I am a little confused about the placecards. Would I set the placecards on a table in the lobby right before they walk into the ballroom? Do guests just find their own placecard or do I have someone there at the table handing the placecards out? Also...do I really need a placecard for EVERY person (even for couples?)....I have read in previous posts that it is necessary to provide every guest with a placecard but wouldn't that be a lot of placecards?
Thanks for your help. I haven't been to a lot of weddings that had placecards so I don't understand how to do this. Thanks for your help.
Every guest receives a placecard, regardless of whether two guests are a couple.
While the design of your actual place cards can be as simple as a pre-set design from your local office store, or as unique as specially ordering them from a stationery company, there are two common ways we usually set them up at the reception. Both suggestions below will require advance printing and creation of a wedding reception floor plan prior to the wedding day.
1. Number each table. Make sure to tell your banquet captain at your venue to mark the tables according to your layout. If the venue doesn't provide table markers, you can get them inexpensively enough from your local party store. Place cards ought reflect the name of the guest showing the corresponding table. Place cards should be set out, alphabetically, on a table in front of the wedding reception entryway. Upon arrival, each guest will look for his/her name, pick up his/her place card, and proceed to the appropriate seat.
Or,
2. Number each table. Create place cards with guests' names and the corresponding table. The place cards should be set at each setting on the actual corresponding table at the reception. Create a seating chart of all the guests, arranging the names alphabetically. Said chart should be enlarged for easy reading, with every guest's name and table number. The chart will then be positioned prominently on an easel in front of the wedding reception entryway. Upon arrival, each guest will look at the chart, find his/her name and take his/her appropriate seat.
The second option is more costly and requires more work. But, it does seem to cut down on the traffic congestion that sometimes occurs when guests are stopped at a table looking for their wedding reception place card.
Cheers! Rhonda Allen, Bridal Consultant New Beginnings Weddings
placecard question
