Place Card Strategies
From the moment your guests enter your wedding venue, they’ll need direction.
For medium to large events this takes the form of either escort cards, place cards, or a seating chart.
Each of these does the job of wedding seating in slightly different ways but all have excellent potential to reflect your personal style and your wedding theme. Think of seating charts or escort cards as the Maître d' and the place cards as the “Reserved” sign for your seat.
ESCORT CARDS
Escort cards direct guests to a particular table rather than to a specific seat. They are typically arranged alphabetically on a greeting table at the entrance of the reception area.
Each card has the guest's name and the table number they are assigned to, sometimes on folded tent cards or, more formally, a personalized envelope containing the guest’s assigned table on a card.
The escort card directs each guest to their assigned table. If place cards are not being used, guests are free to choose any seat they like once there.
(Photo depicts the escort card envelope for Ms. Amy Alcott. The actual card showing her assigned “Table 10” will be inserted into the envelope once the ink is dry).
WEDDING SEATING CHARTS
A seating chart is a large display that lists guests' names along with their assigned table numbers. Like escort cards and place cards, it is placed at the entrance of the reception area where arriving guests can search for their names and table assignments.
Traditionally, names are listed by table groups but they can also be listed alphabetically with the corresponding table number. Seating charts offer a large space for artistic design, using calligraphy and scene setting to reflect your wedding theme and palette.
PLACE CARDS
A personalized place card is arranged on each individual place setting. These are used in conjunction with a seating chart or escort cards as they assign a guest to a specific seat at a table. Using place cards also requires either a seating chart or escort cards - your guests need something to direct them to their reserved seat.
They are placed at each setting at the table and only include the guest's name (since the table is already determined by the escort card or seating chart).
They add a level of formality and organization and ensure a carefully planned seating arrangement for your wedding guests.
Place cards can be as simple and elegant as a white tent card, with the guest’s name rendered in calligraphy or as elaborate as a personalized gift.
When speaking to your calligrapher or wedding planner about which option to use to seat your guests, keep in mind that a wonderful variety of inks can be customized to your wedding palette. A professional can also style a calligraphy alphabet that echoes the printing and calligraphy that your guests have seen since your Save-the-Dates.
