Will you have a seating chart AND table place cards?

How else will the guests know where to sit? Is there another way? (not trying to be funny).

We opted to only do escort cards. While I wanted the organization of assigning tables to our guests, I figured that adults are capable of choosing their own seats at a table. Unless it is required by a venue for the catering aspect and meal choices, I think place cards are unnecessary.

We are also only doing escort cards. MrsO nailed it.

We are having table numbers, but figure people should be able to determine where they want to sit??

Making table cards for the parents table so they get the best seats. Just curious if people tend to do both?

Stephanie, I believe Stacey is referring to a seating chart as in a large chart/board with all the guests' names and table assignments (an alternative to individual escort cards), and then place cards at the table seats in addition.

Ah - serious question here - what is the difference between an escort card and a place card?

Yes and yes! I want to make a sheet with everyone's name on it and table #. If someone doesn't see their name on the list then they weren't included in the final count.

Future MrsP, escort cards are the cards that are near the entrance of the reception and tell the guests their table assignment.

Place cards are cards that are at individual seats indicating which seat has been assigned to the guest.

Most people only use escort cards (or large master chart/board/list) and not place cards as well.

I gotcha now - thanks Mrs. O - wasn't sure on that!

We're doing escort cards (we'd do a seating chart but for the numbers, it would be a bit of a waste) as well as place cards (too many folk with allergies, we want the staff to know EXACTLY who gets what to avoid any trips to A&E)

I think place cards to let them know what table they are sitting at is definitely necessary, but to tell them which seat they need to sit at, I do not think is needed!

I'm not doing either. I was going to do assigned tables, but 3 of the 5 people I talked to said that seems really controlling. It just isn't done around here very often at all.

Yes to seating chart, and on the table we are putting a frame with our picture and table number.

I'm just doing a seating chart..

I originally planned on doing just escort cards -- it seemed simpler and cheaper.

However, we decided to go with place cards and a display chart instead. The main reason is that we asked guests if they wanted champagne or non-alcoholic sparkling cider to toast with at the reception.

We needed to know in advance a) how much cider to buy, and b) who wanted cider and where to put it. Since the venue presets the toast beverages before the guests take their seats, place cards are necessary.

This was really important to me, since I have many friends and family members who don't drink, either for personal taste or because they're committed to being sober. The caterer had offered to pour champagne for all guests even if they're not drinking, but that's a waste of money and champagne, AND it's awkward (and bad luck!) to raise a toast and not drink it.

Non-alcohol drinkers deserve to toast, so it's worth it to me to put in the extra work for place cards.