Table assignments can be one of the trickiest parts of a wedding to plan but as a guest, finding your table can be one of the most memorable elements of the day. How you show guests to their seats will be shaped by the look of your wedding, as well as how you want your guests to feel.
Making it easy for your guests to find their place naturally conveys a sense of graciousness and hospitality. The manner in which you do it will be shaped by the tone of the celebration. Whether minimalist or whimsical, playful or romantic, thoughtful table assignments are equal parts form and function.
If you’d like for your guests to find their own places at their table, set an escort card table with individual cards that show both their names and seat assignments, or display a larger seating chart that features all of the information together. (Remember that escort cards “escort” the guest to the table.)
If you’d additionally like to predetermine guests’ seat at each table, set placecards with their respective name at each place. (Placecards determine the “place” of each guest once they are at the table.) Oftentimes if there is a head table it will feature placecards, even if the remaining tables do not, in order to eliminate any awkwardness or confusion about where the couple will sit once they arrive at the table.
If you’re looking for inspiration, we’ve prepared a slideshow of 10 lovely escort card and placecard ideas you can try yourself!
You can also read more about matching your escort display and seating chart to your wedding style here.
Article by Once Wed regular contributor Caroline Boneham Roche
