Dishware Rental question?!?!?

If it's buffet then get 80 of everything, seated you only need 75. If you're going to go through a rental company for most of it, why cheapen the table by adding disposable plastic plates? You should be able to get white plates for about 50 cents each and they're oodles better for the environment (no waste).

Go through your menu to figure out what items you'll need but typically it's:

80 salad plates (for plated dinner), 80 dinner plates, 80 more salad plates for cake, 80 bread plates if you're having a formal dinner, and add more bread plates if necessary for cocktail hour. You'll need 80 dinner forks, & dinner knives, 160 salad forks (salad & cake). 80 Water glasses. Now wine glasses are trickier. Are you just setting the tables with the wine glasses or are they getting wine from the bar? If from the bar you'll need about 100 because not everyone remembers to bring their glass back up for a re-fill. if you're having coffee service you'll also need spoons for creamer

We aren't having wine. Only like 2-3 people drink it. We are having margaritas and strawberry daquires (sp), along with beers and wine coolers. My budget for the whole wedding is $7500 and we are paying for everything ourselves.

Awesome, well that's easier. Wine glasses are the most expensive (they break). I think you can get away with nice plastic barware for the margaritas and daiquiris. But I would stick with real plates/silverware/water glasses for the table settings.

Another way to really save $$ on the rental order is to pick it up at will call. You have such a small order that it could easily fit in the back of a car. And then just assign a groomsman to be in charge of returning it all on the Monday after.

We are also getting the table and chairs from there and just for all the dishware suggested it's $388.

Do you have a caterer? They might be able to get better pricing. The bigger the caterer, the bigger the discount they get at the rental companies. I'd talk to your catering rep and see if they have a discount they can pass on to you. That price sounds right, a bit high, but I was estimating $300.

We are cooking the food ourselves.

Check out www.smartyhadaparty.com they have the lowest prices (ive seen) on tableware that is plastic but looks real. You can get 120 dinner plates and salad plates with 24 serving spoons for 99

Im using those plates you dont have to worry about breaking, or taking them back or cleaning. They have pics on the site of events done with their products take a look. (also the pics are good for inspiration

I am actually going to get them at sam's club since I can save more.

Chuwana, I don't see where you can get all that for that price....

Elizabeth....We wrestled with this decision...to rent or not to rent. Ultimately, we wound up finding a caterer who got a discount. We are doing china: dinner, appie, bread and dessert. We are also doing glass water goblets and champagne flutes. Last but not least, flatware for 60 too. My pattern is ivory trimmed in gold. We are paying $311.

I think you can pull off plastic for everything. There are so many different patterns to choose from. I would also check out:

party city (If you sign up for email, they send coups)

smartyhadaparty

We are actually doing all plastic for drinks. This is mainly because our caterer takes the rentals with her when she leaves at 10:00 p.m.

If you are doing glassware, and this seems like a lot, but 2 1/2 per person. People put drinks down and then go get another one. No one wants to be scrambling for glasses to wash in a hurry if you run out (even working for a caterer this happens sometimes!) I wouldn't worry too much about dishes and silverware being more than what you need, maybe 12 extras just in case something breaks, get extra napkins in case someone spills something on the tables etc. . .

@juanita http://www.smartyhadaparty.com/Item8660-White_Plate_Set_with_Shiny_Reflective_Silver_Rim_Value_Pack.aspx

I agree with Dianne D. Plan on extra glassware, as people do put their glass down. Also, some people may assume that they are getting a new glass with every beverage. So, extra there is better.

As far as plates, since it is a buffet, I would have 10-20 extra plates. Someone will let theirs get away from them.

Also, for sanitary reasons, each time someone comes back to the buffet they should be taking a new plate. You may want to actually have 1.5x the necessary amount if you plan to use this rule (it's a health department rule)

I am not having a caterer, we are doing the food ourselves. In all honesty I think that at the end of the day no one is going to remember the plates or silverware or cups. Our family isn't into all the fancy stuff so it's not a big deal to me. Plus, I'd much rather save the $388 I'd spend on dishware and spend it on something else.

chuwana: I've actually ordered samples from Smarty had a part and I think they would work.

These are the plates from sam's club that I think we might use:

9" inch 40 count for $8.88 a pack

or I can get 160 (4 packs) for $35

OR these ones

168 count 9" for $53

Those are a good idea to do. I would suggest to see them in person to make sure you like them before deciding on it...

I plan on hitting up Sam's club here in a couple of days. LOVE that place!

*bump*

I think plastic is okay as long as it goes with the style of your wedding. You can't have a formal wedding and use plastic utensils and dinnerware. Oh and please use the just like silverware plastic forks. I think they look better than a plain white or clear fork. Also Sams club has disposable hard plastic plates that look like china. They are a nice alternative. It's like the best of both worlds.