Charger Plates
Gold, beaded and clear plastic charger plates in 12- and 13-inch sizes, to frame each place setting.
Price range: $34.99 through $45.99
Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product pagePrice range: $17.99 through $220.99
Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page
Filters
What is a charger plate?
A charger plate, also called a service plate or underplate, is a large decorative plate placed under the dinner plate. It adds color and structure to each place setting, protects the tablecloth from drips, and stays on the table through the first courses. It’s decor, not a dish: food always goes on a plate on top.
Can you eat off a charger plate?
No. Chargers aren’t meant to touch food, and our listings say the same. Set a dinner or salad plate on top and serve on that. In formal service the charger is removed with the main-course plate, before dessert is served.
What size charger plate do I need?
Choose a charger 2 to 3 inches wider than your dinner plate, so a border shows all around. Our 13-inch chargers suit dinner plates of 10 to 11 inches. Our 12-inch chargers suit 10-inch plates and narrow tables where space is tight.
How many charger plates do I need?
One per guest, plus a few spares in case one gets scratched or a guest is added at the last minute. A wedding of 100 guests needs about 105. Our 13-inch chargers come in packs of 12, 20 and 100.
Are charger plates dishwasher safe?
Ours aren’t: they’re hand-wash only, and they shouldn’t go in the microwave either. Wipe them with a damp cloth after the event, or hand-wash them in warm, soapy water and dry them before stacking. Cared for this way, they can be reused for many events.
What charger plates do, and how to use them
A charger plate is the large decorative plate that sits under the dinner plate. It frames each place setting, catches drips and fills the table before food arrives. You don’t eat from it: food goes on the plate on top.
Two sizes
Our chargers come in 12 and 13 inches. The 12-inch chargers are clear with a colored rim, or solid gold. The 13-inch chargers have beaded or reef-textured gold edges and come in packs of 12, 20 or 100. A standard 10 to 10.25-inch dinner plate leaves about an inch of border on a 12-inch charger and about 1.5 inches on a 13-inch one.
Setting the table
Place the charger first, centered at each seat about an inch from the table edge. Set the dinner plate on it, or the salad plate followed by the dinner plate. Forks go to the left of the charger, and the knife and spoon go to the right. Before guests sit down, a folded napkin or menu card on the charger looks finished. In formal service, the charger is cleared with the main-course plate, before dessert.
Choosing a style
Gold beaded chargers are the classic wedding choice. Clear chargers with a colored rim pick up your color scheme without hiding the tablecloth, and gold reef chargers add texture. Pair them with dinner plates in a contrasting color and gold-rim napkins. Our chargers are plastic and reusable. Wipe them or hand-wash them after the event, and keep them out of the dishwasher and microwave.