Rentals (plates, utensils, etc)

If you’re having a more casual wedding plastic is fine. If it’s semi formal or above I’d rent real. We rented all of ours from our local event rental shop.

We're doing silver colored plastic but ours is bbq i noticed that goggins rental doea them for .15-.50 cents each piece if u have one near you

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Ours is semi-formal but do you think these kind of disposable plates are okay? Or should I rent?

our theme is gothic rustic.

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We're doing a buffet style so that's why I didn't think it would matter?

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If you're planning to have a semi-formal wedding then disposable plates are not conducive to such an event. I recommend you look for an events rental company in your area to rent the things you need.

View Quoted Comment I would rent

If renting isn't in the budget just get nice disposables!!

You can get heavy duty plastic plates that look "real" at sams club for a decent price! And I think they are pretty. If you went with plastic I doubt anyone would judge you for it. I don't remember the plates at any of the weddings I have been to. I feel like its not something people really care about, as long as the food is yummy!

I would rent too.

Something like this could be done also but it’s all up to your taste. It’s a disposal kit and it looks classy too. We got lucky and found these at a GFS for $10 for a whole set for 10 persons that includes 2 plates, napkins, spoons, forks and knifes. So basically $1 per person for a complete set and we can just throw them away or keep them since they look fancy. They also matche my color theme. Maybe look at their website and see if they have a list of grocery stores that carry them.

View Quoted Comment Renting isnt in our budget so we figured like nice disposable plates (the white plates with silver trim) is the right choice. But it seems like everyone is telling me to rent... But its beyond my budget since we also have 250 guests.

I am just a tad confused. There are two types of venues: venues where you are simply paying to rent the building, and you have to bring in an outside caterer(who provides all the linens, tableware etc), and venues that you buy their on sight services as in catering, tables, chairs, linens etc.
Do you have an alternative arrangement: like you're paying for the rental of the space, then bringing in an outside caterer etc.?
Because if that is the case, the problem may not be your venue per se, the problem is your caterer not being a full service caterer.
Here's why this matters: if you are providing the accouterments related to your reception meal you are going be the one setting it up, and cleaning it up at the end of the night(that's not something any bride should have to do). This is why the full service caterers always cost more: because they include everything, including set up and clean up and insurance if something goes wrong. It may be cheaper to scrap your non-full service caterer, and find a caterer that provides all these things for you. Here's why: because on top of set-up and clean-up providing your own linens, tableware, silverware and such may leave you with a sticky storage situation you haven't even calculated yet(and that costs money too).

View Quoted Comment I think they will look great and you can find complete sets of 25 cheapest on ebay for occasions brand which is nice. Martha Stewart recommended 3-4 cups per person per hour but I didn't go that high and am counting 75% of bottled beer as cups too lol

I suggest smartyhadaparty.com for cups and spare utensils, napkins, and whatever

Or dollar tree it up lol

View Quoted Comment I think she's having BBQ so they provide very cheap plates and she wants to upgrade that

BTW if you want linen you will have to wash and press it possibly which can be highly time consuming

View Quoted Comment Basically, my catering service is not a full-service catering business because to save money, my MOH got together a team from his work of culinary chefs that agreed to help cook for the reception. The venue actually helps with clean up and my family had offered to stay and help clean up (which isn’t what I wanted but with the budget we had set, it was more reasonable for us to do it this way). As for set-up, it’s pretty common for my family (even people of my culture) to be the ones setting up versus someone else doing especially with my need of things to be perfect. I just budgeted everything a few hours ago and it was actually cheaper for us to do it the way I’m doing it versus if I chose a catering business. If I had done it through a catering business, I would be paying 10x more the amount and it would be food no one on my guest list would even enjoy, even myself and my FH.

I'm using disposables as well. My venue is literally just the location, so I have to provide everything, even cleanup. 1) I'm not packing all those plates, glasses, silverware, and linens on my wedding day and I'm supposed to be relaxing with my new hubby. 2) I hired a coordinator and she would charge more for that and doesn't have any employees (shes a friend)! 3) I'd have to end my wedding early just so she could get in there to clean up... by herself. 4) Rentals here in the DMV are sooo expensive like $3 a plate... just plates and I'd nerd at least 75. A total rental is like $700 where I could spend $200 for disposables!!

Just get the disposable plates. They're easier to clean, and honestly, no one really cares what they're eating on so long as they have nice food to eat. Since it's not hurting the comfort of your guests in any way, you like how it looks, and it's so much more economical, I say just buy disposable.

What about your caterer? Would they supply plates, utensils, napkins and glasses? Our venue has their own because it is the best way to ensure it is in good condition but if they didn't, our caterer would have provided this

View Quoted Comment It shouldnt matter is it more casual? The gfs idea is a good one!