Place Cards Vs Escort Cards: The Difference
Your RSVPs are rolling in, you have your meal counts. Now you have to decide on what to do about the tiny card you need printed for your guests – and your wedding venue. Some call it place cards, while others call it escort cards. Either way, when creatively designed, they also serve as massive beautiful boards or wedding favors – tackling two items off your wedding “to-do” list!
First things first, what’s the difference between Place Cards and Escort Cards?
Place cards list your guest names and indicate meal choice only. They’re placed at each seat (or plate) to let guests know where they will sit. It also adds a beautiful detail layer to your tablescape design.
***If you go this route, you’ll likely need a seating chart at the entrance of your reception room to communicate to your guests what table they are assigned to***
Wedding escort cards are a great way to guide your guests to their assigned seats at the reception. Escort cards list your guest names and table number and possibly a meal option. They’re typically placed at a large table (strategically placed at the reception room entrance) that guests will visit before entering the space to determine where they will sit. There is also a larger sign to instruct guests to take their cards with them.
Four things to keep in mind when planning your escort and place cards:
Display
Design
Organization
Personalization
Depending on your venue and who you have assisting you with the Day of Coordination, there may be a few additional key logistics to factor in. I’ll break down each to assist with the most important.
Display: You can display your escort cards in various ways, such as hanging them from a board, placing them in a decorative box, or attaching them to a unique item like a seashell or a mini bottle of champagne. Place cards can have colorful meal indicators using ribbons or different color paper for each meal option.
Design: Your escort cards can match your wedding theme and colors. You can choose from a variety of designs and materials, such as paper, wood, or acrylic. You can also add decorative elements like flowers, ribbons, or calligraphy. This also plays well to the ‘Place Cards”
Organization: It’s important to keep your escort cards organized so guests can easily find their names and tables. You can arrange them alphabetically if displayed on a large table so guests can EASILY locate their name. For place cards you want to organize them by table number so your “Day of Coordinator” or the Event Captain can easily place them at each seat (place setting) for you.
Personalization: Escort and Place cards can also be a personal touch to your wedding. You can add a personal message or a small gift, like a personalized keychain or a mini photo frame, to each card.
Remember to plan ahead and order your cards in advance to ensure they are ready on time. And don’t forget to have a seating chart available for guests to reference in case they forget their table number.
Start thinking about some different ideas and options for your place cards or escort cards if you’re thinking of them, and share some of your inspiration with me on Pinterest; I’d love to see them!
about the author
Ruby Brewer-Watkins, is a Certified Wedding Planner who specializes in wedding stationery. Her guest list planning and creative process have created efficiency within her client projects, which allowed her to effectively collaborate, design and create beautiful wedding invitations and “day of” stationery for countless couples since 2015.
Hi, I’m Ruby, your creative wedding professional. FINALLY, you made it! You can catch a glimpse into a few things I love, specifically how I passionately create wedding invitations and details for the “day of” for couples. I hope that that my blog posts and articles contained within this beautiful space truly inspire you. I offer unfiltered advice and space to give yourself permission to be creative and explore options, and ideas that are available to you to celebrate life's greatest moments.
