Deborah Chan
Charger plates, also known as base plates, are large decorative plates placed underneath dinner plates at formal or casual dinners. They are used to protect tabletops and tablecloths from heat, spills, and stains and to help servers place food correctly. Charger plates are often used at wedding receptions to elevate the aesthetics of the event and add a sense of elegance and sophistication to the table setting. They come in various colours, sizes, styles, designs, and prices, allowing couples to choose options that complement their wedding themes and centrepieces. Charger plates are typically removed after the first course but can be kept throughout the meal for aesthetic purposes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Completing the look of dining tables, setting the mood, creating an elegant atmosphere, adding visual appeal, protecting tabletops and tablecloths from heat, spills and stains |
| Use | Placed underneath the main dinner plate, used as a base for other dinnerware, can also be used as candle holders or for decorative purposes on walls |
| Variety | Large variety of colours, sizes, styles, designs, and prices, including glass, mirrored glass, paper, metal, acrylic, plastic, porcelain, silver, gold, rose gold, marble, wooden, beaded, and scalloped edges |
| Benefits | Adds a sense of elegance and sophistication, makes a place setting look more luxurious, adds a pop of colour or texture, helps serve food, catches crumbs, keeps food warm |
| Considerations | Matching with the wedding theme and other table decorations, choosing table linens before deciding on charger plates, considering the size of tables and the number of guests per table |
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What You'll Learn
Charger plates are decorative
Charger plates are large decorative plates that act as a base for other dinnerware to be placed on during a wedding reception. They are not meant to be eaten off and are removed before the dessert course. Charger plates are available in a variety of colours, sizes, styles, designs and prices, allowing couples to choose options that align with their wedding themes and colour palettes. For instance, charger plates with a floral print would complement a spring garden wedding, while a watercolour design would be ideal for a seaside ceremony.
Charger plates are typically used to enhance the aesthetics of a wedding reception and elevate the look of the dining tables. They can be made from a range of materials, including glass, mirrored glass, paper, metal, acrylic, plastic, porcelain and even wood. Charger plates with metallic hues, such as gold beaded rims or silver accents, can add a touch of luxury and elegance to the table settings. For a more rustic or bohemian-inspired wedding, charger plates made from woven fabric or wood can be a unique alternative to traditional plates.
In addition to their decorative purpose, charger plates also serve a functional role. They can protect tabletops and tablecloths from heat, spills and stains, especially when renting tables and linens. Charger plates can also help servers with food placement and keep food warm. For buffet-style receptions, charger plates can be placed on the tables to prevent them from looking bare or incomplete.
Couples can further enhance the visual appeal of their wedding reception tables by coordinating charger plates with linens, napkins, napkin rings and centrepieces. Charger plates can be chosen to complement the colour or pattern of the table linens or to highlight floral arrangements. They can also be used as a decorative accent by selecting styles with beaded edges, scroll patterns or scalloped edges.
Overall, charger plates are a decorative element that can add a sense of elegance and sophistication to a wedding reception. They provide an opportunity for creativity and personalisation, allowing couples to showcase their unique style and create a memorable atmosphere for their guests.
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They complete the look of a dining table
Charger plates are large decorative plates that act as a base for other dinnerware. They are not used for serving food but are placed underneath the main dinner plate to add colour and decorative accents to dinner tables. They come in a variety of colours, sizes, styles, designs and prices, and can be made from materials such as glass, mirrored glass, paper, metal, acrylic, plastic, porcelain and even wood. Charger plates can be used to protect tabletops and tablecloths from heat, spills and stains, and they also help servers with food placement.
Charger plates are a great way to complete the look of a dining table at a wedding reception. They can be used to set the mood and create an elegant atmosphere, adding visual appeal to the dinner tables. Charger plates can be chosen to match the wedding's colour palette, centrepieces, napkins and other table decorations. They can also be used to pay tribute to the location of the wedding, such as chargers inspired by Portuguese tiles for a wedding in Portugal.
Charger plates can be especially useful for buffet-style dinners, where there is no plate on the table, to ensure the tables do not look bare or empty. They can also be placed underneath the dinner plates to give a finished look to the table setting. Charger plates can be purchased or even handmade, and they can be resold after the wedding.
