What Is The Difference Between Place Cards And Escort Cards?

Regardless of where you are having your wedding, your guests will need a little guidance when it comes time to find their table, sit down, and enjoy the reception. Whether you have a grand celebration with multiple round tables or several long or intimate affairs on the beach, you need some way to direct your guests to their tables and make them feel welcome.

That being said, seating charts, table numbers, place cards, and escort cards are all essential elements of your wedding stationery that help your guests in this quest, but also create a cohesive look and feel for your big day.

Stationery Essentials

• Seating Chart

  You know where you're sitting, but your guests don't. Make it easy for them to find their seats with a seating chart. It's usually set up on a large easel or wall and it is also the easiest way to make sure your guests don't end up wandering around looking for their table.

• Table numbers

  It may be a little thing, but table numbers are a great way to add some personal flair to your reception tables. They can be as simple as a handwritten number or more elaborate and creative, like a series of pictures that tell a story. If you've been invited to a wedding, you've probably seen some pretty creative table numbers.

  They are also important because they allow your guests to find their seats quickly and easily. This is especially crucial if you have assigned seating since it allows your guests to find their name tags without having to search the whole room for the table that corresponds with their last name.

What are Place Cards and Escort Cards?

For a wedding, there are two types of cards that guests can use to locate their table number: place cards and escort cards.

The difference between these two options is that a place card is placed directly at the guest's seat, while an escort card is displayed in a central location (such as by the entrance) and tells the guest which table they should go to.

If you have a seating chart, you will most likely not need escort cards.

• Place cards are used to indicate where a person is supposed to sit. They are placed on the table in front of the seat where a guest will sit. Often, place cards will have the name of the guest written on them, so that there is no confusion about who should be sitting at each numbered table and in each numbered chair.

• Escort cards are used for events that have assigned tables for groups of guests but not specific seats within those tables. In this case, each guest is given an escort card indicating which table they should go to for seating, and then they can choose their own seat at that table once they arrive.

If you want your escort cards and place cards designed to match your invitations, that’s totally what I do! I make sure everything matches so you have a beautiful and consistent look from the stationery to the seating. Please don’t hesitate to reach out – I'm happy to answer whatever questions you may have!