Is it tacky at a wedding reception to have plastic plates?

I am in the process of planning a wedding. We are going to have table linens and napkins. I also plan on having the tables decorated with candles and assortments of fresh flowers. Some on high pilars and some just as a spray on the table. Basically it is going to look somewhat elegant. Is it going to look tacky if the catering company only serves food on plastic wear? I personally want china, but trying to cut the cost of the catering down. Using china will cost at least an additional $8.00 per person which equals at least an extra $1500 plus to our bill. Any suggestions????

Is it tacky at a wedding reception to have plastic plates?
Sounds like your tables are gonna look about the same as mine. I am using plastic/paper plates (not sure which yet). I just figure that the tables will look pretty before and after everyone is eating because the plates will only be at the tables during dinner. And it is WAY more practical and affordable to just use the throw-away plates. I don't think anyone will really care to be quite honest. Try to get the thick, clear plastic plates. They look really pretty.. well, as pretty as plastic can get!! :) Save your $1500!! You will be happy that you did later.
Reply:It's not tacky if the disposable plates etc. are decent looking. A lot of people do plastic or disposable plates and you can find some REALLY nice ones that look just like regular china. My caterer has this ingenious plastic-ware coated in silvery that looks exactly like silverware! Incredible!
Reply:for cost sake plastic is not that bad
Reply:Elope!!!
Reply:Check on what form of plastic plates they plan on useing...if it's like BBQ style then maybe look into other options, but we used the pretty clear ones that looked like they had etching in them or something, and nobody noticed or had any problems....they were a nicer version of plastic but WAY cheaper and I promise the plate they eat off of will be the last thing they remember, especially with all the cool stuff on the tables. look into the clear pretty ones, I think they would be a good compromise!
Reply:Do what you want....it is your wedding!



js
Reply:Don't worry about the plastic plates ,that should be the least of your worries people wont remember what kind of plates you had if the food they have is Delicious
Reply:Everyone going to your wedding bought you a gift- estimating $30 or more. Times that by the amount of guest and see if the extra cost is worth it for your guest. Remember if these gifts are extra help so you don't want to get too cheap with your guest.

Plastic tends to leak and break it is a very uncertain material. Your guest are also in their best threads so take that into consideration. My best suggestion would be to purchase fancy plastic wear. It was in a 'Martha Steward's' magazine. I guess now they make plastic wear that looks like real china and has a thick texture. It is made in different colors, styles and designs. I believe it can be found at places like 'Cost Plus', 'World Trade Market'. It is very chic and youthful.



Good Luck and Congratulations!
Reply:Just be practical. Who are you trying to impress? Just be a terrific wife, the wedding is nice but it is just one day.



Read Dr. Laura's The Proper Care and Feeding of Marriage for great advice -- even if you are a natural at relationshiops, you can always learn something.



Congratulations!
Reply:If your budgetdoesn't allow...go with the plastic...I'm sure they will be goodquality. I've seen beautiful plastic serviceware. Do what make s you comfy in your budget
Reply:Hi-

I am under the same situation. I am having an outdoor casual reception and a formal wedding at a historic church (odd combination huh?) Our caterer provides all the plastic silverware, plates, and cups...but it seems too picnic like to me. We are having table linens, and napkins as well as candle centerpieces, and I don't want it to look tacky; but like you I don't want to add that extra money onto the budget for plates that we will use for 4 hours, and then have to wash and return.



Here is what I have thought about doing, to create the illusion of elegant without the cost. My local discount store Big Lots, has silver and gold chargers on sale. A 4 pack of round chargers is $4, normally $5 (still a great price). I can buy them now, and then sell them later online. I'm going to my local craft store/party store, and they have heavy duty plastic plates in my color. It looks less tacky than normal paper or plastic plates. They also have napkins, cups and cutlary in my color. I have also seen cutlary that looks real, but is plastic. It has a little more weight to it, and is the color of real silver.



If you still don't like the idea of plastic, look online. Many people are finding it cheaper to buy than to rent plates, so you may be able to find a deal on one of the local auction sites.



Good luck!
Reply:I think that having plastic plates would make the reception a lot more informal...but then i don't think hungry folks really care...or would even remember...is there a way that you can get the plates (you want)...and maybe engrave your names and the wedding date...never mind that is going to be a lot of money...if you want to shell out the extra $1500 to make your day happier i say do it...it could be worse...i heard a couple had there reception at Golden Corral...
Reply:it depends what kind it is. If its like plastic picnic ware then go for the china.
Reply:I don't know where you live, but if you go to some wholesale places like Sam's or Costco you can buy "commerical" flatware for $7 for forks (36 ct) and $12 for knives (36 count) and it's made out of stainless steal. It looks like real flatware and it won't matter if it gets tossed at those prices (compared to a rental company w/ expensive flatware that you pay 4x what you paid if something happens to it!). They also have assorted sized cups (beer, tea, lemonade, water, soda, etc). I think they had 9oz, 12 oz and 16 oz all for under $8 and varying amounts (the 9oz cups had like 200 and the 10oz cups had like 100, etc)Party City has awesome heavy duty clear plastic plates/bowls and then get color coordinated napkins (My caterer keeps telling me that it's almost bad taste to mix real/fine china w/ plastic anything so we're doing either or and not mixing). I'm getting married in July and we're considering going with plastic. Our only concern is w/ wine glasses. We don't like the plastic ones but we might have to bite the bullet and use them since we will be able to save about $1000 by going plastic. Bottom line is that it's your wedding so you have to do what you want and what you like. My family swears no one will remember what they ate on - only what they ate. I keep hearing that a lot of people go with plastic that it's not worth paying breakage fees after the wedding. Again, it really just comes down to personal taste and your wants...it's YOUR big deal do what YOU want and what YOU (and your family) can afford. At the end of the day, you'll be married to your new husband and having china or plastic plates won't change the joy %26amp; happiness %26amp; love you'll feel that day.
Reply:I strongly disagree with fatiegurl! Having china isn't going to make your day happier. That's just bull. You're going to be happy regardless, because you're getting married!!!



We are doing plastic plates, and I see nothing wrong with it. You can find really nice plastic silverware and plates for a fraction of the cost. If it's not in your budget, then it's not in your budget.



But again...real China isn't going to make you any happier.