Disposable plates/flatware....

ekilzer1

I am just looking for everyone's opinion here... 

The idea was kinda tossed at me and I am really not sure how I feel about it. It feels cheap- but the more I thought about it- there are other places I would like to spend money too (ie: a photo booth... so I am trying to cut costs) Are guests REALLY gonna care what they are eating off of? (as long as it's not the floor!!) 

ekilzer1

We are having a pretty casual wedding- not quite jeans and t-shirts! But it is at an old schoolhouse. Lots of very very simple, rustic DIY elements.  For awhile we even considered a BBQ reception dinner- instead we are doing a simple buffet, chicken, pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes, veggies. No elegant 5 course meal- not even close....

SaraAndrew2010

I think disposable is fine for a very casual BBQ type reception.  Anything more formal than that and I would definitely notice/care what I was eating off of.  Also, pork tenderloin seems like something that might be difficult to cut with plastic utensils on a paper plate.

aerinpegadrak

We had a more formal reception, but went with disposables because the site had no kitchen and no possible way of cleaning or storing dirty dishes.  We got the nicest disposables we could find, but it was just easier that way.

amityr1976

I voted yes, but with one reservation.  We are having a casual reception with some simple finger sandwiches, veggies, cheese/fruit tray, etc.  We will be using heavy clear plastic plates and silverware that many caterers use.  This will save us $250 over even renting...so I say yes as long as they're not cheap paper that you would find at the grocery store or party store.  

sister2groom

Maybe compromise will real flatware, Sam's club has ridiculously low prices, something like 50c/piece.

ekilzer1

Thanks everyone!!! 

I am still WAY away from actually making the decision, but it just came up in conversation today and got me thinking.

If I do go with disposables it would certainly be quality heavy duty plastic- not a flimsy little paper thing... 

Good point about not having a kitchen! My venue doesn't have a kitchen either! I never even thought about that.... 

Thanks again!

Sue-n-Kevin

I'll give you my (long winded) answer for what it's worth.

We ARE at the point where this has come up, but we can always decide later based on our budget. I had a very intelligent conversation with one of our caterer options this week.

Rentals of plates run about the same as the "nice, hard" plastics route. I just checked the price at Costco this week of their "Masterpiece" plastics, as I had a $3.50 off per package coupon, good for up to 3 packages. Each package has 25 salad/dessert plates, and 25 dinner plates, so for 100 people I'd need 5 packages (to allow for additional 25 plates of each in case people go back for more)

Here's the breakdown:

3 packs @ $16.99 - $3.50 = $40.47
2 packs @ $16.99 = $33.98

That's $74.45, or roughly 75 cents per person.

Rentals of just those 2 plate types are $1.27 per person based on our caterer's quote, an overall difference of 52 cents per person, or $52 for 100 people (our expected guest count).

In addition to dinner and salad/dessert plates, you'll need something for coffee if you are having it, plus utensils and glassware. I'm not sure for us whether I draw the line at the utensils, or just the glassware, but I don't want EVERYTHING to be disposable. I'd like to have real glass water goblets, not sure about the bar service.

We do have a "caterer's kitchen" at our venue. If we have real dinnerware, the caterer has to supply someone (they call it a "busser" or "service person") to clear the tables and clean off the tableware before removing it from the premises. This runs an additional $120 for the period of time they are there.

All in all, with our $5000 budget, it's a difference of about $200 between real and disposables for 100 people.

Also, she told me that plastic prices are staying near the cost of rentals because plastics involve the price of oil...........which is why the price won't budge much.

Good luck in your decision. With no kitchen, however, unless there is access to a hose or water source nearby, you may not have many options.

jerseydevil

After reading that your wedding will be casual, I voted yes.

It totally depends on the overall vibe of your wedding.

gwencortopassi

Hubbs and I just went to a wedding with heavy appetizer stations.  The plates were disposable (cocktail-sized), and nothing about it felt cheap.  I think it's a case-by-case basis.  Go with your gut and your budget

amityr1976

Here are a couple links to websites that have inexpensive "heavy duty" disposables.  They even have some that look like real china and they are signifacantly less expensive (about 1/2 the price) of one of the posts above that mentions Costco.


http://www.webstaurantstore.com/wna-comet-cw6180-6-clear-plastic-classicware-plate-18-pk/999CW6180C%20%20CL18.html

http://www.smartyhadaparty.com/Category330-Cake_Plates_/_Saucers.aspx

ki10

Ooof, yeah, if you don't have a kitchen, you might end up needing disposables. Try to see if any of the eco-friendly options work for you, but otherwise the heavy-duty ones look pretty nice.