Event Disposables
Plates, bowls, cups, napkins and cutlery for weddings, parties and BBQs, all plastic-free. Tell us your guests and we work out what to order: a wedding buffet costs about 32p a guest.
- 32pper wedding guest
- 18pper child at a party
- Freenext-day UK delivery
Made for the day, not just the kitchen
Clean white and natural brown tableware that suits a marquee, a garden or a village hall.
Tableware cost per guest, by event
Online price uses our largest pack. Wholesale is our 50+ box price for planners and venues. All prices include VAT.
| Event | What each guest uses | Online | Wholesale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christmas party | 10 inch bagasse plate, 7 inch bagasse plate, 240ml bagasse bowl, wooden fork, wooden knife, wooden spoon, 2 × 8oz paper cup, 3 × napkin | 34.2p | 28.1p |
| Wedding buffet | 1.5 × 10 inch bagasse plate, 7 inch bagasse plate, wooden fork, wooden knife, wooden spoon, 2 × 7oz paper cup, 3 × napkin | 31.7p | 26.3p |
| Garden BBQ | 2 × 9 inch brown plate, 240ml bagasse bowl, wooden fork, wooden knife, 2 × 7oz paper cup, 3 × napkin | 32.9p | 26.9p |
| Kids party | 9 inch paper plate, 240ml bagasse bowl, wooden spoon, 2 × 7oz paper cup, 3 × napkin | 17.8p | 14.2p |
| Drinks and nibbles | 2 × 7 inch bagasse plate, 3 × 7oz paper cup, 4 × napkin | 21.6p | 17.2p |
| Afternoon tea | 2 × 7 inch bagasse plate, 2 × 8oz paper cup, wooden spoon, 2 × napkin | 20.7p | 16.7p |
| Office party | 1.5 × 9 inch bagasse plate, 240ml bagasse bowl, wooden fork, 3 × 7oz paper cup, 3 × napkin | 29.0p | 23.0p |
For 100 wedding guests, tableware comes to about £32, including VAT, before any spare.
How much do you need for your event?
Pick your event and number of guests. We work out the packs to order.
1. Your event
2. Number of guests
3. What to order
| Item | Needed | Buy | Cost |
|---|
Match the tableware to the moment
From the first drink to the last slice of cake.
Party food
Sandwiches, sausage rolls, crisps. White 9 inch paper plates with a fluted rim for light, dry party food. The cheapest plate per guest.
Shop paper plates →
Wedding cake and desserts
Cake, tarts, cheese. Small 7 inch bagasse plates for cake and puddings. Rigid enough for cream and fruit, and smart on a dessert table.
Shop bagasse plates →
Puddings and sides
Eton mess, trifle, coleslaw. Small 240ml bowls for a single portion of pudding, ice cream or a side salad.
Shop small bowls →
BBQ and garden
Burgers, sausages, corn. Natural brown bagasse plates suit a garden or rustic wedding and take hot, greasy BBQ food without going soft.
Shop brown plates →
Napkins for every guest
Buffets, cake and drinks. White 1-ply napkins, 30 x 30cm. Allow 3 per guest at a buffet and 4 at a drinks reception.
Shop napkins →
Spoons and cutlery
Desserts, mousse, soup. Birch wood spoons, forks and knives. Single-use plastic cutlery cannot be supplied in England.
Shop wooden cutlery →How many per guest?
Our rule of thumb for buffets and parties, so you do not run out halfway through the evening.
What the law allows in England: since 1 October 2023, single-use plastic plates, bowls, trays and cutlery cannot be supplied to the public. Bagasse, paper and wooden tableware is allowed. Scotland and Wales have similar rules.
- Plates: 1.5 dinner plates per guest, plus 1 small plate each if there is cake or dessert.
- Cups: 2 per guest for a party, 3 for a long reception or a hot day.
- Napkins: 3 per guest at a buffet, 4 at a drinks reception with canapés.
- Cutlery: 1 set per guest, plus 10% spare for dropped forks and second helpings.
Example order for a 100-guest wedding buffet
| Item | Needed | Buy |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Inch White Bagasse Plates | 150 | 1 × 150 (£17.99) |
| 7 Inch White Bagasse Plates | 100 | 1 × 100 (£9.79) |
| Wooden Forks 16cm | 100 | 1 × 100 (£5.29) |
| Wooden Knives 16cm | 100 | 1 × 100 (£5.29) |
| Wooden Spoons 16cm | 100 | 1 × 100 (£5.29) |
| 7oz | 200 | 1 × 500 (£15.49) |
| 1-Ply White Paper Napkins 30 x 30cm | 300 | 1 × 500 (£8.29) |
Planning events every month?
Event planners, venues and caterers ordering 50 boxes or more get wholesale prices: a wedding buffet drops from 31.7p to 26.3p a guest. Mix any products on one pallet, delivered free.
Event disposables questions
Still unsure? Call 01234 867 727 or email info@askpackagingltd.com. We reply the same working day.
How many plates do I need per guest?
Plan 1.5 dinner plates per guest at a buffet, because people go back for seconds, plus one small plate each if you serve cake or dessert.
How much does party tableware cost per guest?
From about 18p per child at a kids party to around 32p per guest for a wedding buffet with cake and drinks, including VAT, using our largest packs.
Are disposable plates acceptable at a wedding?
Yes. White bagasse plates have a smooth, matte white finish, hold a full buffet plate without bending, and are compostable, so they suit marquee, garden and village hall weddings.
How far ahead should I order for an event?
Order at least a week before, so you can check quantities. We dispatch the same day for orders placed by 3pm, Monday to Friday.
Can I use plastic plates and cups at a party in England?
Single-use plastic plates, bowls and cutlery cannot be supplied to the public in England. Paper cups, bagasse plates and wooden cutlery are all allowed.