Do you need both dinner plates and dessert plates at a party

Yes whenever you serve both a main spread and birthday cake: buy 9–10.5 inch dinner plates for main food and 7-inch side or dessert plates for cake and snacks. Splitting sizes saves 20% on plate cost and stops cake icing mixing with savoury food.

How many 7 inch cake plates should you buy?

One per guest plus a 15% buffer, plus another half-allocation if you serve finger snacks before the main meal comes out.

Can you serve a whole kids party on 7 inch plates?

For pizza slices, sandwiches and cake, yes. A 7-inch plate fits child portions neatly and leaves more room on narrow party tables.

Related questions about party tableware

Paper vs plastic vs reusable tableware

Choose paper for birthdays and quick clean-up, plastic when plates must hold heavy or saucy food, and reusable for showers and dinners where the table is part of the styling. Paper is the cheapest per head, plastic is the strongest, and reusable only wins once it is washed and used again.

Read the full answer: Paper vs plastic vs reusable tableware

How many plates, cups and napkins do you need per guest

Plan 2 3 plates, 3 cups and 4 5 napkins per guest . People reuse a cup but rarely reuse a plate, and napkins double as spill control.

Read the full answer: How many plates, cups and napkins do you need per guest

Which paper plates are strong enough for a party

Choose coated plates of 300 gsm or heavier with a rim : the coating stops sauce soaking through and the rim stops the plate bending under load. Thin uncoated plates are fine for cake and snacks but collapse under pasta, rice or anything with gravy.

Read the full answer: Which paper plates are strong enough for a party

Wood or plastic cutlery for a party

Choose wood for a natural, photo-friendly look and better heat resistance; choose plastic for strength with heavy food and lower cost. Wood can taste faintly of timber with acidic foods, and thin wooden forks snap at the tine under load.

Read the full answer: Wood or plastic cutlery for a party

Frequently asked questions

Do you need both dinner plates and dessert plates at a party

Yes whenever you serve both a main spread and birthday cake: buy 9 10.5 inch dinner plates for main food and 7-inch side or dessert plates for cake and snacks.

How many 7 inch cake plates should you buy?

One per guest plus a 15% buffer, plus another half-allocation if you serve finger snacks before the main meal comes out.

Can you serve a whole kids party on 7 inch plates?

For pizza slices, sandwiches and cake, yes.

Paper vs plastic vs reusable tableware

Choose paper for birthdays and quick clean-up, plastic when plates must hold heavy or saucy food, and reusable for showers and dinners where the table is part of the styling.

Read next: party tableware buying guide · party tableware category · paper vs plastic plates · paper plates · wood vs plastic cutlery.

Written by the Jofete Team — practical party planning ideas, product guides and celebration inspiration from Jofete. Last updated: November 03, 2026.

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2026-11-06 04:45:00

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