Are Seating Assignments at Wedding Receptions
Necessary?
Perhaps you think you can skip on place card or table
seating cards for your wedding or event. After all, your guests can
choose where they would like to sit, and with whom they would like to
sit with. However, most guests look for place cards or seating
arrangements - they want to know where to sit. Not using place cards,
table cards or escort cards can put undue pressure on your guests,
especially those guests who may not know other guests. In fact in a
February 2006 survey by YouGov, shows that 84% of wedding guests prefer
their host to assign them a seat or a table. Seating arrangements cards
make your guests feel like you took the time to consider where they
would be seated. Far from being pushy, they are downright polite!
Now you may have heard several terms when speaking of
seating arrangements. Place cards, table cards and escort cards often
are used interchangeably, but in fact, there are differences among the
three. If your having designated seating, you'll need all three types.
Escort Cards:
Let each guest know which table they are assigned to. These are commonly
found on a table near the entrance of your reception room. Often these
cards are tucked into a small envelope with your guests' name written on
the outside. Tent cards can also be used for this. Another alternative
is a seating chart that often is framed and displayed outside the
reception area.
Whether you prefer escort cards or a seating chart is
a matter of personal preference. Escort cards can be changed up to the
last minute, whereas a seating chart may need to be printed days or
weeks in advance.
Escort or seating charts usually display the guests'
names in alphabetical order. The most formal way to write your escort or
seating arrangements is: Mr. and Mrs. John Smith. This is the
same as how the guests were addressed on the formal invitation envelope.
The informal alternative is simply Mary and John Smith. If a
husband and wife have different names, the wife's name usually gets
listed first. If someone brings a guest, you can list both names on one
card, or use two separate cards. If you choose one card for both names,
the woman's name usually gets listed first, though many people will put
the invited guest's name first, even if it is a man.
Table Cards: A
table card is just that, a card that is prominently displayed on the
table and identifies the table, usually with a number. An alternative to
numbers is naming tables. You could name them after favorite flowers,
places, love songs, or anything that is meaningful to you.
Place Cards: A
place card is put at a specific seat; write the guest's name on both
sides of the card so everyone knows whom their tablemates are. It can be
formal such as a white or ecru card, or something festive and informal
such as a place card inserted into a decorative holder.
How to write your guests' names on place cards:
Formally, the name is written: Mr. Smith, if there are two
Mr.Smiths at the table than the first name is used, i.e. Mr.
John Smith. In an informal approach, you can use either John
Smith or simply, John. The last name would be required if
there are more than one of that name at the table.
Some popular choices to seat guests at tables are:
