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Lynnie
WeddingWire Administrator October 2016

Place cards, escort cards, or seating chart?

Lynnie, on April 17, 2018 at 3:05 PM

Posted in Style and Décor 26

How will your guests know where to sit at the reception? Did you decide to go with place cards, escort cards, or a seating chart? While they can all sound interchangeable - they're actually different! Place cards are set up at the guest's individual seat, and let your guests know which specific...

How will your guests know where to sit at the reception? Did you decide to go with place cards, escort cards, or a seating chart?

While they can all sound interchangeable - they're actually different!

Place cards are set up at the guest's individual seat, and let your guests know which specific seating assignment they have at that reception table. If you decide to go with place cards, you might also want to provide escort cards or a seating chart to let your guests know which table they're seated at before they find their specific seat. Place cards can also be really helpful if your venue needs to know who is eating which entree!

Escort cards tell your guests their reception table assignment! They are typically set up at cocktail hour or on the way into your reception, and guests can grab their card and take it with them.

Seating charts do the same job as escort cards and inform your guests of their table assignment!

And to make things a little more confusing...none of these options have to be physical cards! You can use favors to do double-duty, or get creative!

Which option are you going with?


Place cards:cfb_933566.jpg

Photo from Firefly Events in Brentwood, TN

Escort cards:cfb_933570.jpg

Photo by Amanda Watson Photography in Oklahoma City

Seating chart:cfb_933576.jpg

Photo by Rachel Jane Photo in Costa Mesa, CA


For more advice and seating inspiration, check out: Escort Cards vs. Place Cards , 13 Creative Wedding Place Card Ideas , 26 Amazing Escort Card Displays , and How to Create Your Wedding Seating Chart .

26 Comments

  • Lynnie
    WeddingWire Administrator October 2016
    Lynnie ·
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    That's really fun! I love when you can do double-duty on the favors!

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  • Lynnie
    WeddingWire Administrator October 2016
    Lynnie ·
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    Yes absolutely! If you don't want to assign specific seats you can just stick with escort cards, but you can also do both! I had a seating chart so guests could find their table then place cards at each seat!

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  • J
    January 2020
    Joseph ·
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    What is the easiest way to set up and align the escort cards?


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  • A
    Dedicated May 2020
    Abigail ·
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    OMG this makes my Christmas heart SOOO happy! What a beautiful idea!

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  • earias
    Champion December 2017
    earias ·
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    Thank you!

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  • J
    Master 0000
    Judith ·
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    We had place card holders at every place. We assigned people just to tables, a chart, with place cards so people could take it to their place and put it in the holder in front of their seats . For meals we had a limited menu, 10 meals to chose from, plus some prearranged specials . Since ceremony and reception meal were in the same place, people stopped at a table in the common entryway to order their meal, either before the ceremony, or immediately after on the way in to cocktails. So Inn waitstaff out colored foil strips along the top edge if place cards then, and master list went to the kitchen sorted by table, so waitstaff could put all meals for one table on a tray it 2 shelf cart to serve everyone at a table all at once. Only beverages orders needed to be taken, or requests for extra portions, and later desserts.
    I was happy not to do the meal choice thing when doing RSVP process, though we did send menus and the offer to do soeciacal diets if they called ahead. I have done other wedding's RSVPs and cards, for family, and found coding the meals and such a PITA, so I was happy to leave it to the Inn staff.
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