PLATES - to rent or to paper? that is the question

shtwilight

I live in small town Iowa, and my HTB and I are having a February wedding.

The idea came to us that we could rent plates from a local vender, but frankly "that's just not the way it's done in our family" -my mother. 

My parents have never been to a wedding that has had real china and they think it is an uneeded expense. 

Compared to other places in the country it is fairly cheap. It is $350 for 155 people. 

So to rent or to paper? that is the question.

s-aries8990

I think, if you can afford it and it's something you want, go for it. Check with the vendor as to responsibility for cleaning them and regarding any broken plates- ask how many (%) usually break at events. If that is all within your budget, go for it! Just as long as mom isn't paying for them, do what you want.

Maggie0829

If you want to rent china, then rent china.  Unless your parents are footing the entire wedding bill then they really have no say in your decision.

Personally, I prefer eating off china when I am at a wedding.  If I am going to get dressed up and look nice I certainly do not want to be carrying around a red solo cup and eating off of dixie dishes.

HobokensFury

Ditto PP. If it's in your budget get the china.

QueerFemme

I actually bought plates from the dollar store and silverware from the restaurant supply store.  Betweeen the rental cost, delivery and pick fees, it was cheaper for me to buy.  Of course, it was a hassle to clean everything after, but I still saved money.   Plus, if I get my act together, I'll sell them and get some of the money back.

Having the real plates looked so much nicer though, so I'm glad I did it.   Paper plates usually means picnic to me. There isn't necessarily anything wrong with that, but it does lower the formality of the event.

I second smartyhadaparty.com   I used their "nicer" plastic plates for the cake.  Buy the silver or gold rimmed disposables. They are actually quite nice.

Maggie0829

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_plates-to-rent-or-to-paper-that-is-the-question?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:5Discussion:5543f91e-88ba-4a6c-a9cb-c1a0692d97faPost:304cea58-9abf-4564-bcbf-80a7626e87ff">Re: PLATES - to rent or to paper? that is the question</a>:
[QUOTE]<strong>I actually bought plates from the dollar store and silverware from the restaurant supply store.  Betweeen the rental cost, delivery and pick fees, it was cheaper for me to buy.  Of course, it was a hassle to clean everything after, but I still saved money.   Plus, if I get my act together, I'll sell them and get some of the money back.</strong> Having the real plates looked so much nicer though, so I'm glad I did it.   Paper plates usually means picnic to me. There isn't necessarily anything wrong with that, but it does lower the formality of the event. I second smartyhadaparty.com   I used their "nicer" plastic plates for the cake.  Buy the silver or gold rimmed disposables. They are actually quite nice.
Posted by cmgilpin[/QUOTE]

This is a good idea too.  If you have an IKEA near you that would be a great place to look because their prices are typically low.

alithebride

honestly that's one of the dumbest reasons i've ever heard to not have your wedding as nice as possibe. your family doesnt like to eat off of nice plates? because no other wedding has had anything but paper plates (really?!?!) means that your wedding has to be like everyone elses? oh please......
if you can swing it get the nice china plates. who knows-maybe you'll change your family for the better. i mean this is not some average saturday afternoon bbq for no reason. it's a wedding! make it as nice as you can afford!!

CAbride13

Rent them. Or buy them like someone else said. If you have to pay for them instead of your parents, do it. I can see a big, casual BBQ reception using paper plates... But not anything even remotely formal. It's worth the added expense

Peavy

If your wedding is casual, then heavy duty plastic is fine.  If you want a more elegant feel, plastic plates don't cut it.  If the rental company wants to charge you more than $1 per plate, then just go buy them at the dollar store.  Afterwards you can sell them to another bride or donate them to charity.

hellagazella

There are also some pretty cool biodegradalbe bamboo plates. I can't have glass at the venue I'm getting married at, so we're doing cool little bamboo utensils and plates. Not as cheap-looking as plastic, and it works with the outdoor lodge we are getting married at. Just in case  you end up not going with nice plates. Either way, if you want the nicer china...go for it. Have a lovely wedding!