Tacky?

cmmadison · April 2013

My fiancé and I had a rude awakening this weekend when figured out the cost of catering (and we were with an affordable company). We're now trying to think of some ways to cut costs. We're not working with a tiny budget, but didn't prioritize food very high. Are disposable plates and silverware tacky? Is there a way to make it any more classy? A couple options we have right now are working with a catering company to do a buffet with your basic wedding food, look into a local Tex-mex restaurant that caters (we're in Fort Worth and many of the guests are from out of state and vision us for the first time) or something else creative, like a food truck. What do you all think?

staar987 · April 2013

I don't think that disposable plates and silverware are tacky. There are some nice looking options out there (check out smartyhadaparty). Where you will run into problems with this is if you have steak or chicken (or something like that ) that needs to be cut with a knife. Have you ever tried to cut steak with a plastic knife? Not gonna happen. So just be aware of that.

Check out the local Tex-mex restaurants. They might surprise you on price. Also look into local restaurants that you enjoy. They might be on the cheaper end of catering as well.

Maggie0829 · April 2013

I hate to say it but it really wasn't a good idea to not have food as a high priority. Food is probably one of the things that should be at the top of your priority list. Sure it is nice if the venue is pretty and the decorations are elaborate but all that money put into those things certainly don't fill up my belly.

I am not a fan of plasticware especially if you are having more then just apps because those plastic utensils don't cut crap. I would look into renting actual china or even maybe purchasing enough sets for your guests from a place like Ikea which has some very inexpensive but nice dinnerware. Then you could turn around and sell your purchase once the wedding is done. Just be aware that if you are doing a buffet you will need to purchase or rent more plates and utensils then the total number of guests in case people go back for seconds and wants to use a new plate.

As for the food type, that is really up to you and the overall feel of your wedding. I would be happy with tex-mex, or bbq, or something of that nature but that food really doesn't relate well to a wedding that is a bit more formal. Also consider italian as an option because you can typically get a large quantity of food for pretty good price.

emgroff · April 2013

If it's tacky, then I guess I'm tacky! We hired a caterer to do a pig roast, so pulled pork, cole slaw, potato salad, etc, for our backyard wedding and they're providing disposable plates, napkins and utensils. We actually did prioritize food very high, but we'd rather eat great pulled pork than mediocre chicken and steak. I guess it depends on your overall vibe and what you're serving. High-quality disposables are perfect for a food truck wedding! But they might be a bit weird for prime rib.

Ro041 · April 2013

We bought disposable silverware, plates and cups for our wedding. BUT - we bought high quality disposables, like plastic silverware that looks like metal silverware, clear platic plates that look like glass (which we got at Sam's club) and nice disposable tumblers.

One of my bride-friends made it clear that you want to get these nicer items because you may not want to have red solo cups in all of your reception pics (although, others may not mind that).

As far as food goes, you can get some good deals but be prepared to do the leg work infinding those deals. Generally speaking, those deals don't exist in bridal magazines, so start hunting!

Maggie0829 · April 2013

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_food-cakes_tacky-2?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:23Discussion:ff3e1fc8-01e6-4507-b8b8-98a6f2d04766Post:7727cd5b-5fdb-41af-94ec-20763ec76412">Re: Tacky?</a>:
[QUOTE]If it's tacky, then I guess I'm tacky! We hired a caterer to do a pig roast, so pulled pork, cole slaw, potato salad, etc, for our backyard wedding and they're providing disposable plates, napkins and utensils. We actually did prioritize food very high, but we'd rather eat great pulled pork than mediocre chicken and steak. I guess it depends on your overall vibe and what you're serving. High-quality disposables are perfect for a food truck wedding! But they might be a bit weird for prime rib.
Posted by emgroff[/QUOTE]

What I meant by prioritize was that food should be the one of the first things on your list because feeding your guests is more important then decor or sparklers for a send off. I didn't mean that having food as a high priority meant a gourmet dinner. Heck I would much rather eat what you are providing then some of the crappy food that I have had at other weddings.

But as a guest I would be a bit irked if I went to some beautifully decorated wedding and then turned around and was given a paper plate with a hot dog on it because food was not something the couple considered until late in the game and then didn't really have the money for it. KWIM? I guess it just would come off to the guests that you cared more about the look of your wedding then the food you were feeding them and that you skimpped on the food so that you could have more elaborate decor.

lyndausvi · April 2013

I'm not really a fan, but that is what you are doing I highly suggest trying the food out on them first. Nothing worse that having plates not heavy enough for the food or they leak or a fork/knife breaks trying to pickup or cut something.

Also Ditto Maggie

mmmiler346 · April 2013

I think that the venue of your wedding decides on whether plasticware is tacky. If it is an out door wedding I think it would have a picnic feel and could be really cute. You could coordinate the plates, utensils, and napkins to fit your color scheme.

Sue-n-Kevin · April 2013

It all depends on the "look" of your wedding.

Are you having this food served in a backyard? At a park? At a more formal venue? Are you wearing a full length gown, your fiance a tuxedo, and the wedding party all decked out?

