Plastic Plates, but real cutlery

I think the "real" cuttlery and glassware might make the plastic plates stick out more :/

If it looks nice together, then go for it.

The use of "tacky" by other brides is sometimes unwarranted. Its just what the wedding industry wants you to think so you spend houseloads of money instead.

I've seen on another post someone had a link for heavy duty plastic plates and they could hardly tell the difference. I'm sure it wouldn't be tacky. If it works well together, then do it! And... if its "high end bbq"... plastic plates might fit your theme more!

I think it would fit with your BBQ theme. It's not for me. That was the one thing I would not compromise on. Nothing plastic.

Check out smartyhadaparty.com -- there are lots of cute disposable options.

We're having a more casual reception and we're doing plastic crystal-look plates/cups with fake silver utensils. We are doing real linen napkins though. People can say what they want, but I'm not messing with renting china.

I definitely think disposables would fit with the upscale bbq theme.

I would just make sure that your knives won't crack the plastic plate. Nobody wants bbq sauce leaking through their plate all over their outfit! Otherwise, I'm sure it would be fine. I seriously doubt anyone would say, "her wedding would have been perfect if not for the plastic plates."

I'd be more worried that if you have disposable plates, people will assume that the cutlery is the "looks like silver" disposable cutlery and throw it away. We're getting these from my local grocery store, which has them for $8.99.

I would just make sure that the plates are heavy duty enough to deal with metal cutlery.

I see no issue with it (I do with plastic cutlery mainly because they never seem to cut or pierce anything properly) and I very much doubt anyone would mention it.

It'll be fine especially with having a (upscale) BBQ

We got plastic plates from Costco. They have the silver rim like china would and there really isn't much of a difference in look. We're having an outdoor wedding and I don't want to risk renting (nor do I want to spend the $&dollar them to have them broken and need to replace them

I think it's fine, and as a caterer, we used to do this all the time. I'd do plastic glasses too, frankly.

If its a bbq theme you probably don't even need the real cutlery and stuff. Ppl might throw away your silverware with the plates!

We are doing a "high end" bbq as well. I am doing the clear plastic plates and plastic silver cutlery. An idea I saw on a blog that I really liked was to do a mix and match type of thing. Use your set of dishes, and borrow your families sets, look at thrift stores, etc for sets. You'll have an assortment of different dishes that will look awesome with a bbq theme and it will likely be low to no cost. Just an idea! I was going to do it, but because my family is responsible for cleanup, not the caterer/venue, I am not making them wash hundreds of dishes! Just an idea! Whatever you choose, make it the right choice for YOU, and who cares what other people think!