Tableware ideas

Check after the holidays at places like Michaels, Walmart, etc, they usually have sales on the plastic ones for about 25 cents each. Facebook marketplace might also have other brides who are trying to sell theirs.

You could also look into renting, they still might be about $1 each but you wouldn't have to worry about over ordering or selling them after.

I haven't had any experience with the paper chargers but I would think they wouldn't hold up or look as nice as plastic ones that would be more sturdy.

Yeah that's what I'm most worried about... I've never thought to look after the holidays... Thank you so much!

One of my daughters had the gold chargers from Dollar Tree. She bought them used off FB Market Place for about 60 cents a piece. They are still in my garage waiting to be resold. Anyway, as I think back on her day the chargers did make for a pretty table setting, but honestly had she not had them I don't think it would have been any less spectacular. (She had a vintage elegant feel to her reception.) Depending on the formality of your event, I don't think the paper ones would be ideal but might work for a less formal affair. I've seen them at HomeGoods and considered using them for her bridal shower but ultimately didn't because I thought they looked a little cheap. If you are set on using chargers, try finding them used. Otherwise make sure you see the paper ones in person before buying in case you don't like them. You could also put this decision off until last minute as they are easy to find in stores, see where your budget is and weigh how important it is to have them. That $173 might be better spent elsewhere or you may find you have extra and don't mind spending that money to get that special touch.

We skipped chargers but our caterers still made the table settings look nice/classy/fancy with folded napkins and menus and silverware set up. Paper chargers seem a little odd to me. Like they’re hole point is to make the set up look a bit fancier but paper has a different connotation. I could be wrong as I’ve never seen that done so can’t picture it. But I think it could look fancier skipped altogether than with paper.

I've seen people use paper doilies for chargers and I think they look nice and are a cheaper option, especially since they are chargers & food isn't going on them. I found a TON of those dollar store chargers for $0.75 a charger on used facebook wedding websites. We ended up just buying them new then sold them for $0.50 a charger because I didn't want to drive & pick them up, then clean them, but it was a great deal for the bride who bought them from me!

View Quoted Comment Oh I like the doily idea! Cute lacy design, almost a charger-mat hybrid. I feel like they’d hold up a bit better than a paper charger too since they lay flat they couldn’t get crushed or anything

Could you rent them from a event company. Have you checked that to see the prices?

This is an option I am thinking about doing. I figure I can use the dinner plates as "chargers" and the salad plates up at the buffet. If people want seconds, they can always use the dinner plates as well.