Creating Wedding Name Place Cards: A Step-By-Step Guide

Wedding place cards are a great way to guide guests to their seats and ensure everyone knows where they will be served dinner. They can also help with traffic flow for buffets and keep the peace by separating any feuding family members or friends. Place cards can be made from paper (cardstock) or other materials like acrylic, chalkboard, or glass. They can be flat or tent cards and may be displayed with place card holders. You can make them yourself or order them from a vendor. If you're making them yourself, you'll need to decide on the design, what to write on them, and how to address your guests. You can use calligraphy or print out templates. If you're ordering them, you'll want to do so about a month or two before the wedding, after you've received your RSVPs and finalised your seating chart.

Choosing the material for your name place cards

Type of Material

Place cards are traditionally made from paper or cardstock, but they can also be made from other materials such as acrylic, chalkboard, glass, or even natural elements like leaves, stones, or shells. If you're having an outdoor wedding, consider using a material that won't blow away, such as a thicker cardstock or acrylic.

Design and Customization

The material you choose should also consider the design and customization options you want for your place cards. For example, if you want to include titles, meal preferences, or dietary restrictions on the place cards, you'll need to choose a material with enough space and that is easy to write on. If you're hiring a calligrapher, they may have recommendations on the best materials to use.

DIY vs. Professional Printing

If you're planning to DIY your place cards, you'll need to choose a material that is easy to work with and accessible. Paper or cardstock is a good option for DIY projects, as you can find them at most craft stores. If you're planning to hire a professional printer or calligrapher, they may have specific material requirements or suggestions based on your desired design.

Timing and Budget

The timing of your wedding and your budget will also impact the material you choose. Printed cards can be more expensive, and you'll need to factor in shipping costs and timing. DIY options may be more cost-effective, but they will require more time and resources.

Matching Your Wedding Aesthetic

Finally, consider choosing a material that matches the aesthetic of your wedding. For example, if you're having a rustic wedding, you might opt for place cards made from kraft paper or natural elements like wood slices or leaves. For a more elegant or formal wedding, consider using luxurious materials like thick cardstock, acrylic, or even pressed flowers suspended in resin.

Remember to have fun with the process and choose a material that reflects your style and wedding theme!

DIY name place card ideas

Beachside or Nautical Wedding

Channel the beach or ocean theme by sourcing seashells and using a paint pen to write each guest's name on them. This idea adds a unique and creative touch to your wedding place cards.

Romantic or Formal Wedding

For a more elegant or formal affair, consider thick, metallic cardstock. Use a paper cutter to cut the cardstock to size, and then add each guest's name with a white paint pen. This option is simple yet effective and will complement your romantic or formal wedding theme.

Vibrant Splash of Colour

Add a burst of colour to each place setting by using lemons as place card holders. Write each guest's name on a small scroll of paper and attach it to the lemon with a pin. This idea is perfect for a summer wedding or any celebration with a bright and cheerful colour palette.

Natural and Simple

For a simple and natural option, source beautiful rocks or stones to serve as the base of your place cards. Write the name of each guest on top with a paint pen. This idea is perfect for an outdoor wedding or a celebration with a nature-inspired theme.

Bread Place Cards

Add a special touch to your place settings by including a small baguette at each setting. Take it a step further by turning it into a place card. Attach a piece of cardstock with the guest's name written in calligraphy, and secure it to the mini loaf of bread with twine. This idea is perfect for a rustic or food-focused wedding.

Handwritten Notes

Personalize your place cards by adding a handwritten note. Write a message to each guest and attach it to another item, or simply leave a small card at each setting. Your guests will appreciate this thoughtful and heartfelt touch.

Garden-Inspired Place Cards

If you're planning a garden, food-focused, or harvest-inspired wedding, consider using vegetables as part of your centrepieces and place settings. Artichokes, radishes, or small carrots can serve as unique and creative place card holders thanks to their thick leaves or slices.

Dried Flowers

For a simplistic and natural look, opt for plain white cardstock tags to mark each place setting. Then, add a muted touch of colour with a tiny bundle of dried flowers. This idea is a great way to add a pop of texture and colour to your place settings while maintaining a soft and elegant aesthetic.

