Paper plates at reception?

What food are you serving? If its BBQ buffet, some really nice options of disposable are available.

If you are having something any more formal then that, I would advise against it. Just get something plain.

I agree with OGK. If that's what you're doing, look at smartyhadaparty.com. They have pretty acrylic disposables.

If it's formal I would not go with the the plastic. People will talk about you.

We are having a pizza buffet and were originally going to buy mismatched china and actually started doing so but quickly realized that it was crazy expensive to do so. So now we are going with the plates and utensils our caterer provides which is a nicer quality plastic. I'm over it. It's pizza.

ETA: Smartyhadaparty is probably your best bet if your caterer doesn't provide plates!

We are doing buffet-style small plates -- sliders, quesadillas, mini corn-on-the-cob, etc.

Yes, they do have the all-white option, but I would rather have something more fun and eclectic especially if it is less costly. I don't get offended by dishes.

@MMB Thanks, I'll look at that site!

I'd just use plain white rental plates or glass plates. By the time you buy nice quality plastic, you'll be spending just as much.

I went to a wedding recently where they had bought plates from 2nd hand stores (Goodwill, etc) and used that - they were mismatched but it was a really cool effect.

@ KSera Love that idea!

Just use what they have- it can't be worse looking than plastic.

(that's not a dig on a plastic- because there are nicer upgrades chinette and what not- but unless they are like- poo colored plates with little chunks of corn- I can't see that being THAT bad)

Plastic plates are not eclectic.

@taylor just be forewarned (coming from a bride who did at one point buy mismatched china from Goodwill) that it adds up quickly. We had spent over $60 on just 25 plates... that's when we stopped and decided it was way to expensive (and annoying to store). For a guest list of over 150 I did not want to drop almost $400 on mismatched china let alone store it.

I think for a smaller guest list it would be great though!

I hope you mean by reusable, you actually mean disposable? I can't see a plastic plate as reusable.

Anywho I have seen nice looking plastic plates, now if you are having to cut steak that's different. Since you aren't disposable plastic not flimsy paper is ok if you like it.

We used disposable and it still looked beautiful. It really depends on your venue.

Etsy and Amazon have very nice looking plastic wedding style plates

Keep in mind that if you're using 'small plates' you need a shit ton of them. We used to order 5-6" bread and butter plates.....like at least 6 PP.

If you're doing small plates, like grazing style? No one is going to be looking at the plates anyway.

So I change my tune; do clear little disposables, but it's not a style choice and it won't save you money.

@Celia Haha I hadn't thought of that either. Thanks I may go with that!

We are using nice paper plates from http://www.webstaurantstore.com they have a really nice selection! Plus you can get compostable options in dish and flatware if thats something you had in mind.

We had black plastic provided by our BBQ caterers... If it's casual I think it's fine!