A budget wedding can be done with class. It's the ones that are done because some people just don't care. A wedding isn't a casual event and shouldn't treated that way. I don't have a lot of money but there's no way I'm serving people with paper plates *lol*
Class doesn't have anything to do with spending! Not sure where you're getting that idea. Perhaps many think spending and formality will imply class. My wedding wasn't cheap, but the money wasn't laid out for display, where people would speculate about the cost the whole way home. It was just nice, and fun for everyone. :~D
Brides focus on a lot of things surrounding their wedding, most of which I can assure you the guests would never notice... Including the type, color, and placement of the plates.
This is just advice, from just one person who has done what you are planning now, and made these decisions. It's really easy to get really wrapped up in the ~things~ of weddings, and most of it doesn't matter.
A church hall or Knights of Columbus club, or wherever people have receptions in your area, will have plates and forks! (If you ask some of the guests to stay after the reception and wash up, make sure you leave plenty of champagne in the refrigerator!)
The best wedding reception I was ever at was done by the family. It was outside and Cajun. Some of the worst were done by uber professional wedding planners. If you get the food and drink and order of things correct everything takes care of itself. (After you lose your mind the last month before the wedding. My wife was certifiable) Ignore the little distractions and don't let anything short of the groom not showing up bother you. Even if you brother in law tries to destroy the wedding cake before it is cut.