Autumn-Themed Wedding

Incorporate apples in multiple ways, such as using them as your place cards. Write the name of each guest on the fruit with metallic gold or silver paint pens. This idea is perfect for a fall wedding, adding a touch of seasonal charm to your place settings.

Leather Tags

If you're feeling crafty, consider creating leather tags for your guests. Customize each tag by punching the letters of their names into the leather. This idea is not only a fun DIY project but also doubles as a unique wedding favour that your guests can keep as a memento.

Pressed Flowers

Bring your love of blooms to your place cards by sourcing acrylic frames and pressing your favourite flowers within them. Then, use a paint pen to write each guest's name on the frame. This idea adds a touch of nature and elegance to your place settings.

Personalized Poems

Make your place cards extra special by personalizing each one with a poem. Choose a poem for each guest or divide up several of your favourites. Add each guest's name in a large, bold font, and print the cards on cardstock. This idea is perfect for a small and intimate wedding, adding a thoughtful and meaningful touch.

How to address guests on their name place cards

Wedding place cards are an incredibly important part of a wedding reception, serving as a way to tell guests where to sit and helping to ensure that you have the right number of seats. They can also help to facilitate traffic for buffets and separate any family or friends who need to keep their distance from each other. Place cards can also double up as wedding favours and act as a crowd control and home base for guests during the after-ceremony festivities.

For Married Couples:

When addressing married couples, their last name with "Mr. and Mr.", "Mr. and Mrs.", or "Mrs. and Mrs." preceding the surname is correct. If more than one couple shares the same last name, include the first name of the spouse whose surname they share, or include each person’s full name. You could also use each person’s full name without a title, especially for less formal celebrations. For married couples with different last names, feel free to either omit the title completely or write out each of their names in full with their respective titles.

For Unmarried Couples or Single Guests With Plus-Ones:

For unmarried couples, you’ll generally follow the same format as married couples with different last names, but instead of “Mrs.”, your female guests will be either “Miss.” or “Ms.”. While you will want to follow the above rules for your invited guests, you might be wondering how to handle their plus-one’s place cards. While you could address them as “Mr. X’s Guest”, consider asking for full names of plus-ones ahead of making your place cards, as it’s much more polite.

For Single Guests Without Plus-Ones:

The key with all of your place cards is to be consistent. If you’re titling any group, you must title them all, which is why many guests simply stick to full names when creating wedding place cards. For your friends flying solo, you can either opt for titling each guest or omitting the titles for single guests. Whatever you choose, be consistent. All single women can be addressed as “Miss.”, but especially those under the age of 13. Additionally, boys under the age of 13 can be addressed as “Master.”. That being said, even if you have titles for the rest of your guests, it’s always okay to omit titles for all children under the age of 18.

A Note About Pronouns:

Before deciding to use titles on your wedding place cards, it’s important to ensure that you’re 100% confident in all of your guests’ preferred pronouns. You could ask for them when collecting RSVPs, or have friends reach out. Regardless, if you’re unsure of anyone’s pronouns, it’s best to omit titles for all of your guests. Don’t ever assume someone’s pronouns for the sake of a title.

How to write neatly on name place cards

Writing neatly on name place cards for a wedding can be tricky, but there are a few tips and tricks to help you achieve beautiful results. Here are some detailed instructions to guide you through the process:

Planning and Preparation:

Before you start writing, it's essential to have a clear idea of what you want the place cards to look like. Decide on the format and style, including the guest's name, table number, meal preference, or any other relevant information. It's also a good idea to ask for 20% extra blank cards in case of mistakes. Scan the list of names and find the longest name to ensure that all the names will fit on the cards.

Creating a Template:

Start by lightly drawing guidelines on your card using a pencil. Write out the longest name in pencil within the guidelines and erase until you're happy with the layout. You can use your baseline and waistline as guides for the calligraphy portion. Then, go over the name with your chosen pen, such as a brush pen or a fine liner pen. Create a template by tracing the waistline, baseline, and block letters onto cardstock paper. Cut out the cardstock to match the size of the place card, and use it as a guide for consistent writing on all cards.

