Real dishes vs, paper plates?

I will check out the sites.

Genevieve* I am getting a lot of things from sam's club. I will double check them as well.

Definitely go for real plates and silverware. However, to cut down on costs for other things such as serving bowls and warmers ask family and friends they may have a few items that you could borrow instead of renting.

Will there be many children? If so, you can forgoe the "real" plates and cups for them and go with the Chinet look-a-likes for them, that may also cut down the price. It also eliminates the risk of something being broken that you may have to pay extra for later.

I know chinet makes some really preatty plastic ones And Krogers if you have one near has pretty square white ones too 3.95 for 25 plates.

Real looks better, but if your budget is tight, you can't go wrong with www.smartyhadaparty.com. They have really nice looking disposable plastics. Some of them are even reusable. One thing I've learved about having a buffet table is that people may or may not return for more using the same plate.

There will be about 9 kids. I will def. check Krogers.

www.smartyhadaparty.com is too expensive for the plastic plates for me. I will also see what things my family has that I can borrow instead of renting.

Have you looked into plates from the a dollar store, I know they sell them and some companies let you buy in bulk.

You can buy stainless steel flatware for only about 57 cents per person, and then you could resell it afterward. Forks are $1.49 a dozen, knives are $2.90 per dozen, and spoons are $0.99 per dozen. That might be an alternative if you want "real" silverware.

Scratch the dollar store idea, you'll end up being stuck with plates you don't need.

I found these on www.webstaurantstore.com

The plates are 9" and look like real china. They come in packs of 12 for $9.49, so for around $50 you can get 60 plates

http://www.webstaurantstore.com/wna-comet-mp9wslvr-9-white-masterpiece-plate-with-silver-accent-bands-12-pk/999MP9 SLVR12.html

10 oz. bowls match the plates, and you can get 15 for $7.99, so you can get 60 for around $32

http://www.webstaurantstore.com/wna-comet-mpbwl10wslvr-10-oz-white-masterpiece-bowl-with-silver-accent-bands-15-pk/999MPBWL10S SLVR15.html

Silver look utensils. I have used these before, and they look just like real silverware. They come with everything in the picture including the salt and pepper packets 100 packs for $42

http://www.webstaurantstore.com/wna-comet-ref-kit-3-heavy-weight-reflection-series-stainless-steel-look-cutlery-pack-with-knife-fork-spoon-napkin-salt-pepper-100-cs/625321 STAINLES.html

Total $124 shipping

Copy and paste the links

I'm doin plastic plates and sliver forks it's cheaper

@Tammy513: We used that kind of plate for our wedding, but used the stainless steel flatware referenced above with it. (We wanted the sturdier flatware.) Those plates definitely look real in photos. However, they are very lightweight, so guests will know the difference while using them. We weren't doing super formal, so they worked for us. It's just a question of what your priorities are.

I still say, use REAL plates. Plastic, in my world = tacky. In my area, plastic plates or forks would scream, I AM GOING CHEAP AND COULD NOT CARE LESS ABOUT MY GUESTS. Oh, but give me a GREAT gift!

You need to decide this based on where you live and what your guests expect. If plastic is the norm, go for it. If it isn't, don't.

It's a sad day when people judge you for what type of dinnerware you use to host an event. Then again, that's the superficial world we live in. Take the oppurtunity to do what works for you and care less about what others think. I've never felt like I waisted my money on a gift because I had to eat on plastic. Plastic or real, it all serves the same purpose. At the end of the day, a wedding is about a lifetime commitment between you and your FS. If you have guest attending because they have their own expectations of the what your wedding should be, I say they're not truly there to support or your FS. Good luck hun.

Eh, judging, not judging, guess it all depends. ;-)

Plastic ends up in landfills, and, depending on the setting can be tacky.

Very true Kathy, and washing dishes just adds to water waste. If you do decide to use plastic, you could always see to it that the plasticware gets thrown away to a recycling bin. As far as it being "tacky", I suppose the bravest of your superficial guest will let you know their opinion on your setup.

I think I will stick to renting real dishes. Overall it will cost less and I wont end up with extra stuff I don't need. For the kids though I will buy plastic plates and cups so they don't break anything.

Thanks for all the tips and opinions. I greatly appreciated it.

DO NOT DO PAPER UNLESS YOUR SUPER CASUAL IN A BACKYARD BBQ... IF YOU REALLY WANNA SAVE AND DONT WANNA SPEND TRY DOLLAR TREE WE HAVE ALOT OF EVERYDAY PLATES SOME CAN BE VERY PRETTY.. AND YOU CAN BULK ORDER.. JUST AN IDEA

I dont think paper is bad but i suppose if your providing it yourself whatever your comfortable with and can afford im just saying if you want real but cant afford it try dollar tree or renting good luck Whatever you decide ppl will just remember your day and how happy you were