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Escort Cards Vs. Place Cards

 

These terms are often used interchangeably, but they actually play different roles in the wedding reception.

Escort Cards:

Escort cards are used to let the guests know where their assigned seat is.  The escort card is usually a folded tent card, lined up on a table with a few other decorative elements.  The escort card can also be found as a small white envelope with the name on the outside and the table number on the inside.  Theme weddings are notorious for spicing up the escort cards by securing the information to an element relating to their theme.  For example, I had a “go-green” themed wedding in which the bride and groom had the names and table numbers written onto small, flat, stones.  Another couple had the names printed onto flat seashells.  There are limitless options as how to present escort cards.

The cards do need to be lined up in alphabetical order to ensure the guest can find their card most easily.  You can write the guests name formally or informally (Mr. & Mrs. Smith or John & Jane), and you can give each person a separate escort card, or combine families/dates/couples.  The table name or number should be printed inside or on the back of the escort card.  It can say, “You are seated at table ____________” or just state the table number.

 

 

Place Cards:

The place cards are found at the table, at the seat assigned to that guest.  The cards are placed according to your previously planned out seating arrangement.  The best seat at round tables is the seat facing the bride and groom.  Place cards can also be written and made up in a creative manner or a simple white card.  The name must be written in the same manner as the escort cards (formal or informal) and clearly visible.  Try to keep the theme, colors, and style, consistent between the two. 

Which to use?

Escort cards are important if you have assigned tables for your guests.  If you don’t care where they sit, then you can forgo the place cards.  If you have place cards, you should have escort cards as well.

Place cards are important to use if your guests specified their dinner preference.  Place cards are often coded by color, style, or type, to let the waitstaff know which entre that guest should receive.