Wedding Signs: Are They Necessary?

So for signs- I think our wedding will have few and far between haha Our guest "book" will be a wooden bench made by FIL that we will brand with FH's brand he is registering. I will get a few family members to sign ahead so people notice it and we will just make an announcement! We aren't doing a memorial area (I am wayyy too emotional to see loved ones who are missing). I am basically hoping that my immediate family will have a few things set up so others can follow and we can make some announcements throughout the night. If not, it will be a scavenger hunt for gifts and cards haha.

Edit: we are "branding" our bench in front of everyone as a unity ceremony, so I think everyone will know that they should sign it after that!!

Signs like cards/gifts, I personally think they're useful. As a guest, I'm often not sure where to place these items, and you probably don't want guests leaving them in multiple places. The memorial table, I think a sign probably isn't necessary. I think the pictures of people will indicate what the table is for. Favors, you could probably place the favors alongside escort cards (if you have them), and eliminate the sign. The guest book sign, I'm on the fence about. I bought one, but only because we're doing a photo guest book, and the sign has instructions on it for how to use the instant cameras. Otherwise, I would probably skip the sign if it's a normal guest book.

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We'll most likely be doing a wooden 'guest book' as well, or a polaroid guest book! I feel like once people see it with signatures on it, they'll realize what it's for, and with the polaroid, they'll see the camera by the book lol

I don't want to add pictures at our memorial table just because we have family that are very emotional lol. So I'm planning on just doing a simple candle lit on it's own!

We skipped all signage except for a "gifts" sign. I also don't think welcome signs are necessary. When have you ever walked into a wedding and weren't sure it was the right one? I can honestly say that has never been a thought for me. We also skipped the guestbook, favors, and memorial table. Not gonna lie, as a guest, I don't think I've ever actually signed a guest book.

People have been over doing signs, especially those carried by picketing children. Restrooms, favors clearly marked so people don't news. Save more on favors, do not buy them. A waste. Don't buy robes or shirts or any matching jewelry, mugs, candles or other things people immediately throw out. No names on anything, especially the person's own.

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Thanks for your input Lisa! If you were a guest and the first tables you see when you walk in had a box for cards and a spot for gifts, would you know to place them there, or do you still feel like you would be wondering where to put them?

That's a great idea about instructions for a photo guest book. We're thinking of having that along with a wooden sign, and instructions would be useful!

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That is such a good idea about the candle! Most of my family and friends have enough sense to know if they see signatures- sign it (and the ones that don't are reminded by others lol )

I had them at mine but i definitely felt like not everyone even paid attention to them

Signs really help to distinguish where things are and provides permission to leave or take something from there. So, if you have a favor table you can say on a sign to take one and how bride and groom both thank you all for coming, etc. It lets your guests know that they can take one without having to ask or make sure to grab one before they leave. It also reassures them that you appreciate them for coming to celebrate your special day.

And just like what Lisa said, have a table with a sign for gifts and cards. I took get confused as to where to place them. I always end up having to hand it to the bride and groom myself, but because they are all over the place I get nervous that they may lose it.

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Thanks for the input Hannah! I get what you mean about the welcome sign, but ours will end up hanging on our wall since it will be acrylic! Favors will be placed by the bar since they're drink koozies, so we'll have the bartender let our guests know to take one.

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On the guest book: have your DJ or officiant remind guests where to find it and sign.

This is true even if you have a sign. A lot of people need the verbal instructions.

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Thanks for the feedback Judith. We def. won't be having restroom signs since they're already clearly marked at the venue...we will be having favors because we know our guests and that they'll use the drink koozies often, so we don't see it as a waste.

As for the rest of your feedback, not quite sure what it had to do with wedding signs, but again, thanks for your opinion. We aren't going to be giving out robes, shirts, mugs, or anything of that nature.

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Thanks Melle! I just feel like if you walk directly past all of these tables at the entrance and see what's on them, you should be able to tell what's going on.

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Thanks for your input Heather! We'll have our favors (koozies) by the bar, so we figured our bartenders can fix their drinks and hand them one!

I also asked Lisa this, but would you still be confused where to put them if the table was right at the entrance door? We'd have a box for cards and a prop gift bag set up on the table!

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Thanks! DJ announcement is a good idea!

View Quoted Comment If there were other cards/gifts from other guests already placed on the table, I would definitely know where to set mine. Or, if the box was marked to say "cards" (such as the ones below), I would also know, lol. But if it was an unmarked box and no one else had placed anything on/in it yet, I would probably be a little unsure and wait to see what other people do (but I typically overthink things). Even if you don't have a sign, I'm sure most, if not all, guests will figure it out without issue.

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Thank you!! Our box doesn't have 'cards' on it, but I was planning on placing some prop ones in their so the first few guests can tell what it's for, and also do the same with prop gift bags!

Your feedback was very helpful!

I feel like signs have gotten WAY out of hand.

I really felt this way after meeting a good friend - I was not present for her wedding, but she has a mirror that she had some love quote on that has since been washed off and she is now trying to find somewhere to put it in her house. This is just silly to me. Why buy a big mirror to write a quote on that you are just going to wash off and then feel obligated to find a place for because you spent money on it and it was from your wedding?

Gift signs may be helpful, but I still feel like most people are best guided by humans. Venue staff and escorts can tell people, "the gift table is located ________." That was what was done at my wedding and no one had any problems.

Unless you are having the wedding somewhere that multiple functions are going on, welcome signs are pointless. And when I worked front desk of a hotel, even when people had welcome signs, guests ignored them and walked straight to me to ask where to go.

Likewise with guestbook signs. The officiant or DJ should announce to guests where the book is. If guests have to hunt for a sign, it's already going to be something they won't bother with.

I honestly think that 99% of signs are an unnecessary expense. People will almost certainly ask someone where the gift table is before they even bother looking around for it, same with pretty much everything else.

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I think adding the prop cards is a great idea! Especially if they're visible to guests. That will definitely indicate what the box is for. I think with that, and as long as the table isn't hidden in a corner somewhere that's easy to miss, you should be totally fine if you decide to skip the signs for that table!

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Thanks for the feedback Eniale! You've made great points!