HELP!! reception emergency!!

[sweety_72785]

hey everyone, I am planning our reception on a budget. I am having around 100 people and the catering I had planed was before the guest list grew. Is it tacky to have just a food table and have party trays of food set out with paper plates and a serve yourself kind of thing??

 

[monarch64]

Hi Sweety...I think I''d try to avoid paper plates if possible. What you''re talking about sounds like a very casual buffet, which I don''t think is tacky if it''s done properly. What was your original plan for the reception with fewer people? Were you going to have a sit-down meal served? Can you get the site to work with you a little more on the food situation? I think we need more details here so we can help you more.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

yes, it is. A buffet is one thing but this idea sounds horrible IMHO.

 

[treysar]

We had a very classy wedding and used "fine plastic" - ie, thick plastic clear plates and forks etc. I mentioned it to my friends afterward and they didn''t even remember it!! I hope that care more about your wonderful day then what kind of plates you had. Trust me girl, the people who love you just want you to be happy and it won''t take away from your day at all.

 

[ChargerGrrl]

no paper plates! take a good look at your overall budget, and see where you can cut costs.

get creative with your food service. how about an appetizer-only reception, or family-style?

 

[aphisiglovessae]

NO, NO, NO PAPER PLATES! Now, the nicer plastic ones may not be as bad (we''ve used those for appetizer buffets where I used to work, but never paper). Paper plates might make your guests use that awful 5 letter word (t*cky). It would help if we knew more details about the reception, to give you ideas on where else you can cut costs. A couple of questions come to mind: where is the reception? I know most caterers in my area provide the plates and silverware, doesn''t your caterer provide? We need more details.

 

[Faerievert]

I''m having the standard black catering plastic plates. It would have been an extra $2 a head to have ''real'' dishes. I think those are fine (or the clear versions), but stay away from paper. I don''t see anything wrong with the serve your own buffet (went to one like this a couple years ago- everyone had a great time, but no one was expecting fine china & candlelit dining). The ones to ask are your close friends and relatives to see what their expectations are, they may be used to more formal or more casual receptions than you''d imagine.

 

[sweety_72785]

OK, I was thinking more along the lines of the plastic plates. And like a buffet because it would be platters of food. But since I posted this I think plans have changed and we are going to cater plate dinners thanks for all the input!!!

 

[sweety_72785]

Faerievert- I love the pics on your site of you and your fiance you two are very cute together! Thanks for your input

 

[sunkist]

Date: 2/13/2006 9:50:58 PM
Author:sweety_72785
hey everyone, I am planning our reception on a budget. I am having around 100 people and the catering I had planed was before the guest list grew. Is it tacky to have just a food table and have party trays of food set out with paper plates and a serve yourself kind of thing??

A buffet at a wedding is not tacky. Paper plates?? maybe, it depends on the style of your wedding, but I''d definitely go for the clear or black plastic plates. Is this going to be in addition to the caterers? I''m not really clear on what''s going on with your caterers now, but it sounds like you''re going to X-out the caterers and do it yourself. If this was my wedding reception buffet I''d want nice finger food, like small croissant sandwiches, fresh fruit, meatballs in a sweet and sour sauce, smoked salmon, crackers and nice cheese...

 

[aphisiglovessae]

Date: 2/14/2006 12:51:08 AM
Author: sweety_72785
OK, I was thinking more along the lines of the plastic plates. And like a buffet because it would be platters of food. But since I posted this I think plans have changed and we are going to cater plate dinners thanks for all the input!!!

That would''ve been fine in my opinion, but you specifically said paper plates. My reception will have platters of food as well, which I think is more cost efficient and gives everyone the opportunity to pick and choose their dinner. I''m glad things worked out for you though. I''m sure it''ll be a lovely reception.

 

[Caribou]

I was thinking this same thing. My honey is from a rural part of MI and it''s not uncommon for wedding receptions there to have paper plates. I mean, guests show up in jeans.

We were going to have our reception at a farm that the barn was converted into a reception hall. I was considering having a backyard BBQ type theme.....I think in this case, paperplates would be fine (nice paperplates). However, if you want a more classy type reception than I''d veto the paperplates. It might look tacky.

 

[selflove]

I can''t envision plastic plates any better than paper plates, sorry. But what was mentioned earlier, that people aren''t going to care, is what''s most important. I read something recently about how to have the best reception is to invite everyone you love and like. If that means cutting back on the food or bar or decorations or whatever, you won''t regret it, b/c it''s the people that make the event special, not the plates.

Good luck! Keep us posted!

 

[ellewoods]

Yes, that strikes me as tacky.

I think paper plates should be avoided entirely, no matter what the reason, unless you are getting married at an extremely casual, extremely small family BBQ. Plastic plates -- no matter how nice -- do not seem appropriate either.

And for a guest list of 100 people....it is understandable you are trying to keep the guest list down, but once you get up to higher numbers of people, it''s very tacky to hold a wedding and invite all those people and then serve platters of food on paper plates -- that isn''t even a true buffet. I think buffet at weddings are tacky, personally, but I understand in some locales they are accepted and are a tradition. If your wedding is a VERY casual affair, and this is clear from the invitations and other parts of your wedding that you buy, then this may be OK in certain locales.

If your budget is limited, I think it is a better idea to cut the guest list and have nicer food options. At least real plates.

And if you do have a more casual wedding, with food platters and paper/plastic plates, a semi-buffet, etc. please PLEASE do not spend a ton of money on the other expenses, such as your dress. I''m not saying you have to buy a $50 white dress. But I have attended one wedding that was extremely tacky....the couple got married at a park, which was pretty. But there were about 100-120 guests. The park area was extremely small, in a very rustic setting with loose dirt everywhere, and no seats -- just some stone benches. Then the bride walks down the isle -- in a ridiculously formal gown. Poofy shoulders, long sleeves, ornate detailing, 6 foot train, even pantyhose! The bridesmaids were wearing floor length formal bridesmaid dresses, matching wraps (when it was the middle of the summer) completely out of place. None of the dress went with their casual, budget wedding. Same for the reception afterwards....but I will save those details.

Anyway, it just felt totally strange as guests to see the couple had their wedding for free in a rustic, local park, yet chose other wedding details that were completely clashing with their atmosphere or budget. I know every couple should spend their money how they like, but this was also the couple that had their rehersal dinner at a friend-of-a-friend''s house, and it consisted of Stouffer''s frozen lasagna. Now I love Stouffer''s lasagna in the right situation, but a rehersal dinner is not one of them!

And it''s not all about the amount of money you spend -- if the bride above had worn a casual Vera Wang that looked gorgeous and fit with the atmosphere and tone of the wedding, that would have been much more appropriate. But to wear a extremely formal, Victorian type wedding gown -- no matter how much it cost -- with a giant train and 2 veils and all of that.....felt like we were at a play or costume party.