Relaxed Yacht Wedding-catering Question

I am 2 ways on this. IF the paper plates provide are gold or silver, than I think it would work. Anything else, to me, would be tacky looking. I DO love the Yacht idea though! 😁🛥🛥

View Quoted Comment Thank you so much! It was FH’s idea and I couldn’t be more excited about it!! We got to visit the yacht this summer and saw dolphins while it was docked. I think that’s a great thing to look into. I’m going to ask my caterer what type of paper plates they have. ☺️

In my mind, “Yacht” and “paper plates” are on 2 separate levels and don’t really go together. As for BBQ, it’s ok but I think it’s a little messy. Is there the option to just have regular chicken instead? We, too, are not having a traditional reception. It’s on the rooftop of a beachfront hotel and overlooks the Pacific Ocean. Sunset that day is at 6pm and our reception will be 2:30 to 6:30pm, ending shortly after sunset (and before dinner time). Given the location, the time and overall vibe, we’re having a cocktail style reception, with a mix of lounge seating, bar height tables & barstools, lower cocktail tables, freestanding pub tables, etc. No assigned seating because it’s more of a “day party” than a sit down reception.

Are guests dressing formal, or is it more casual “yacht wear”? To me a yacht sounds very fancy, in which case disposable silverware and plates would seem out of place, especially if the dress code is formal.

View Quoted Comment I agree with you that yacht and paper plates don’t seem to go. The event directors on the yacht said that a lot of people go with the BBQ catering option because the food is good and pricing is good. Maybe I should get some bibs and tide to go pens or check on doing just chicken. I liked the idea of having 2 meat options so people have a choice. I may look into just getting some plates myself. It’s going to be somewhat small though and just our families and close friends. By the way love the idea of the rooftop wedding overlooking the ocean! How beautiful!

View Quoted Comment I understand what you mean. Looking at the venue may give you an idea. It’s the Carolina girl yacht in Charleston SC. I would say it will be more casual but don’t want it to not match the venue. I don’t expect people to wear gowns and suits lol maybe dresses and button down shirts.

I agree that “yacht” and “BBQ” seem incongruous. I don’t think there’s anything inherently tacky with BBQ - my cousin had it for her wedding, with paper plates, bibs, etc, but her wedding was in a barn, so it matched the vibe.


I would definitely not expect BBQ on a yacht (I immediately think of champagne and seafood towers, but maybe I’ve watched too much Below Deck Ultimately, though, it’s your wedding, and if you want barbecue, go for it!

View Quoted Comment Lol! I totally get that! Surprisingly though, the BBQ caterer is actually one of the preferred vendors on the yacht and a common choice among brides. But I do agree that it’s more common to see it for barn weddings. I think for me a lot of it comes down to, having BBQ and going to Jamaica on our honeymoon or having a more expensive caterer and taking a cheaper honeymoon. We really want Jamaica. Lol.

View Quoted Comment We’re going to Jamaica too! I’m completely on the side of serving BBQ now 🏖🏖🏖

View Quoted Comment Soo exciting!!! Thank you 😂 what part of Jamaica?? I’ve been looking at the sandals resorts and I’m in love.

View Quoted Comment We’re going to Couples Negril. We wanted an adults/only, all inclusive. And our friends went there on their honeymoon and loved it. Sandals looked really nice too!

View Quoted Comment Oh cool! If they’ve seen BBQ done often without problems, then that sounds like it will work.


Thank you! I’m so ready for it to get here. It’s been a long (nearly 3 year) road, with postponing.

If you are thinking about getting your own tableware, check out Oriental Trading Company!

View Quoted Comment I don’t know why I didn’t think to check there! I’m a teacher so I love oriental trading! Thank you!

I had bbq at my wedding! They were going to provide all plates and silverware but it was going to be styrofoam and I just wasn’t into it so I provided my own plastic disposable plates that were gold and white. Amazon! I wrapped my own forks and knifes in white napkins with a pretty bow and put in a basket too.


On my wedding invitation I wrote:
“Ceremony, BBQ and party”
I wrote this to give my guests the impression that it was going to be a laid back wedding instead of a traditional chicken Marsala, filet mignon, cocktail hour, sit down, type of wedding. If ya know what I mean! I also had “dressy casual” as my attire.