Did anyone use or is anyone planning to use plastic plates, instead of china/glass at their reception?

Lesli, I disagree. Sami, I am currently working on a spreadsheet that's comparing plastic vs. real. Ednabugg, I'm from CA and we don't have nice plates like that at our Dollar Trees...maybe, I will check their website. Thanks.

Am I the only person that regularly breaks off the plastic tines on the plastic forks? I've done this at more wedding/bbq etc. then I can count, apparently I'm some kind of beast with flatware.... but it seriously happens virtually every time I get a piece of plasticware in my hand. FH thinks its hysterical and even when I try super hard the little bugger still breaks.

For me, fortunately the china is included in the (hefty) price tag, but if I went to a wedding and it was plastic utensils and paper plates, I'd probably think twice if it didn't hold up for the food it was serving, but if it was sturdy enough and the wedding was fun/happy, I wouldn't care. I recently went to a wedding where they couldn't afford much, and EVERYTHING was budget (obviously budget) but we didn't care because the couple was so obviously in love and so happy to have their loved ones there it just didn't matter about the plates and utensils AT ALL!!

We are using china, however I Do Not think it is "Beyond Tacky" to use plastic as Mrsd2011 so wonderfully pointed out. We are using china because it didn't break our budget to do so, but if it hadn't been in our budget we would have nicely used plastic and been okay with that. Sometimes people are so worried about putting on a show for other people they end up putting themselves in the hole or being broke after the wedding.

I dont think its tacky at all to use plastic... The plates are gonna serve their purpose whether they are plastic or china.. So if they look pretty then I say go for it! Its YOUR wedding :-)

I see nothing wrong with plastic... Hell my plastic eating utensils are a collection of ones I took from restaurants.. I also have a friend at work that is collecting some for me.. Im haveing a potluck reception and nothing about it will say fine china.. And none of my guest will care either. They wont be poking fun cause they use plasticware. None of us are too good for plastic silverware.. Its a little thing that no one will even pay attention to it..

I think people who overuse the word tacky are annoying. Who says you HAVE to use real china? Hm? Where is that marked down in the "How to Have a Wedding." rule book? Hm? Nowhere? Are you sure? Because some of you are acting as if it's the end of the world to use plastic.

I could see if she was trying to use cheap plastic plates from Family Dollar that barely hold up a salad, but she is not. What's wrong with these nice plastic plates? They have come a long way.

Obviously her venue allows her to bring in her own stuff because if they forced her to use their caterer, they would have their own tableware for her to use.

It's probably easier to just throw plates away than finding a way to wash everything.

There is nothing wrong with that. Some people need to remember that a wedding is a celebration of a marriage and NOT a chance to show off your money. As long as you aren't making your guests eat off of napkins and no utensils, you are being a good host!

I say whatever suits you and your wedding.

I really wanted real plates, but it's not in the budget. Even a lot of nicer plastic plates are $1+ per plate. This is the one thing that's really bummed me out.

We were originally going to use plastic, but we have decided to upgrade to china because we can afford it. We are having a more formal reception though, so plastic doesn't really fit. But that's just us.

I don't find it tacky to use plastic. You do what you can afford. Its as simple as that. If your guests are more worried about the type of plates you use than celebrating with you, then there's a problem. I am sure some people will notice, but some people will complain about anything. Just my two cents.

We are doing plastic. It's a very laid back reception, very "country" if you want to call it that. I have no desire to spend a ton of money on dishes. Plus, we're having Famous Daves cater. It's not a fancy meal lol.

Well I don't think its "tacky".... If it looks nice, who cares?! But I'm also asking only for money....which is supposed to be "tacky" as well, so *whatever*

People will talk about you if you have plastic cutlery

People will talk about you if you can't go on a honeymoon, your car gets repo'd and you are stuck eating ramen noodles for.the next year because you over extended your budget

So what....DO YOU

We are having a barbeque. I am having plastic/paper utensils and plates.

@Sami B.: That's the concern that led us to go with stainless steel flatware, even though we used plastic plates.

2nd bride I checked out the website and thanks very much

Wow..

i'm meeting with caterers soon and will be sure to see if china can be negotiated etc. if not, i'm definitely going with the plasticware or china that can be rented. I care about the $$. Still working out the kinks on whether it'll be plated or buffet..but what i will say is, i have never left a reception remembering what we ate on. I can recall if the meal was good, how much i danced and enjoyed seeing the couple, and of course the fun i had with other guests.

And that is all that should really matter. I'm struggling to get this list down to 150 but i refuse to invite ppl who would be concerned about 'flatware'. I say, go with your budget and all around preference.

but i have question for those who did you use china, did you have an issue of having enough? were ppl re-using the same dishes if they wanted seconds (buffet and drinks) or did you have a kitchen on site that kept washing them?

Hi Tara, I am so glad to see your post! I am planning to use plastic at the hall. Renting china will be so confusing for the caterer. I am hoping that the caterer will reduce his price and for me to get the money back from the hall for renting out the kitchen. I will have $100 back on my budget. So I will be saving more. Do you think that you or Yolanda S. can PM me about that plastic plates and utensils. That is so cool!

Best of Luck and Congrats.

My reception was quite elegant and affordable using plastic. Although at most sites it is quite costly , I used THECLOSEOUTCONNECTION.COM web site and got great value . All my guest were so impressed by the beauty and upscale look of the plates they all asked me were i got them. At first I thought i would keep it a secret but after discussing it with my new partner we wanted to share this with everyone. They have a great selection but this is the pattern we used.