Veneerware Size & Shape Guide: Find The Perfect Fit For Your Event

From happy hour and hors d'oeuvres to dinner and dessert, we’ve designed a disposable plate for every minute of your event. Here’s what you need to know to choose the right one.

When it comes to planning an event where food is involved, an often overlooked but essential piece of the puzzle is dinnerware. Pick well, and you’ll enjoy a mess-free event with little food wasted. Settle for subpar, and you might find yourself faced with spills, leaks, and heaps of tasty (and expensive) food in the trash.

That’s where Veneerware®, Bambu’s very own line of compostable dinnerware, comes in. Made from 100% USDA-certified organic bamboo, our plates offer a disposable option that’s sleek, lightweight, and durable. With three plate styles and five different sizes, there are plenty of options. But which one is right for your event? We’ve taken our 20 years of experience, added in your most common questions, and developed a guide for every type of meal. Let’s get started!

Pick Your Compostable Plate, Based On Meal Type

Do you know what food you’ll be serving? Use these tips to match it to the correctly sized plate. And don’t worry about the type of food you choose to serve– our durable, moisture-resistant plates are ready to handle even the heaviest, sauciest dishes (no matter the plate size).

Breakfast & Brunch

Our Pick: 9” Round, 9” Fancy

For morning meals, opt for a plate that’s big enough, but not too big. These meals tend to be lighter, and guests typically eat less. But, to save on waste, you’ll want a plate that comfortably fits the average guest serving on it, so they don’t accidentally toss their plate and then grab another one for seconds. The 9-inch round and fancy plates are the ideal happy medium for this meal.

Buffet-Style Lunch Or Dinner

Our Pick: 11” Round, 11” Fancy, 9” Square

Our compostable plates are favorites for buffet-style meals. Thanks to their sturdy design, you’ll never have to worry about the plates weakening with heavy food items or sauces. And when it comes to buffets, we’ve learned a thing or two about the perfect plate size, too. The 11” round and fancy, or 9” square plate sizes offer the ideal surface area. 

Why not the 11” Square? Because this plate offers more surface area and a smaller brim than the round or fancy styles, guests tend to overfill their plates. This increases the likelihood of running out of food early. Stick with a slightly smaller plate to ensure your buffet line runs smoothly.

Hors d’oeuvres

Our Pick: 3.5” Square, 5” Square

Whether your event features a happy hour, tea time, or light snack, Hors d’oeuvres style meals are a fantastic choice for many events. If you are offering plated food, we suggest the 3.5” square plate. This offers the perfect amount of room for a small bite-sized offering. For an appetizer table, go with the 5” square. It’ll fit a couple of bites for each guest. This ensures that the food doesn’t disappear too quickly, but that guests feel fuller after one plateful. 

Salad Course

Our Pick: 9” Round, 9” Fancy, or 7” Square

When your meal starts with a salad course, you’ll want a plate that offers enough space to make eating mess-free. And just enough so that guests aren’t too filled up after the first course. We’ve found that the perfect balance is the 9” round, 9” fancy, or 7” square plates. Once again, the square plates offer just a touch more surface area, so we suggest sizing down to the 7-inch option.

Plated Dinner

Our Pick: 11” Square, 11” Round, or 11” Fancy

When you serve a plated dinner, you have complete control over portion size and presentation. To ensure an elegant, uncrowded look, we suggest our largest plate offerings, the 11” square, round, or fancy plates. If you would like the largest surface area available, choose the 11” square option. This plate is a great choice for meals that feature a statement dish, like a steak or filet of fish.

Dessert

Our Pick: 5” Square, 7” Round, 7” Fancy

Don’t forget the final offering of the day! Whether you’re serving up wedding cake, dessert donuts, or cookies, the 5” square or 7” round and fancy plates offer a great size. When you’re planning dessert for a large group, a plate that offers space to satiate guests' sweet tooths (but not too big for them to overindulge) is key. 

Style The Table: What Shape Of Plate Is Right For My Event?

Once you know what size is right for your meal, it’s time to narrow down the options. We recommend sticking to one plate shape for your entire event, so consider the shapes and sizes that best suit your food offerings. Now, pick the style that matches your aesthetic. Here’s our professional opinion:

Square

Best For: Graduations, corporate events, most indoor events

The modern, curved edge square plate is a clear match for formal events. Its sleek look fits right in on black or white tablecloths. And with sizes ranging from 3.5” to 11”, this style is a great fit for meals with multiple courses, too.

Round

Best For: BBQs, picnics, and everything else, too

Is there anywhere a round plate doesn’t fit in? We can’t think of it. This classic, always-welcome shape is a great match for casual backyard events and meals shared in an outdoor setting. But, it’s easily dressed up for fancier events, too. Pair it with silverware or cloth napkins to up the refined look.

Fancy

Best For: Bridal and baby showers, weddings, and other elegant events

The scalloped-edged fancy design is ready for your most tasteful events. While it’s not overly feminine, it is right at home at bridal and baby showers. And whether you’re looking to add some shine to a barn wedding or keep an all-white affair looking sophisticated, this shape is fit for all kinds of nuptials.

What do you think: did we answer all of your compostable plate questions? If you’re still not 100% sure which plate is right for your event, give our customer care team a call. We’ll be happy to assist you.

Don’t Forget The Final Touches…

No matter the size or shape that you choose, our disposable plates are a perfect match for coordinating cutlery and disposable straws. Plus, make serving a breeze with sturdy and mess-free serving spoons and tongs.

Prefer a hands-on approach? Order a Veneerware sample box, and try all 17 options for just $19.