
Wedding place cards are an important part of a wedding reception, serving both decorative and organisational purposes. They help guests find their seats easily, remove any confusion, and ensure your guest list is fully accounted for. While some couples opt for printed place cards, others choose to handwrite them. This could be done by the couple themselves or by hiring a professional calligrapher. Ultimately, what you write on your wedding place cards and whether you choose to handwrite them or not is entirely up to you.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Help guests find their seats, remove confusion, ensure the guest list is fully accounted for, act as crowd control, and serve as a home base for guests |
| Content | What you write is up to you, but typically includes guests' names and table numbers |
| Creation | Handwritten, printed at home, or professionally printed |
| Timing | Due at the venue 3 days to 2 weeks before the wedding |
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What You'll Learn
- Place cards can be handwritten, printed at home, or ordered from a printing company
- Handwriting your place cards can be more cost-effective but may look cheap
- Place cards are useful for crowd control and ensuring your guest list is fully accounted for
- Place cards are usually placed on the table in front of each place setting
- Escort cards are different from place cards as they direct guests to tables, not seats

Place cards can be handwritten, printed at home, or ordered from a printing company
Place cards are an incredibly important part of a wedding reception, serving both decorative and organisational purposes. They help to guide guests to their intended seats, ensure your guest list is fully accounted for, and can even help to facilitate traffic for buffets.
If you don't want to handwrite your place cards, you could print them at home. You can buy blank place cards from Amazon and print them using your home printer. You can download a free fancy font or purchase a template from Etsy to make your place cards look professional.
If you don't have access to a printer, or you would prefer a more professional finish, you could order your place cards from a printing company. Companies such as Minted and Avery offer place card printing services. You can also order cards to display wedding table numbers or names.
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$6.95

Handwriting your place cards can be more cost-effective but may look cheap
Handwriting your wedding place cards can be a great way to save money, especially if you have nice handwriting or are good at calligraphy. It can add a personal touch to your wedding decor and is a good option if you're running short on time. However, it may look cheap, especially if your handwriting is messy or inconsistent.
If you're considering handwriting your place cards, it's important to weigh the pros and cons. On the one hand, it can be a cost-effective option, as you won't have to pay for printing or hire a calligrapher. It can also be a fun project to do yourself or with your wedding party. Additionally, if you're waiting on last-minute RSVPs, handwriting your place cards can give you the flexibility to make changes up until the last minute.
On the other hand, handwriting your place cards may look cheap, especially if your handwriting is not neat or consistent. If you're concerned about the aesthetic of your wedding decor, this may be a significant factor. Additionally, handwriting place cards can be time-consuming, especially if you have a large guest list.
To ensure your handwritten place cards look their best, consider the following tips: brush up on your calligraphy skills, order extra place cards to test out different inks and writing styles, and start filling out the cards as RSVPs come in, leaving table numbers blank until the week of the wedding.
Ultimately, the decision to handwrite your place cards depends on your personal preferences, budget, and time constraints. If you're crafty and enjoy DIY projects, handwriting your place cards can be a fun and cost-effective option. However, if you're concerned about them looking cheap or you don't have the time or patience, it may be better to opt for printing or hiring a calligrapher.
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Place cards are useful for crowd control and ensuring your guest list is fully accounted for
Place cards are an incredibly important part of a wedding reception, serving both decorative and organisational purposes. They are useful for crowd control and ensuring your guest list is fully accounted for.
Place cards are traditionally a piece of stationery placed at each reception seat, with the guest's name and table number. They help guests find their assigned seats easily and remove any confusion at the reception. This also means that nobody can add a last-minute request for a plus-one.
You can choose to handwrite your place cards or have them printed. Some people prefer handwritten place cards as they seem more personal. You could even try your hand at calligraphy. However, if you are worried about your handwriting, you could always print them at home or use a local printing company.
If you are handwriting your place cards, it is a good idea to start filling them out as RSVPs come in, leaving the table numbers blank until the week of the wedding. This ensures there are no last-minute changes to seating arrangements.
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Place cards are usually placed on the table in front of each place setting
Place cards are an important part of a wedding reception, serving both decorative and organisational purposes. They can also act as crowd control and a home base for guests during the festivities. Typically, there is one place card at each reception seat, with the guest's name written on it, so that guests can easily find their assigned seat.
You can choose to handwrite your place cards, print them, or have them printed professionally. Many people have handwritten place cards at their weddings, and some people prefer the personal touch this adds. If you are worried about your handwriting, you could try calligraphy, or print the place cards at home or at a friend's house. You could also use a template from Etsy and have them printed at a local printing company. If you are happy with your handwriting, be sure to order extra place cards to test out different inks and writing styles.
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Escort cards are different from place cards as they direct guests to tables, not seats
Wedding place cards are an important part of the decor and can be a fun and creative way to set the tone for the reception. They are usually placed on reception tables to let guests know where they are sitting.
Place cards can be handwritten or printed, with some couples choosing to brush up on their calligraphy skills to create elegant, handwritten place cards. Others may choose to print them at home or use a local printing company. Handwritten place cards can add a personal touch, but couples with larger weddings may prefer the uniformity of printed cards.
Escort cards are different from place cards as they direct guests to tables, not individual seats. They are usually displayed on a table at the entrance to the reception, allowing guests to find their assigned table. Escort cards can be a fun and creative way to welcome guests and speed up the seating process. Couples may choose to decorate the escort card table with flowers or lighting and present the cards in a unique way, such as with hanging installations.
It is recommended to sort escort cards alphabetically to make it easier for guests to find their names. Couples may also choose to have one escort card per couple or family, rather than per guest, to reduce waste. Escort cards are typically brought to the final planning meeting, usually held a few days before the wedding.
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Frequently asked questions
Wedding place cards are an important part of a wedding reception for organisational and decorative purposes. Although they are not necessary, they can help your guests find their seats easily and remove any confusion. Handwritten place cards are a good idea if you have neat handwriting or are confident in your calligraphy skills. If not, you may want to consider printing them at home or at a local printing company.
If you don't want to handwrite your place cards, you can have them printed by a professional company or print them at home. Alternatively, you can have a seating chart or a large sign with seating assignments placed by the entrance to the dining area.
You can start filling out your place cards as the RSVPs come in, leaving the table numbers blank until the week of the wedding to account for any last-minute changes.











































