Fandango Catering and Events Offers Tips for Using Paper Serveware for Events

With the Royal Wedding tomorrow and parties and weddings on everyone's mind, it's time to put on the event idea thinking cap! At Fandango we are known as an eco-friendly business, so it may surprise some that today we're discussing using paper serveware to create dazzling events.  But using paper serveware can be at least a partially eco-friendly choice for an event.

When Using Paper Serveware is the Best Choice
There are times and situations where using paper serveware is the best choice.  For example:

• When you simply will not have time to or want to wash any dishes (and between washing dishes and not hosting anything you'd even prefer to not host anything)
• When renting dishes isn't an option
• When you don't have hired help to wash dishes

Whatever the reason(s), take advantage of using beautiful paper serveware to create a dazzling event. And then do the following eco-friendly things:

• Scrape food off used plates after your event and if they aren't soaking wet put them in the recycling bin--today's recycling facilities can use at least part of that
• Either use up any paper serveware leftover from your event at your home or office or donate it to a shelter--please don't throw it in the garbage

Using Paper Serveware to Create Dazzling Events
First things first: paper serveware, no matter how beautiful, is not appropriate for very formal events like many weddings, gala fundraisers, or formal sit-down dinners.

But for most other events, indoors and outdoors (including outdoor weddings, or for hors d'oeuvres at an indoor wedding), it's fine, and you can use the amazing array of beautiful colors and designs to create an event that everyone will admire and remember (we hope any food served is good too).  One of our most successful parties used decorative paper serveware we found at Neiman Marcus.  The great thing about paper serveware is that it's an eyecatcher and just makes an event instantly festive and beautiful with very little work on your part besides buying it. Specifics?

Choose a color and/or design--our favorite paper serveware source is Caspari (http://www.casparionline.com/ ).  On their website you can click to view their design collections (go to "Plates and napkins").  There are dozens of designs and colors to choose from, from traditional to contemporary, so there's something for every taste.
What color(s) do you like? What designs catch your eye? What goes with the room or place where your event will be held? Or do you have a theme or a type of food in mind for your event (for example, Asian or New Orleans or Memorial Day)?

Too much? --When you decide to use paper serveware for an event, you can either buy the plates and napkins in the same design or buy napkins in a solid color that complements the design.  Either way can look good; if you buy the napkins in a solid, complementary color to the plate design it tends to put more of a focus on the plate design but if you buy both the plates and the napkins in the same design it tends to look more festive, so both choices have advantages.  Decisions, decisions!
Wherever you buy your decorative paper serveware, beware the "party pack" syndrome in which plates, napkins, and glasses all have the same design--this does not look elegant (but it would be OK for a kids' party).  We like the Caspari cups because the texture is elegant, either grosgrain or moiré, so they look really nice, and they have great colors.

But How Do I Coordinate Everything?
Caspari makes it easy to coordinate paper serveware on their website since the site is intuitive and when you click to view a particular plate design line complimentary lines and colors of napkins and glasses are also displayed.  We also like their plate shapes: round or square.  We particularly like from their collection:

• Chinoiserie
• Dabney Lee
• Ethnic Chic
• Orchidae
• The Conservatory
• Pink Muguet plates with blue Muguet napkins
• Isabelle
• Jaipur
• Zanzibar
• Weddings and Showers Collection
• Grosgrain Tabletop
• Gold Leaf Plates
• Stripe Border
• Paper Cups

Cutlery and Tablecloths with Decorative Paper Serveware

We use real cutlery with decorative serveware so it doesn't look too much like a picnic but if you don't even want to wash real cutlery, try the Terraware biodegradable cutlery (sold at Whole Foods).  This cutlery is a nice ivory color and unlike some of the biodegradables goes with any event style, contemporary, eclectic, or traditional, whereas some of the bamboo eco-cutlery doesn't look good with a more traditional event style (though it looks nice with a modern style). As for tablecloths, if you're using one, a solid color looks best with decorative paper serveware to highlight the serveware's color(s) and design.

Enjoy!

Kristina

Kristina Ríos de Lumbreras, Ph.D.
Fandango Catering and Events
(713) 522-0077
http://www.fandango-catering.com/