While charger plates are not a necessity, they can elevate the aesthetics of the wedding photos and make a place setting look more luxurious. They can be chosen to complement the theme of the wedding, such as a floral print for a spring garden wedding or a watercolour design for a seaside ceremony. Charger plates can also be used as candle holders or for decorative purposes on walls.
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Chargers are functional
Chargers are placed on the table so that guests are not faced with an empty, inhospitable-looking space. They can be removed after the starter or main course, before dessert. Chargers can also be used as a base for other dinnerware, helping to hold each place setting together and giving a unified look to the tabletop.
Chargers come in a variety of colours, styles, materials, sizes and prices, and can be used to add a pop of colour or texture to the table. They can also be used to complement the theme of your wedding, for example, floral prints for a spring garden wedding, or watercolour designs for a seaside ceremony. Chargers can also be used as a tribute to a location that holds a special place in your heart, such as Portuguese-inspired chargers for a wedding in Portugal.
Chargers can be made from glass, mirrored glass, paper, metal, acrylic, plastic, porcelain, wood or fabric. They can be round, or explore different shapes such as plates with scalloped edges. Chargers can also be decorated with beaded edges or gold rims.
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Chargers can be used for seated dinners or buffets
Chargers are large, decorative plates that act as a base for other dinnerware. They are used to protect tabletops and tablecloths from heat, spills and stains. Chargers are available in a variety of colours, sizes, styles, designs and prices, and can be made from materials such as glass, mirrored glass, paper, metal, acrylic, plastic, porcelain and even wood.
For buffets, chargers can be placed on the table along with the dinner plate to make the table look more finished and complete. This is especially useful if the actual plates will be placed near the buffet, as it can make the table look less bare. However, some guests may be confused by the presence of chargers and may try to eat from them, so it may be necessary to make an announcement clarifying their purpose.
Chargers can also be used as candle holders or for decorative purposes on walls. They can be reused or resold after the event.
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Chargers are not necessary
Charger plates are large, decorative plates that act as a base for other dinnerware to be placed throughout the course of the meal. They are not necessary for a wedding reception, and there are several reasons why one might decide to forgo them.
Firstly, charger plates can be expensive, and some may consider them an unnecessary expense, especially when planning a wedding on a budget. The money that would have been spent on charger plates could be allocated to other aspects of the wedding that are considered higher priorities. Additionally, some couples may not wish to purchase charger plates that they will likely never use again, and may prefer to invest in reusable items.
Secondly, charger plates are purely decorative and do not serve any functional purpose. They are not used for eating, and some may consider them an unnecessary addition to the table setting. Charger plates may also detract from other adornments on the reception tables, such as floral centrepieces or elegant dinnerware, which are intended to be the focal points.
Furthermore, charger plates are not essential to a complete or elegant table setting. They are not required, and tables can still look elegant and well-decorated without them. Many couples have chosen to forgo charger plates and have been happy with their decision, feeling that their tables looked fine without them.
Finally, the use of charger plates may depend on the type of wedding and table setting. For example, charger plates may be more commonly used in formal or black-tie weddings, whereas they may be less necessary for casual dinners or outdoor weddings. Additionally, if the couple is already using tablecloths or other table coverings, charger plates may be considered redundant.
In conclusion, while charger plates can add a decorative touch to a wedding reception, they are not necessary. Couples can choose to allocate their budget to other areas, create elegant table settings without them, and ensure that other adornments on the tables shine through.
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Frequently asked questions
Charger plates are large, decorative plates that act as a base for other dinnerware to be placed throughout the meal. They are not used for eating from.
Charger plates are a great way to add a sense of elegance and sophistication to a wedding reception. They can also help to protect tabletops and tablecloths from heat, spills and stains.
Charger plates come in a variety of materials, including glass, mirrored glass, paper, metal, acrylic, plastic, porcelain and even wood.
Charger plates come in a wide variety of colours. You may want to choose a colour that complements your wedding palette or the hues used in your centrepieces and napkins.
Charger plates are not a necessity for a wedding reception. They are purely decorative and some people may consider them an unnecessary expense. However, they can add a nice finishing touch to your table settings and elevate your wedding photos.
