Every Last Detail Blog » Seating

Seating Beyond Escort Cards

Lauren — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 11:30:33 +0000

Instead of posting one single DIY project today, I decided to share this Seating Options board I created for a bride. I am a HUGE proponent of assigning table numbers to guests, because it eliminates so many possible problems that could possibly occur. However, there are so many more options to choose from for your seating other than just plain escort cards. Don’t get me wrong, escort cards are awesome, and so classy, but you can display them in SO many fun and unique ways!

Below are some examples of different ways to display your “escort cards”…and they are all very much DIY!

Row 1: Fence Post, Magnet Numbers, Genealogy Chart

Row 2: Twine, Apple Escort Cards, Buttons

Row 3: Escort Card Tree, Cloth Escort Cards, Chalkboard

Row 4: Old Door, Grass Display, Triangle Display

Row 5: Empty Window Pane, Cloth Tags

Row 6: Pinwheels, Frames, Apples

So, which one is your favorite? I’m going to be honest, I really can’t decide which one I like the most. I think the magnetic board with the actual numbers is pretty cool though!

DIY Monday: Triangle Seating Chart

Lauren — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 12:00:46 +0000

I absolutely love the many ways there are to display escort cards. I for one am a huge supporter of seating charts, and when I stumbled upon this twist on a seating chart combined with escort cards, I was in love!

Photo via Martha Stewart Weddings

Commonly a seating chart is seen as a more formal seating option, but this is a fun way to keep seating organized and get guests involved! I love these types of seating charts! Thanks to Martha Stewart Weddings and the bride, Cheree, the full set of instructions with photos and templates can be found {here}! I really wish I had a reason to make this seating chart…any takers??

DIY Monday: Fall Family Tree

Lauren — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:00:00 +0000

Since this is the last week of October, I thought I would end it with this pretty DIY project. Laurie Cinotto shared this craft with The Bride’s Cafe as an alternative to displaying family photos at a wedding. This fall family tree would make a wonderful piece of decor at a wedding, but it would also be incredibly functional as a piece of home decor!

Via The Bride’s Cafe

It could even be revamped a little bit! The possibilities go on and on-small palm branches for a beach wedding, or willow branches for a spring wedding. Add some Christmas tree branches, different colors and shapes of ornaments, candy canes, or snowflakes, and voila- you have a new holiday decoration! Full instructions and more photos are on The Bride’s Cafe.

Using something like this would also be an excellent way to do escort cards! I see escort card displays being integrated into the decor of an event more and more, and I love it! Is anyone thinking of using something like this for their wedding or event?

Reception Seating Options

Lauren — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 10:00:00 +0000

I’m very much a fan of having assigned seating at a large wedding, as I’m sure most event planners are. It curtails a great deal of confusion and awkwardness felt by the guests. I’ve been a guest at a wedding that was sans assigned seating, and I saw tables that were half full and tables that people had pulled chairs up to. It was indeed uncomfortable and a mess.
So, to prevent confusion of the masses, we have escort cards, place cards, and seating chart displays.

Escort cards are usually found in the entrance area of the reception, with the guest’s name and assigned table number (or table name). They can be displayed in a plethora of different and innovative ways.

*Via A Lucky Orchid Wedding, calligraphy by Laura Hooper

*TheKnot

*Table 6 Productions

*TheKnot

*From TheKnot

*Via Black*Eiffel

Place cards are similar to escort cards, but they are set at the precise place the guest is assigned to. These are commonly used along with escort cards or a seating chart display. When there is a meal option, place cards play a very important role in helping the servers when they serve the meals.

*Smock Paper

*Oh So Beautiful Paper

*Via Country Living

*USA Pears

The seating chart display is my personal favorite. It plays the same role as escort cards, but there is not a tangible object for guests to carry with them. The only drawback is that guests must remember what table they are seated at. It is usually the best idea to display the seating charts right outside of the entrance to where the reception seating is. This option for seating is very economical but can be beautiful as well. Personally, I had a difficult time finding a designer to make my seating chart for me, so I ended up making it on my own. However, seating chart displays are new to the wedding scene, so I hope more designers will be adding them to their repertoire!

*Via Gourmet Invitations

*Via author’s personal collection

And I must confess, this seating chart was one of my absolute favorite elements of the wedding. I actually have it hanging on the wall in our study now, despite my husband’s protests. I am in love with it.

(It actually matches perfectly with the window treatments in our study.)

For more information on seating options, Monica of The White Box of Wedding Design has a wonderful post describing all of the options in detail.

I hope these seating options were helpful! Personally, I think the most difficult part of the wedding was assigning seats, but it was also one of the most enjoyable things! Which seating option are you planning on using in your wedding?