Dinnerware for reception...which should I use?

I wouldn't do half and half. I think that would look weird.

I don't think clear acrylic would look bad. It's better than Styrofoam, which is what our venue offers. I like your choice a lot better. Plus you save money!

If i were you, I'd go the cheaper option ... but it is tempting ... our venue offers all china for $7 a person. In the end, I don't think guests will really care what type of dinnerware you have. It's not that important of a detail, imo. Your guests will eat off of it, and then forget about it.

We are going with half and half, hopefully. (If I can find some stemware) I can't imagine drinking wine out of plastic, but we are doing a buffet and providing the dinnerware ourselves. We have to carry it all out at the end of the night, and the idea of having to have someone wash and return rentals for us (plus lugging them around), was so exhausting. This way we can throw them all away. Also, since we are doing a buffet, we wanted to make sure that we had at least three plates allotted per person, so people could go back up, and who was going to be washing all those dishes. There is no way I was renting all those dishes!

LOL I just post a similar question. I am having the same issue and question. Where did you find your plastic real stuff? At this point if is doesn't look tacky in my opinion,( I have very expensive tastes), then I will go with the plastic real stuff. Of the people we having coming to their wedding most of them will not care either and if they do I am not worried about it. They are there for the wrong reasons. LOL I will care more than anyone else because I want it to be as nice as possible for my kids with out braking me and DH. LOL

So where did you find the plastic real stuff. LOL

Oh yea, I am not a fan of drinking out of plastic cup for my wine or eating with plastic forks. But some of the acrylic plates I have seen look very nice.

You probably don't remember because it was probably all real china/glassware/silverware :/

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Is your wedding more formal or more laid back? My cousin was married at a gorgeous hall, spent tons of money on linens and decor and then when it came time for dinner the forks and knives looked like silver but they were plastic and the plates looked like China but were plastic with a silver rim. Everyone noticed and found it a little odd. However a friend of ours had a very unique hall, very laid back style reception and they used the half and half option where the plates were bamboo and disposable but they had real glasses and silverwear. No one found that odd.

@MOTG I'm not buying any of the dinnerware, it's what our caterer is offering us lol sorry!

To be honest I think I don't remember because I'm always to excited to see what's being served for food haha! The plates are the least of my worries.

@A&J it's not a formal venue. It's the rustic type I guess, with lots and lots of trees outside and the inside is nice but I think I'm leaning towards half and half now. Would hate for the acrylic knife or fork to break as guests are cutting their chicken!

I think $4 a person isn't bad at all. The silly chargers I'm getting (which aren't that silly because I absolutely LOVE them) are almost that much I always notice stuff like that so sticking with real dishes was important to me. Guess you just have to decide if you have the budget to fit it in - if you do, I think an extra $150 total for real stuff is incredibly reasonable!

Ours was relatively casual, so we did nice plastic. To the best of my knowledge, no one complained. And honestly, if they're going to complain about dishes or judge me because I used plastic, then they probably won't be my friend much longer. (I got mine at smartyhadaparty.com, by the way.)

Besides, renting was out of the question because we had nowhere to clean them and it was over an hour outside of the city, so no place would deliver.

ETA: I doubt the acrylic would break. Our plastic didn't - and we had barbecue brisket. And to answer your question, I would go with what you're comfortable spending.

I would say to save your money I think that it's crazy that they will not supply things without added cost, but it is what it is.. I have used this for many elegant parties as well as it was used for our rehearsal dinner and many commented on how great it was and were shocked because it was truly plastic.

http://www2.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11801946&whse=BD_579&Ne=5000001%204000000&eCat=BD_579|11124|11292&N=4053588%204294908650&Mo=0&No=0&Nr=P_CatalogName:BD_579&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Browse=1&topnav=bdoff

The silverware is also awesome!

I would go with the acryllic, no one really cares what they eat off of as long as its not directly on the table or floor, or paper/plastic.

pretty sure acryllic would be fine.

but if you have the extra money go for china.

I'm going with acrylic. My cousin had a very fancy wedding last year and even she ha acrylic.

Ahh I'm still undecided! I guess if we have the extra money we will do the china, if not one of the other options.

Thanks for all the opinions!

I am floored that your venue doesn't include dinnerware/glasses, etc.

I'm debating this as well. I don't want the hassle of renting and our reception is pretty casual. I may go with bamboo or acryllic but FH is totally down with paper to keep it cheap. I don't want acrylic to make it look cheap and it still costs a bit when you add it all up.