Paper and Plastic dinnerware for an outdoor reception?

I appreciate all of the concern over my wedding from the Experts and VIP's of WW, but I don't think many of you are from rural areas or maybe had rustic weddings? Sometimes it just isn't possible to have that "formal" of a wedding if you are more interested in having trees, rivers, and nature aspects as a large part of your wedding. It would cost so much money to bring all of that out there and isn't in my budget and I know that is my choice. My guests are friends and family that are not going to care if they ate off a fancy "fake" plate or a "real" plate. As long as the food, music, and booze are all there.

I am just looking for advice on table settings from other brides that have also gone the same route/are going the same route. I'm also having a buffet meal.

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No lol. Not everyone has a caterer.

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Yeah, I'm from a rural area and have been to a wedding like this. People ALWAYS appreciate being able to actually cut their food or not worrying about spilling things because a plastic or paper plate is not going to be the same sturdyness that a real one would be carrying food from a buffet.

ETA: you should 100% have a caterer if you are going to be out in the woods! How will you keep the food safe for people to eat? If its out in the woods all day - who is going to be cooking and bringing the food out?

I am in a rural area.

I don't care if the plate is paper or plastic as long as it's clean and sturdy.

But yes, there are people on here from everywhere.

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I'm having a taco bar or sandwiches? Nothing to cut, but the cake. I don't understand why my wedding ideas are being attacked, when so many other people go this route??

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No one is attacking you. I'm simply asking - if you're not having a caterer who is cooking the food? Who is delivering it to the site? If you are out in the woods I assume there is no kitchen. How will you ensure that the foods remain at a safe temperature for people to eat if there is no staff to keep an eye on it?

These are important things to consider with an outdoor wedding, its not an attack jsut an honest question.

I recently went to a barn wedding which had plates outside on a buffet table. Then on the tables they had a burlap/ lace place setting (similar to photo), with copper colored plastic cutlery. It looked really beautiful and I honestly can’t remember what the plates were made from!
i plan on doing a similar place setting in our barn and heavy duty plastic plates at the buffet.
Contrary to what everyone else keeps saying, it is very common in some parts of the country. In Idaho no one cares and there are tons of backyard/ outdoor weddings with unconventional tableware.

How are you getting the food to the site? Whose setting it up? Whose cooking it? What happens if the person whose supposed to cook gets sick the week of your wedding, will they still be preparing the food?

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I don't know anyone else who is self catering. I also haven't seen any attacks at least not from the most recent comments. There's so much to think about, plan and decide with wedding planning! This forum is great for all the input you get. Munchkin is asking some good questions to consider!

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All of my family will be cooking the food. We do professional BBQ competitions and parties. We have all of the food containers and burners that keep things warm. I'm also having a MOC. There is a kitchenette at the reception area, but it is very tiny and a small building with a fridge to store food. The wedding is late in the day and the food will be prepared that morning. Desserts will be delivered.

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That is very pretty! I'm looking into copper/rose gold silverware too!

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Whats a MOC?

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I guess "attacks" was not the right word, but I feel like I'm being seriously judged and looked down on.

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Oh that's interesting! Is it a family business? Can you enlist some help from other staff so your family can focus on the happy day?

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Month of coordinator. I didn't know whether to use MOC or DOC

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It's more of a serious family hobby lol, but no there are no staff other than family, but they are all very excited about this and are the ones that volunteered.

We've been hired for parties and weddings (no need to worry about food safety)

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Having a coordinator is a great move! I bet they would have suggestions on a vendor to use for your dinnerware. It would be much more environmentally friendly especially for an

outdoorsy wedding!

My hobbies include painting, but I ain't no Michelangelo or Bob Ross.

There is a reason they are called professionals ...... because they don't do it as a hobby!

Haha wow! If you don't like it then don't comment and kiddo? Seriously, can you not just let people be happy about their weddings? My family gets paid to cater and win awards for our BBQ...I guess I should have called it semi-professional? Whatever floats your boat I guess!

I think I've gotten what I needed from this discussion and I won't be back on it after this comment, I don't need the drama, but feel free to keep commenting if you like! Thank you to the ladies that have answered my original question and given me excellent advice on how they are using their plastic plates and cups! I love the different ideas of place settings, plate types, and also buffet style ideas!

Oh no, you lost me with the no caterer thing. I have a friend who's family also does large events a lot and they were going to self cater, much like you. Do you have insurance? Are you willing to be held responsible if someone gets ill from your food? Or drinks and drive and gets pulled over for DUI (or worse?) because you won't have a bartender (provided by caterer, usually) to serve it? I'm not saying this is going to happen but I've been to very few self catered weddings that had delicious food.

I also saw your previous comment, please don't do sandwiches. We are having a southern BBQ with all the fixin's for $18 PP. I've seen even cheaper in rural areas. I know you must love your venue and not want to change but a catering company can sometimes work without a kitchen. Heck, you could even order from Olive Garden and have an Italian buffet and your family could set it up. Even if they are excited and totally ready to tackle self catering I'm positive they'd love your day just as much if they got to sit back and relax and enjoy it with you rather than with the food.