It costs a buttload to rent or buy tableware (dishes and flatware). There are so-called high end disposables that everyone swears look like the real thing but really don't. They look okay, I suppose, but as soon as you pick them up (okay, as soon as you look even a little closely), it's obvious that they are plastic.
My plan, in trying not to bust the budget, is to get cloth tablecloths & cloth napkins, use the high end disposable plates and flatware, and dollar-store real ceramic coffee mugs.
How harshly will I be judged?