Paper Plates. Opinions.

Depends on how formal your reception will be I guess. I would rent regular plates.

Http://www.smartyhadaparty.com/Category325/Dinner_Plates.aspx

someone posted this website yesturday. Some of the plates don't look tacky..but it is completly up to you

It definitely depends on how formal your reception is. Mine was at a bar on their outdoor patio. We used paper plates and no one complained.

You could use the fancier, Chinet plates. I used plastic disposables for my hometown reception. They were from Party City and they looked like real china. They also have the clear pastic ones that are really nice.

Please know that I say this in all kindness. Unless you are using the ones mentioned above ABSOLUTELY not on the "paper plates." When you say paper plates, I conjure images of the wax like ones with the ridges around the edges. Please go a little better than a regular paper plate. Smartyhadaparty.com has them relatively inexpensively and rental of plates is $.45 each. I humbly suggest one of those options.... even for a back yard bbq reception.

I would say go for the nicer plates, even plain ones but i agree with pp and think of the little ones i make animal characters out of for the kids, lol.... even the fancier version of the paper plates would be a better choice.

What about the clear plastic plates? Those look nicer!

Ive decided to go with plastic disposable plates....and real china for the head table....if people want to eat they will eat off it lol....all depends on how formal you are going

My personal opinion would be it's tacky. When I'm having a nice romantic dinner with FH at home I don't eat off of paper or plastic plates, so I definitely would not do it for a wedding. For everyday use or a BBQ, I think it's fine, but not for a wedding. I think you should think about renting some plain china. It will give your wedding a classier feel.

I'm sorry, but I would also rent everything. Yes, ours is a biker themed wedding, but neither my FH nor I could ever do paper or even Party City/Smarty Had a Party's lovely plastic plates. Setting a nice table just sets an elegant tone for a wedding.

It only cost us about $5 per person to rent china, flatware, glassware(water goblets and flutes). Imho, it's worth every penny.

I agree with Mrs. Im on a boat. My mom uses these chinet 'china lookalikes' every year for thanksgiving & christmas... no one can tell the difference. Last year someone thought my mom was crazy throwing away all the plates - they were attempting to put them in the dishwasher LOL!!

They also have silver lookalike silverware that I recommend you use. This way you save the money from renting - but you keep the nice look.

Just to give you a general idea of what these look like.... I also pasted a site I found that has a TON of options to look at. They even have square plates.... I'm not sure what your budget is- if you need something less expensive I bet I could find it! Let me know. These prices seem pretty reasonable. :o)

http://www.paperific.com/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=83&cat=Square+Plates

http://www.paperific.com/shopexd.asp?id=1074

They are awesome Kimi. I investigated that line as well. However, when you add the total, it is only slightly more money to rent.

I really enjoy getting different perspectives on this. Thanks again ladies! I hadn't even heard of Smartyhadaparty but I just checked it out and it has really good options! @EDubbsGirl- Yea if I were to use paper plates I would definitely go for the "nicer" ones.

@Everyone renting the china- Does the renting service deliver/pick up the china afterward and does somebody clean all the plates afterward?

Sorry so many questions. lol

I would do at least nice plastic- no paper.

@Kimi K-Thanks so much! Those look WAYY better than the walmart paper plates. I am going to go take a look at the sites you posted.

@Carole - I think it all depends on your guest list count. I could see it adding up QUICK if you're expecting a large crowd.

Amanda: Anytime love! That website has everything... again - if I know what type of prices your looking for I'm sure I can find something else. And for your question - Typically the caterers clean the china & plates (they should have it written in the contract if they do - something to look for) and I would assume the rental company picks them up (again - something to ask when talking to rental companies)

I ordered from smarty had a party and I LOVE the quality

Im using high end disposivle plates and silverwear. But im l having a casual wedding and serving bbq. If it is formal and the buget allows i would suggest renting