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.
Stay focused, a wedding is just a day long party, but a marrige is for a life time
Re: PLATES - to rent or to paper? that is the question
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.
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.
Websites/blogs where our wedding has been featured:
http://www.dapperq.com/2013/11/a-very-dapper-wedding/
http://www.onabicyclebuiltfortwo.com/2013/10/wedding-christina-g.html
http://4realequalityweddings.com/2014/05/16/g-christina/
[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.
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!!
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.