Paper plates at wedding?

[Scoopmuckdizzy]

What do you think? We're planning a very low-key homemade wedding for approximately 40-50 at my parents farm.

I really like the idea of a picnic wedding where we serve pasta salad/quiches etc and invite guests to sit on picnic blankets (obviously this wouldn't be expected of older guests and we do have tables they can sit at). If it's poor weather we can use a barn and it will likely be everyone seated around tables in that case)

I'm trying to keep it as hassle-free as possible and thinking of paper plates and disposable cutlery to save washing up later on. There are some pretty paper plates on ebay but my mum isn't convinced and thinks it will lower the tone of our wedding.

To be honest we already have 2 children and live together- I don't suppose I feel the same excitement about this as I would if we hadn't been together for so long. We'd rather spend our money on our home and DC than the wedding. It was originally only going to be us and a couple of witnesses but now my mum is involved I can't really say no as it's so kind of her to let us use their farm for free.

I suppose what I'm asking is would you look down on a wedding where everything is done so obviously on the cheap? We still plan on having a lovely day- just not an overly expensive one!

[MadamG]

We used paper plates for the evening do of our wedding... I disapproved on environmental grounds but finances and practicalities won the day.

[WishUponAStar88]

Paper plates will be fine and your wedding sounds lovely, congratulations

[helgaw99]

A friend of mine used compostable bamboo plates and cutlery. That way all food waste and plates etc went into one bin at the end and was composted.

They looked like nice wooden plates and was very effective and pretty cheap I think.

X

[redcaryellowcar]

I think it sounds lovely.

[Scoopmuckdizzy]

Thank you. I like the idea of compostable plates - I will definitely be considering those.

[icklekid]

Plastic or bamboo would probably be a step up from paper but not the end of the world!

[AbbeyRoadCrossing]

I think it goes nicely with the rest of your wedding. If it was at a big formal do in a hotel it would be a bit weird, but for a picnic it makes sense.
Those bamboo ones already mentioned are ace and a bit more sturdy

[ICantFindAFreeNickName]

If you are going for a shabby chic look, you can get some beautiful patterned paper plates.

[PleaseGetOffTheTableDarling]

Another option might be hiring plates from a supermarket - we hired all our glasses and crockery for our wedding from Sainsbury's and IIRC it's actually free - you just pay for breakages.

Congratulations and good luck with your wedding- homemade is the best!

[InQuiteAPickle]

I couldn't give a monkeys what food is served on at a wedding - as long as the booze is flowing and the company is great .

Congratulations! I hope you have a wonderful wedding.

[FaithLoveandHope]

We're having paper plates! I hadn't even considered the fact it may lower the tone! I figured those who know and love us won't care and if anyone does care then quite frankly they can sod off. It's your day, do what makes you happy

[Scoopmuckdizzy]

Yes I'm thinking along those lines too, Faithhopeandlove!

We don't really have a theme, or colours (much to the annoyance of my mum) but I'm hoping it will all come together somehow.

[redcaryellowcar]

Not sure if this helps, but I read in a wedding book to help choose a colour scheme, choose white or ivory/ cream then silver or gold and then a colour you like. Theme is a bit more tricky, but I think you probably have 'country picnic' as a starting point!

[SilasGreenback]

I don't think it lowers the tone, but I do think paper plates don't really work if you are loading up food in one place and carrying them somewhere to eat, especially if you have a glass in the other hand. They tend to sag and bend. Even plastic ones do unless they are super thick ones.

I have a stack of party plates I bought from IKEA one year for a BBQ when I realised they were cheaper then decent plastic plates. Still very plain but they don't bend!