Type & print or hand write place cards?

I'm doing the big seating chart poster thing, because it's easier for me and I like the look. However, once I have it printed, I'm locked in.

I always thought the appeal of the place cards was that you could change them up, add/subtract up to the last minute. But....sounds like that's really not the case in your scenario.

ETA Words

We ordered cards from Minted. I was going to write them out by hand, but when it came down to it, I just couldn't be bothered.

Weird that your venue wants the place cards so early, could you really not just bring the extra cards the day-of? I assume the cards will just sit in a closet or something for two weeks, as long as they know what table people are at, it seems odd that they need the physical cards.

Yeah I like the look of the chart/ poster too, I think it's easier and less messy.

That's a good point, I should just give them the seating chart and ask if we can bring it in later. I feel like I can't be bothered writing them all either!

I ordered Avery Table Tents on Amazon and printed them from my computer. Downloaded a free fancy font and printed right at home. Had H fold, put the food selection sticker on, and organize by table while I changed the names, printed and punched out.

My venue requested place cards with entree choices on them . I think the large poster idea is challenging depending on how many guests you have because people are going to be crowded around it looking for their names instead of just grabbing something and moving on. I could also see me forgetting my table number from when I looked at a board to when I get to the reception area. Lol and maybe some older guests too!

We are typing the escort cards.

I think I'm going to hand write mine in calligraphy That way it's easier for everyone to find their names quickly since they'll be in alphabetical order than hovering around one large chart

I wrote names on each card by hand (I do brush lettering). I actually started working on filling the cards out as RSVPs came in and just left the table numbers blank until the week of the wedding to ensure there were no last minute changes to our table assignments. It made it seem like it wasn't a lot of work at the end of our RSVP period and after we tracked the non responders down to only have a few more names to write on the tented cards.

It sounds like your venue wants the cards/seating chart unusually early. I had to bring my escort cards in to our final planning meeting in alphabetical order, but that took place 3 days before our wedding day, not two weeks. I'd think you can talk to your venue about dropping them off closer to your wedding if your last 11 guests haven't gotten back to you in time for your planning meeting.

If you're concerned about not being able to order cards or a seating chart that come printed for you, it may be easier if you plan to take care of the printing yourself. You can get escort cards that you can run through your own printer. You could also get a seating chart template that you fill out the names and table numbers using your own computer and take the file in to a print shop near you. Office Max or Staples would print your sign for you same day. If you're editing the sign and printing it same day or self printing on your escort cards, it will be very easy to add a few extra right up until a few days before your wedding. This would also make it easier to make your venue's 2 week deadline if your 11 guests get back to you on Sept 20th.

I typed the names into a template (all are already typed in), now I'm editing as responses come in for not coming. Then I just have to type in the table number at the last minute.

We're doing the Etsy/Staples route as well. I almost ordered from Minted, but I didn't love any of the designs.

I got ours at Michaels. Downloaded the template and printed those puppies out. It took us about 40 mins for all of them (formatting and spelling of names).

I did some sleuthing and found the exact fonts that my invitations were printed in, so i downloaded those to use in my own printing. For escort cards, I'm using the Avery folded cards and printing on my home printer, but with the font, it all matches and is cohesive. Of course this requires some effort on your side, but it's pretty cheap and you can delete or add people as necessary.

I AM ALSO USING THE AVERY PRINT AT HOME AND THEIR TEMPLATE AS IT THE MOST COST EFFECTIVE (ABOUT $11.50 ON AMAZON FOR 148) AND CAN ADD AND DELETE AS NECESSARY BEFORE PRINTING. IM ALSO HANDWRTING THE TABLE NUMBERS INSIDE BECAUSE I KNOW THINGS WILL CHANGE. BUT HERE'S MY DILEMMA..... IF YOU GO WITH MARY AND JOHN SMITH DO YOU ALSO GO WITH MARY SMITH JOHN JONES IN TWO LINES, OR JOHN JONES MARY SMITH TWO LINES FOR PLUS ONES, UNMARRIED COUPLES? IF YOU'RE CONNECTED TO ONE NOT THE OTHER. ARE WE CONSISTENT WITH FEMALE ALWAYS FIRST, OR YOUR CONNECTION FIRST?