The Perfect Wedding Tableware - Real or Disposable?

As events across the world continue to evolve in response to the virus, more and more people are looking at outdoor spaces as the perfect venue for their wedding. The open air of a beach event, a rustic farmhouse hilltop setting, or a beautiful backyard party, have all become more attractive to those seeking to maintain social distancing while continuing to live life. The special moments of these celebrations will still be cherished for a lifetime, so getting it perfect is still paramount. As with all things party supplies related, proper planning and forward thinking decisions will help alleviate the stress of dealing with chaos on your wedding day.

Of the many decisions you will need to make for your party, one that will impact the vibe and feel of your special day significantly is going to be which settings you choose to use for your cocktails and dinner. While traditional ceramic or porcelain dishes or often go-to options for indoor venues, trends are showing that an increasing number of indoor and outdoor events are opting for disposable dishes and flatware.  So we set about trying to figure out what the appeal of disposables are over real dishes, and why so many brides and grooms are going in that direction. Here is what we found.

Function meets Fashion

There was a time when the option (yes, that is singular) for a plastic plate was at best blah. It served its purpose undoubtedly, but not with much flair or style. It was the necessary alternative when used, and at best, you would opt to use it again only if you had to. For that reason, real dishes still remained a desirable option for culinary presentation. Over time however, beautiful options began to emerge in the market of disposables. Such options, oftentimes available in full kits or combo sets, were not just a perfect solution to off-site events, they were actually stunning alternatives to real dishware. Brands like Exquisite and Trendables offer an array of designs and styles that continue to grow, allowing wedding planners to choose from a huge variety of options, and create picture perfect personalized looks for every event! In a relatively short span of time, the blah option became the wow! options (yes, plural). So utility aside, the options for your wedding are no longer limited to the three or four tired choices your caterer happens to have for the past twenty years. Instead, you can now choose from modern and chic designs, and find the look that suits your taste best. After all, it is your wedding, so why not make it yours?

Safety First - keeping things sanitary

In an added bonus to what is already an attractive proposition, the virus has made many people realize that good hygiene and sanitary conditions are an absolute must at any public gathering or event! While this has always been true, it is now on the forefront of everybody's mind, including your guests, and the need for such cleanliness cannot be made clearer. This brings out another primary attraction of disposables - sanitary, clean, and germ free service! Gone are the concerns of a dishwasher that didn't run hot enough, or a cycle without chemicals, etc. Here you know you are eating on clean, new plates. This is true enough that many restaurants have also begun to opt in to these options - even for upscale dining! In an age where keeping things clean are an absolute must, disposables are most definitely the most attractive option.

Convenience & Ease - changing the industry

So why are disposable dishware and flatware so popular for outdoor events? Another simple reason is physical movement. Caterers doing a wedding or party for 150 to 200 people are moving a lot of equipment. When the event is off-site, that movement is even greater. You need salad and dinner plates, soup bowls, barware and glasses, serving utensils, flatware, and much more! Imagine the hassle of moving all of that around. Crates and crates of dishes being dragged from a kitchen on to a truck, to an event site, to a staging area, only to be used and have to make the return trip. Disposables have proven to be a much more convenient option. They take up a fraction of the space, so transport is of no concern. In fact, the entire service for a party of 150 could fit into a couple of boxes. No need to schlep hundreds of lbs all over the place when you can get the same job done with much less work! As the saying goes - Work smarter, not harder!   

In summary, when planning your wedding event, whether it is the rehearsal dinner or the wedding day brunch, disposable dishes are a formidable option that should not be quickly overlooked. Factory Direct Party has beautiful options at unbeatable prices and can help make your wedding the showcase event that it deserves to be!