Maintaining Consistency:

Use the template to ensure that all the writing is the same size on each card. For the calligraphy portion, you can use a laser level to draw a straight line across the card, ensuring that your ascenders and descenders are consistent. This will help you achieve neat and uniform lettering.

Choosing the Right Materials:

Select place cards with a matte finish to avoid smearing issues. You can find blank cards at stationery stores or online. Additionally, consider the type of pen or brush you will use. Brush pens can create elegant calligraphy, while fine liner pens are great for block letters.

Practicing Your Calligraphy:

If you plan to do calligraphy, it's essential to practice beforehand. There are many online tutorials and resources available to help you improve your skills. You can also consider taking a calligraphy course to refine your technique before tackling the place cards.

Seeking Help:

If you're unsure about your handwriting or calligraphy skills, don't be afraid to ask for help. You can hire a professional calligrapher or enlist the assistance of a friend or family member with beautiful penmanship.

Remember, creating name place cards for your wedding can be a fun and creative process. Take your time, plan ahead, and don't be afraid to experiment until you achieve the desired results. Happy crafting!

Where to buy or make name place cards

If you're looking to buy name place cards for your wedding, there are several online retailers you can try. Here are some options:

• The Knot Invitations: This website has hundreds of seating card ideas, ranging from classic and elegant to fun and funky. You can also customise each card, from the font style and size to the type of paper.
• Etsy: With thousands of independent makers, Etsy offers a wide range of wedding name place card ideas, from traditional paper cards to unique options made from different materials.
• Papier: If you're after thoughtful elegance, Papier is a good choice. Their cards feature designs such as illustrated floral borders, a single rippling ribbon, or an image of sweet strawberries growing on a vine. They also arrive pre-creased.
• Minted: While Minted mostly features paper name cards, they also offer alternative options like acrylic name plates with real flower petals inside. Some designs include free name printing.
• Zola: Zola offers place card settings that are of the highest quality and come with fast shipping. They can be easily matched and incorporated with the rest of Zola's paper goods, such as menus, invitations, and thank-you notes. You can choose from five different paper types and a variety of fonts and styles.
• Paper Divas: This website offers customisable wedding place cards designed and printed in Australia. Their cards are modern and stylish, and you can match them to your other stationery, including menus, invitations, and table numbers. They offer free and speedy shipping, with orders leaving their warehouse within three working days.

If you're feeling creative and want to make your own name place cards, there are a few DIY options you can consider:

• Seashells: If you're planning a beachside or nautical-themed wedding, you can source shells from the beach and use a paint pen to write each guest's name on them.
• Metallic cardstock: Cut thick, metallic cardstock to size and use a white paint pen to add each guest's name.
• Lemons: Use lemons as place card holders and write each name on a small scroll of paper attached to the fruit with a pin.
• Rocks and stones: Source beautiful rocks and stones and write the name of each guest on top with a paint pen.
• Mini baguettes: Add a piece of cardstock with a handwritten name to a mini baguette and attach it with twine.
• Handwritten notes: Write a personalised note and attach it to another item, or simply leave a small card at each setting.
• Vegetables: For a garden, food-focused, or harvest-inspired wedding, add vegetables to your centrepieces and place settings. Artichokes, radishes, and small carrots can serve as great place card holders.
• White cardstock: For a simplistic, natural look, use plain white cardstock tags to mark each place setting. Add a muted touch of colour with a tiny bundle of dried flowers.
• Apples: For a fall wedding, use apples as your place cards. Write each guest's name on the fruit with metallic gold or silver paint pens.
• Leather tags: Punch the letters of your guests' names into leather tags, which can also double as wedding favours.
• Acrylic frames: Source acrylic frames and press your favourite flowers inside. Then, use a paint pen to write each guest's name.
• Poems: Choose a poem for each guest or divide up several of your favourites. Add each guest's name on top in a large, bold font and print the cards on cardstock.

Frequently asked questions