have china/glass plates.
Post # 8
Member
333 posts
Helper bee
I prefer a real plate but I went to a wedding that used paper ones and no one cared. The food was great and everyone had fun. I would say that if you are going this route get some sturdier ones….the cheap ones tend to bend under the weight of the food.
Post # 9
Member
1802 posts
Buzzing bee
I like the idea of disposeable plates, I may even be using them for my own reception. Have you looked into other types of disposeable plates besides paper? This website has biodegradable plates made from potato starch which people say are pretty solid. A little nicer looking than a standard paper plate but still easy to deal with at the end of the evening. I don’t think guests will care too much about the plates as long as they’re getting fed 🙂
Post # 10
Member
7384 posts
Busy Beekeeper
@bleusteel: Oh, I like these.
Paper is fine IF they’re nicer ones. However, you’ll have to think about the durability with bbq (YUM, Famous Dave’s).
Post # 11
Member
849 posts
Busy bee
The people who catered brought along plastic/styrofoam trays, which worked just as well for clean up puproses – we didn’t have to spend the next day doing even more dishes! The type of plate really doesn’t bother me, so long as it holds my food and doesn’t blow away!
I would say, however, that if people are being served food (which I’m not sure in your case, but I’m guessing not?) that then real plates would be preferable. Buffet style however, I’d go paper/plastic!
Post # 12
Member
2 posts
Wannabee
first of THANKS so much for all replies!!! I guess I should have rephrased my question to disposable plates. Not flimsy ugly plaincapper plates, I would get nice sturdy better looking plates. As far as renting them I could I guess but if I’m gonna do real plates I would love mismatched china, that’s why I would thirft it all :). Thanks keep the thoughts coming
Post # 13
Member
2943 posts
Sugar bee
I bought mine from http://www.smartyhadaparty.com. Cheaper than renting, and they are disposable. They are really sturdy and nice looking!
Post # 14
Member
208 posts
Helper bee
I have been to plenty of weddings that have used paper/plastic plates. No one cared. I am using disposable plates for my dinner. I don’t know yet if they will be plastic or heavy paper/cardboard type plates. My caterer is supplying them and we have to deal with the final clean up in the hall and I don’t want to be doing dishes for hours.
Post # 15
Member
137 posts
Blushing bee
Post # 16
Member
7960 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
costco used to have some really sturdy disposable clear plastic plates. large ones and small ones. they also have nice disposable cutlery.