Real or Plastic

I agree with you real china for a wedding will look more elegant. I don't know what that extra $500 can be used for that can be comparable.

Personally, I would not use the plastic but it really depends what kind of event you're having. If it's more casual, higher quality plastic would probably be fine. If you're having a formal event, I would suggest using actual china and silverware.

Honestly, I think it depends on the venue. If you're in an elegant space, plastic will seem out of place. If your reception is in a park, barn, or backyard, china will seem too fancy. Also $500 is relative. If your wedding budget is $20,000, $500 on china isn't a huge deal. If your budget is $7,000, china would seem to be too big of a cost.

A agree with the others that it depends on the venue. if its in a fancy ballroom the plastic would be out of place but if it is just for mixed drinks that wouldnt bother me.

My venue is rustic/barn and i will be buying plastic glasses for the bar. i wasn't paying my caterer $1 per glass

Absolutely, real dinnerware all the way...no plastic, especially if "elegant" is what you are going for. This is coming from someone who absolutely insisted on paying an extra $600 for chargers that do nothing but sit there, so take that for what it's worth ...it's just how I wanted the room to look and feel.

Personally I would never use plastic just for the sole reason of being environmental. To me, plastic would even be out of place in a barn rustic wedding. Also depending on what you're serving, plastic can be hard to eat with.

We are using real china and silverware. Honestly I don't mind using plastic plates at other people's weddings but I HATE using plastic silverware.

My caterer also provides "high quality" plastic plates and flatware and at first I was fine with that, but then I saw that our rental company offers cobalt blue glass plates and I had to have them (our wedding colors are blue and silver). So that's what we'll be using at our wedding. If you can afford the china plates then I think they're worth the splurge.

I'm with you, at the very least you need real silverware to cut the food with!

I'm with the other ladies. China is the way to go.

Wow, I'm the dissenting opinion here. I agree it depends on your venue, but I think plastic is fine if it's nice. I've been to a handful of weddings that had it and am using it myself because the caterer charges less for it. But my food doesn't require cutting, so that's a factor too. As a guest, I really don't care unless it actually causes me to have a hard time eating it.

I'd say if you're having servers, go with real, if it's a buffet plastic is fine (but I'd still go for a bit higher quality). Note you will also want to consider who will be washing dishes vs simply throwing out the disposable.

We're getting married at a venue on the lake. The ceremony will be outside on the deck/dock (not sure what it's called) and reception indoors. Picture below is a view of the inside. NOTE:: (Someone Else's Wedding) not mines

I was going to use plastic until the caterer I picked has real we will use included in the price. I agree with others though it depends on your venue. I am having a outdoor tent wedding so plastic would have looked okay.

Real.

Your venue looks really pretty! Probably too nice for plastic.

I'm having a restaurant cater my wedding. So if I want china I have to rent it. I'm using plastic from smarty had a party because I don't want to deal with who will wash the dishes at t he end of the night.

Eh, if its a buffet Id go with upgraded FREE plates and silverware. If I had a choice I would choose quality plastic plates and real, cheap (like Ikea) silverware. If its a sit down, served dinner you need to have real dinnerware and silverware. If you have actual "china" then you absolutely need real silverware.

Plastic knifes are the most useless item on the planet.

ETA: Didn't answer the question. Obviously I'm a vote for real.

Real.