Does my card table and guest book go inside or out?

I went to a wedding recently where we entered through the building where the reception was located at in order to get to the ceremony. The guest book and bubbles were on a table right before you went out the doors (lobby area) to the outside ceremony location. It was a good location because you could sign it when you arrived for the ceremony or after when you enter the building for the reception. By card table I'm assuming you mean either "gift table" or "seating cards", these were located inside of the room where the reception was held (2 separate tables).

For the guest book it kind of depends how the place is set up. If guests go straight to the outdoor ceremony first I would have the guestbook outside for the ceremony and then move it indoors after the ceremony at the entrance to the reception hall.

We are in the same setup (outdoor ceremony and indoor reception- all in one location.. at least, weather permitting).. Our guest book will be inside.. along with our gift table.. If it's all at one location, guests can leave their gifts in the car for the ceremony and go get them before the reception.. that's what I've done when I've been to weddings like that!

It's not a dumb question. Are they both going to be in the same location?

Guest book should be somewhere where people can easily access it. For example, ours was by the entrance to the reception space, so everyone had to go by it when they were entering the reception.

Gift table should be where you think it's the safest. Do not put it in the busiest spot, it's easier for things to "walk away".

So think about it in terms of convenience.

We are getting married outside and then the reception is in a tent next door. Our card box table will be inside the tent and the guestbook will be right outside the tent near the entrance (so it's easily accessible during the cocktail hour too)

Also getting married outside with reception at same location but inside the Inn. Our "guest book" is a hand-drawn Amish marriage certificate that our guests will sign so we are setting that up on a decorated table inside the reception area. We're thinking we may incorporate our card box (bird cage) on the other end of that same table - if not that will be a separate small table also in the reception hall (we are expecting 25-30 guests so creating long lines and requiring lots of table space won't be an issue) Our escort card table will be just outside the entrance to the reception hall.

Really great feedback! Really glad I asked!

@ Aimee I hadnt thought of it as two separate tables but now it makes more sense thanks

@Mrs. S I never would have considered security as a factor I'm so bad about trusting everyone. It's a good tip, the more I think about it the more it makes sense. I always seem to find myself surprised by the things people will do so definitely better safe than sorry on this one. Good tip maybe between parents/immediate family table and head table? So my poppa can put the hurt on anyone who tries to steal from us? lol

@MinD that sounds awesome... somedays I wish I were only having 25 people but I have that and more in close family lol

pic 1: Reception layout idea with gifts by back door (entrance from ceremony)

pic 2: My little photoshop layout for my ceremony thinking guestbook here? it's a coffee table book so it wont blow in the wind really

That's a pretty good location, our configuration was very similar. Somebody was always at the head table, and the DJ was obviously at his table all the time.

It is sad you have to think about it, but we've heard about people crashing weddings, and cards and gifts walking away. So that's definitely better safe than sorry.

Our ceremony is outside and you have to walk through the area where the reception is at to get to it. I am putting everything inside. The gift table will be closer to either our table or the DJs, I am putting it where it's easily visible to reduce the chance of things walking off- even though I trust all my guests, you never know, and it's also at a country club so it would be other people that aren't even guests.

The guestbook will probably be on a table that you have to walk by to either get to or from the ceremony, and also close to the photobooth so people can leave their thumbprint/signature while waiting.

Well we're getting married at a gun club out in the middle of nowhere so no fear of wedding crashers lol. I want to believe that my wedding guests aren't capable of anything like that but its better if I dont give myself the opportunity to find out that anyone is. Thanks again for the advice Mrs. S I really wouldn't have thought about it... Shoot if I left it up to FH he would have just put a sign saying the truck is unlocked if you brought a gift throw out in the cab or bed and thanks for coming lol...