Tips and Advice: place cards

The tradition of utilizing place cards to mark each guest's seat at a table is a very formal and elegant one, and lends a sense of sophistication to any wedding. They can be beautifully printed, propped up on pretty stands, or embellished with tiny accents to tie into a theme for extra special touches. I especially love the ones done by hand in calligraphy.

Photo by Absolutely Loved

However, many couples doubt, particularly when guest counts creep up to larger numbers, whether it is even necessary to prepare place cards, which designate a specific seat for someone, at an event. Identifying a particular seat for each guest can be cumbersome, tricky, and "political," as it then becomes important to take into consideration whether to seat one guest next to another. Is it necessary? In short, the answer is "no."

Photo by Kris Labang Photography

A word of advice I always give to couples is to consider place cards for the parent table(s). Often times, guests eager to congratulate the parents, pull moms and dads in many directions and thus, parents frequently find themselves the last to take their seats at their table. This usually leaves parents with the worst seats at the table - with their backs toward the bride and groom! Setting place cards in advance for the parents at their table will ensure them a place of honor and a wonderful view of the stars of the show, the bride and groom.

Photo by Eugene Kam Photography