Paper plates and placemats are not exactly the height of elegance, and are generally reserved for the most informal outdoor weddings, rehearsal dinners or bridal showers. The newest design coming out recently are changing that. Take a look, for example, at the placemats above that were recently featured on Faye and Greer. They are not only a very affordable way to add a lot of design to your table - but they are also gorgeous!

The Hostess with the Mostess took it even further and created this bridal shower setting based on the paper plates shown in the photo below. A lot more exciting then boring white china, that's for sure. Paper plates are probably not ever going to be the right choice for a formal wedding, but a setting like this would be stunning for a formal shower or rehearsal dinner, or an informal or semi formal reception as well.