If you are considering food trucks and Tex-Mex, then you are probably on the more informal side. I don't think there is anything wrong with disposable tableware, however, make it on the nicer side (ie smartyhadaparty.com, or even Costco sells nicer plastic ware).

I agree with the above poster, what do you want in your pictures, and what do you want your guests to remember? There's nothing wrong with casual or informal, but if the entire rest of the wedding is more formal (clothing, decor, setting), then you want to match your tableware to that.

Good luck.

cmmadison · April 2013

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Yes, we are a bit informal. Our venue is an old warehouse with a courtyard. Our budget isn't tiny, but its definitely below average. Our priorities are photography and a good party. There will be and open bar and hopefully, good entertainment. For food, we knew we could never afford an amazing dinner, even if it was our top priority, so we'd rather do something unique and share our favorite, local food with our out of town family, than do mediocre catering. Good thoughts on looking into renting dishware or high quality disposables. Also, I'm glad I'm not the only person considering disposables!

cmmadison · April 2013

Oh and decor will be simple, but still nice.

Ella and Pedro · April 2013

Just to see, have you asked those various local restaurants who cater if they would provide utensils, plates, napkins, etc., and if so, what that would cost you? It might be that they can bring 'real' dishes and utensils and factor that in to the catering charge and in doing so, keep in your budget.

Good luck!

E

freebread03 · April 2013

You could consider buying real plates etc from somewhere like Ikea. Their stuff is amazingly cheap and you could always resell it on Craigslist or eBay after the wedding.

mrsgarofalo · April 2013

We are using biodegradable plates and utencils from EcoPalm. They are beautiful and I can sleep better at night knowing that they won't outlast my marriage in a landfill!

http://www.ecopalmware.com/

I think they will look great. We are planning a slightly informal vintage-y pig roast.

DianaMick1215 · April 2013

We're having an outdoor reception and we're buying disposable plates but renting real silverware b/c we're serving pork and chicken. It doesn't have to be all or nothing! Good luck

Jennyandscott14 · April 2013

You can order in bulk from the dollar store. They usually have some plain white plates. You can buy silverware very reasonable at Sam's club or at a restaurant supply store.

KimandByron · April 2013

We are going with heavy duty plastic plates but renting silverware.

VolatileMizTMD · December 2013

You can make it work when you take the right things into consideration. I was just a guest at a wedding that had a food truck recently. Here was my take on the whole food truck idea:

1. Make sure the quantity of food trucks are a good ratio to the number of guests you have. While one food truck can hold enough supply to serve all the guests, they often do not have the time and manpower resources to crank out food quickly and efficiently. We were waiting up to 20 minutes for our food and by then the food was cold and not so tasty. The wedding had an attendace of about 200 guests and everone was standing out by the food truck waiting for their food instead of inside where the music, dance floor and open bar were.

2. Make the food truck vendor(s) agree to fast service (within 10 minutes of an order) and make sure the food can be HOT.

3. Ample seating and surfaces of some type to place and eat the food. The wedding we were at had small cocktail tables you could stand at with the only other option being bails of hay on which we could sit. So, you either had to eat in your heels standing up or place the food in your lap on a bail of hay hoping not to spill any of the food on our clothes. Wedding guest are tolerant because they understand it's your day, but seriously, be a little considerate of them as well.

Also, I noticed that you are going to have an open bar. Erm....every wedding I've been to that has had an open bar either resulted in a bar fight of some type or had police show up and the bride's dress ruined by someone else's blood. Consider providing two drinks per guest and then having them pay for everything after that. This very recent one with the open bar had not so great of mixed drinks (like crappy liquor AND crappy menu) and by the end of the night, one guy had picked a fight with my husbad and an actual fight erupted on the dance floor.

Part of having a great party is about having full and unharmed guests too.

QueerFemme · December 2013

VolatileMizTMD

First of all, this thread is 6 moths old. Second, why are you suggesting a cash bar? cash bars are RUDE and tacky as hell. Just because you have been to weddings where the guests are idiots, doesn't mean you should be suggesting something so rude.

pengwinn · December 2013

http://www.poshpartysupplies.com/
I was thinking the same thing and came upon this website. Just somethin to consider for options! I'm sure there are other places with similar things.

VolatileMizTMD · December 2013

@QueerFemme, I'm not sure why you're finding the need to be so aggressive in nature. Unfortunaly, consumption of alcohol leads to lowered inhibitions and lower inhibitions leads to.....like you said....stupidity. I'm happy for you that you have the VERY STRONG opinion that cash bars are tacky. I mean, what's the meaning to life when you don't have something to believe in? BTW....have you been drinking? You sound like you've already gotten the broken beer bottle ready to break over my head, in which case.....I guess going lime green was a good idea at the time.

NYCMercedes · December 2013

VolatileMizTMD said:

@QueerFemme, I'm not sure why you're finding the need to be so aggressive in nature. Unfortunaly, consumption of alcohol leads to lowered inhibitions and lower inhibitions leads to.....like you said....stupidity. I'm happy for you that you have the VERY STRONG opinion that cash bars are tacky. I mean, what's the meaning to life when you don't have something to believe in? BTW....have you been drinking? You sound like you've already gotten the broken beer bottle ready to break over my head, in which case.....I guess going lime green was a good idea at the time.

