DC Wedding Planning - Place Card Etiquette

For couples who have never planned a wedding before, many of the questions they have concern items of etiquette. Wedding Place Cards are an item that you may be asking yourself, is this really necessary? Is this an area where we can save a few dollars on our budget that we can then allocate toward something else like spotlighting our wedding cake?

As an award-winning Washington DC DJ Service serving Frederick MD | Washington DC | Northern VA, our passion is helping couples have the best experience possible and to be an asset in all facets of wedding planning. 

This article is one in a series of articles intended to help not only the wedding couples we serve from Washington DC to Lancaster PA; but to help anyone who is planning their dream wedding.

So, let’s take a closer look at wedding place card etiquette and determine if it is worth the investment.

Are place cards a must?

If you have read any of my previous articles covering the Top 50 Wedding Planning Questions you know by now that I am an advocate of making informed decisions. To make the decision that is right for you I think we need to delve a bit deeper into the dynamics of a wedding reception.

Why have a formal seating plan?

If you've ever been to a wedding without a seating plan before and survived the bottleneck after they've been through the buffet line trying to figure out where to sit, then you know why having a seating plan is a great idea.

You may feel like creating a formal seating plan is not necessary. After all, your guests are intuitive enough to figure out where to sit. If you provide enough seats, can't everyone just figure it out on their own?

Yes, they can... eventually!

Taking the time to map a seating plan will reduce your guests' anxiety about trying to find a seat. Your guests will appreciate avoiding the awkward feeling of wondering “Is this a family table?”, or “There are four of us and we can’t find more than three seats together anywhere.”

Having a formal seating plan not only eliminates these awkward moments, but it also speeds up the meal process allowing more time for fun things like dancing!

Is a formal seating plan necessary for all weddings?

If you're having fewer than 50 guests, you may not need a detailed plan if you don't want one. You could also choose to designate the head tables (including you two, your wedding party, and parents) with place cards, and allow the other guests to seat themselves.

Some couples opt for a cocktail party style wedding with only a few tables, so guests can alternate sitting and eating. If this is what you plan to do, make sure your elderly guests have a place to sit down, possibly even by designating a separate table for them.

Place Cards, Escort Cards, or a Seating Chart?

Once you have figured out where to seat everyone, how do you lead your guests to their seats?

A.     Place Cards

Place cards await guests at each table, designating their seats. They can be anything from a simple tented card to a fancy tree leaf with gold calligraphy. The choices are limited only by your budget and the value you place on having them.

B.      Escort Cards

These cards are displayed near the entrance of the reception in alphabetical order.  They usually include each guest's name and table number. Once at the table, guests usually select their own seats, but these can be used along with place cards as well to designate seats.

C.      The Seating Chart

The seating chart is usually displayed alphabetically or by the table in a pretty frame near the entrance of the reception. A seating chart lists your guests' names with their designated table numbers. Additionally, place cards may be used at each table to designate assigned seats, if you wish.

How to Create A Seating Plan

Before creating your seating plan, it's a good idea to have several copies of the wedding venue floor. This will allow you to experiment with various seating arrangements before making your final decision. When in doubt, trust your instincts.

No matter how perfect your final seating plan seems, you'll undoubtedly receive at least one last-minute phone call begging you to change something to make a guest happy. Try to be accommodating, but don't let it stress you out. Chances are, after dinner, everyone will get up and mingle anyway.

Conclusion

As with most wedding decisions, it really is up to you whether you use place cards to designate specific seats. We always recommend having a seating chart for the convenience of your guests. They don't want to make any mistakes and sit at a table only to move because it was a table for “VIP’s”. Your wedding guests appreciate knowing that you thought of them and where to seat them so that they would be most comfortable celebrating with you.

Have a comment or a cool idea you’ve found for a seating chart? Please share!