Plate Opinion Please

VitaLuna

Hi ladies. I know you all will be oh so honest, so I have a question for you all.What's your opinion on using paper plates for the reception dinner. It's not going to be super formal (i.e. no chair covers, having homestyle Mexican catering, etc), but I don't want it to look cheap. What do you all think? Paper plates ok? Or too cheap looking and need to go with the real thing? Thanks!

louisvillebride21

Absolutely not on paper plates unless it's a back yard bbq or picnic. However, I think it's Chinet that makes really nice looking clear plastic ones. They won't break the bank, but they will be a good step up from the regular paper ones.

thesuninherhead

I say no to the paperplatess. I don't know what style you're going for, but I would even suggest thrift shopping for mismatched plates to use for the reception rather than paper (I've seen some really cute pictures of weddings like this, actually).

carrieoz_76

At least do the clear plastic ones! No paper, though.

klovesd

If you're going to use something disposable I'd go with plastic instead. Besides, they're sturdier and look nicer

thesuninherhead

so it appears that my fingers have just created a new word. In any case, I'm sure you know what I was talking about! I'm going to go and look for these plate pictures for you!

Koopa17

Agreed, unless we're talking backyard BBQ I think paper plates are too casual. 

thesuninherhead

this, this: http://amandaplanning.blogspot.com/2009/01/funky-lovely-mismatched-plates.html or this: http://www.oncewed.com/16309/real-weddings-blog/once-wed/a-country-wedding/ [img]http://www.oncewed.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/record-party-ideas.jpg[/img]

thesuninherhead

Hmm ok so that didn't quite show what I was going for given there are two pictures there, but: [img]http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_KiJecrO0h3M/SWekKobqfwI/AAAAAAAAAj0/NJCb_QHqWpU/s320/mwa104405_win09_plates_xl.jpg[/img]

VitaLuna

Ok... thank you for talking sense into me! : ) I've never had an event where I've had to rent china/utensils.... is it a PITA?

thesuninherhead

Renting (at least in my area) is almost as expensive as purchasing cheap (or thrift store) items. If you have a tiny budget- and don't dig my gorgeous vintage plate ideas!- I would say do the clear thick plastic plates. You can buy them in bulk at places like Ikea.

VitaLuna

Ooohhh... I never thought of the Ikea idea, but now that you mention it, they do have some fun plastic non-disposable-looking plates for cheap. I think I might just have to check that out. Good idea! Thanks!

thesuninherhead

I don't know about where you are, but here Ikea does specials for bulk purchases to, so you might be able to get a bargain there.

thesuninherhead

*too, even

VitaLuna

I live in Seattle... but could get them either here or in Portland. How do I find out more about bulk prices? Just go to the store and ask?

thesuninherhead

I guess so- ours just has a price displayed for bulk purchases as well as the regular price (of course, it could vary by country! in any case, worth asking).

VitaLuna

I'll look into it. Thanks!

bharnett

Please go for the real thing. You can probably even get cheap plates at IKEA if that's what it came down to it.

scoetto

We used plastic plates that looked like china (white plate with thin silver line around the rim) and plastic utensils that looked like the real metal ones. Look at costco or sams club for the plates and utensils. Google Reflection ware to look at the utensils. We got compliments on both.

tmm140

I agree with PP--not paper plates. They make a ton of nicer looking plates that are cheap and not like china. Our venue didn't use glasses--they did at an extra cost but I refused to pay for glasses!! Anywho, it was all plastic cups and I was super worried that people were going to dub my wedding the trashiest wedding of the year, but my friends were good sports and by the end of the night we were all laughing about it and it wasn't AS bad as I thought it would be,

morainemom

If you want the clear plastic plates and utensils, your best bet would be to check out Sam's Club or Costco.

janedoe1113a

We're doing the same thing as sco.  We're doing a buffet and it would just be a pain to rent plates and flatware.

VitaLuna

Maybe I'll look into the nice plastic stuff, too. I didn't know they made heavy duty (or nice) plastic plates... just the heavy Chinet paper kind.Are you using a particular brand for the plates or getting them from a particular spot (we don't have a Sam's Club, but does Costco have the fancy type?) I looked up the Reflection Ware for the flatware and looked like a decent price... $35 for a case of 600.Thanks again!