Just give it up, Miz.

QueerFemme · December 2013

VolatileMizTMD said:

@QueerFemme, I'm not sure why you're finding the need to be so aggressive in nature. Unfortunaly, consumption of alcohol leads to lowered inhibitions and lower inhibitions leads to.....like you said....stupidity. I'm happy for you that you have the VERY STRONG opinion that cash bars are tacky. I mean, what's the meaning to life when you don't have something to believe in? BTW....have you been drinking? You sound like you've already gotten the broken beer bottle ready to break over my head, in which case.....I guess going lime green was a good idea at the time.

So, because cash bars are tacky, I've been drinking? First of all, I don't even drink, by choice. I MIGHT have one cocktail at a party, but I'm usually the designated driver, so, there's that. I'm not sure what lime green (which was actually, more of an apple green, but I digress), has anything to do with breaking bottles, but ok.

Cash bars are tacky. Charging your guests for anything at a party you are hosting, is tacky. If you are so worried that your guests can't hold their liquor, have a dry wedding and just serve soft drinks. It's not the LIQUOR, or lack thereof, that is tacky, it's the fact that you think making people pay for something at a reception that is supposed to be for your guests, is even a little bit appropriate.

Also, people get loaded and stupid at bars all of the time, what makes you think because they have to pay for it, they won't get drunk?

VolatileMizTMD · December 2013

@QueerFemme, um, no. I'm wondering if you've been drinking because your first post was so vehement when it didn't have to be at all. This is a site where everyone gets to post an opinion. It's not where you get to quash people's voices simply because you don't agree and it's not a place where you get to incite arguments by trying to make someone else feel like less of a voice because your voice just happens to be different. I was simply stating an opinion and instead of only offering complaints, I was offering a POSSIBILITY. If you don't agree, fine. Say that, but don't try to insult or berate me for your difference of opinion. It's a grand sign of insecurity that you have to attack someone else in trying to get your point across.

QueerFemme · December 2013

VolatileMizTMD said:

@QueerFemme, um, no. I'm wondering if you've been drinking because your first post was so vehement when it didn't have to be at all. This is a site where everyone gets to post an opinion. It's not where you get to quash people's voices simply because you don't agree and it's not a place where you get to incite arguments by trying to make someone else feel like less of a voice because your voice just happens to be different. I was simply stating an opinion and instead of only offering complaints, I was offering a POSSIBILITY. If you don't agree, fine. Say that, but don't try to insult or berate me for your difference of opinion. It's a grand sign of insecurity that you have to attack someone else in trying to get your point across.

oh dear. If I was trying to attack you, it would have looked a LOT different. I was first asking why you would reopen a thread that was over 6 months old. I'm pretty sure that the OP has already made whatever decision they are going to make.

And these forums try really hard to deter etiquette blunders. Suggesting a cash bar is a huge etiquette mistake. I'm not insulting you or berating you. I'm saying, the thread is old, and cash bars are rude and a total violation of etiquette. That's not a direct attack, that's stating a fact.

southernbelle0915 · December 2013

VolatileMizTMD said:

@QueerFemme, I'm not sure why you're finding the need to be so aggressive in nature. Unfortunaly, consumption of alcohol leads to lowered inhibitions and lower inhibitions leads to.....like you said....stupidity. I'm happy for you that you have the VERY STRONG opinion that cash bars are tacky. I mean, what's the meaning to life when you don't have something to believe in? BTW....have you been drinking? You sound like you've already gotten the broken beer bottle ready to break over my head, in which case.....I guess going lime green was a good idea at the time.

Why would you make a nasty comment about someone's wedding color choice? It's a pretty low and uncalled for personal attack that has absolutely nothing to do with this thread and was thrown out just to be mean to someone else. Then in your next post you think YOU'RE the one being attacked? GTFO.

QueerFemme · December 2013

southernbelle0915 said:

VolatileMizTMD said:

@QueerFemme, I'm not sure why you're finding the need to be so aggressive in nature. Unfortunaly, consumption of alcohol leads to lowered inhibitions and lower inhibitions leads to.....like you said....stupidity. I'm happy for you that you have the VERY STRONG opinion that cash bars are tacky. I mean, what's the meaning to life when you don't have something to believe in? BTW....have you been drinking? You sound like you've already gotten the broken beer bottle ready to break over my head, in which case.....I guess going lime green was a good idea at the time.
Why would you make a nasty comment about someone's wedding color choice? It's a pretty low and uncalled for personal attack that has absolutely nothing to do with this thread and was thrown out just to be mean to someone else. Then in your next post you think YOU'RE the one being attacked? GTFO.

I was thinking the same thing, but figured it wasn't worth engaging about, at least from me. People are funny... and by funny, I don't mean ha ha, funny... but, odd funny.

I really think some folks need to take a course on learning the difference between an attack or being bullied, and statements of fact or opinions.

doeydo · December 2013

@KnotPorscha could you close this thread? And also maybe talk with VolatileMisTMD.

Tacky?

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