I'm finding the cost of charger plates to be outrageous and looking for alternative ideas to them. I found these placemats online after Sue-N-Kevin suggested her idea. (Thanks!)
Our theme is centered around travel and maps. Our centerpieces are a stack of books, 2 silver candle sticks, and a hyrangea arrangement. We get white or ivory linens for free (table cloths, napkins, chair covers). This is just a mock-up with fabric lying around the house. We'd also get a better napkin ring than the tape roll shown.
Do the placemats say "formal wedding" or does it end up looking chintzy?

Re: PIP: Charger Plate alternatives
Planning Bio {Updated 4/9/11}
What is the blue thing under the napkin? Is it your menu card? Something else?
FYI, if you want napkin rings, I have about 120 vine ones I got at Dealer's Discount Floral (2 for 25 cents). I might find a use for them, not sure. But now I've decided to have the napkins folded in rectangular "book" form, with the menu tucked into it, and I'm making enclosures to wrap around the napkins that are flat, with sola flowers glued to them on top.