China, Flatware and Glassware or Disposable Place Setting Options? Which is best?
Deciding which place settings to use for your banquet, wedding reception or celebration comes down to what you want, but, also what your budget is.
Real China, Glassware and Flatware
Using real china, glassware and flatware is always lovely and presents a more formal place setting for your catered meal, however there is a cost to opting for that choice which can dramatically influence any budget.
Plates
For everything menu item being offered, you will need a plate, bowl or cup on or in which that menu item will be presented. Examples are:
- Appetizer Plate
- Salad Plate or Bowl
- Dinner Plate
- Bread and Butter Plate
- Dessert Plate, Cup or Bowl
Utensils
You will need a utensil for just about every menu item being offered at your event like:
- Appetizer Fork
- Salad Fork
- Dinner Fork
- Dinner Knife
- Butter Knife
- Dinner Spoon
- Tea Spoon
- Dessert Fork or Spoon
Glassware
For every beverage you expect your guests to consume, you will need to supply a glass, flute or tumbler. Depending on the length of your event and the beverages being served, you could need 4-6 glasses per person. Glasses that may be needed include:
- Iced Tea Water Goblets
- Wine Glasses
- Champagne Flute if you’re having any kind of toast
- Bar Glasses if you’re offering a catered bar service
- Coffee Cups and Saucers
- Juice Glasses
Other Rental Items
Napkins
Any food service will require napkins. Linen napkins are best suited for place settings when using real china. If you are offering a bar, beverage napkins will be needed too.
Chargers
Dressing up the place setting with charges adds a special touch to the look of the table. If you choose to have those, you’ll need 1 per person
Miscellaneous Items
- Salt and Pepper Shakers
- Sugar Caddies
- Butter dishes
- Vases
This china catering service also requires more wait staff and bartenders than if the meal was offered on disposable plates with disposable tumblers because of the care china and glassware require. The average cost of a full banquet china place setting typically start at about $8- $10 per person.
If any items are lost, damaged or broken be prepared to pay for those. Read the rental company’s damage waiver which should indicate what you’d be responsible to pay should there be any items lost or not reusable.
Disposable Catering Place Settings
Using disposable plates and utensils for wedding catering and special event catering is a very popular option because it’s more economical to serve a large number of people. It also allows for quicker service, meaning you’ll need fewer Professional Wait Staff, and offers you a faster clean up time when the party’s over.
Another big benefit is you won’t have to worry about breaking or losing real plates, utensils or glasses.
Acrylic or Plastic
There are numerous shapes, sizes and patterns available for disposable place settings. Some look like real china and flatware but don’t cost near what renting real pieces do.
We can provide whatever pattern, size and color you want along with whatever disposable flatware you’d like to coordinate with your place setting.
Eco-Friendly
We even have eco-friendly place settings for those concerned about our environment. From compostable products to bamboo, there is quite a variety to consider and we can provide whatever selections you want. Some organizations and even venues will only allow this option or the use of real china and glassware so we’ve added this option to our disposable place setting options.