Crafting Tent Cards For Your Wedding: A Step-By-Step Guide

Tent cards are a great way to add a personal touch to your wedding. They can be used to designate seats, guide guests to their tables, and even provide a keepsake for your guests to remember your special day. In this guide, we will discuss the different types of tent cards, design ideas, and provide a step-by-step process to make your own tent cards for your wedding. Whether you're looking for a classic, whimsical, or modern look, we'll help you create the perfect tent cards for your big day.

Choosing a template and customising your design

There are plenty of free templates available online, including from Avery, which offers a range of templates for different types of place cards. You can also upload your own design. Etsy is another great source of templates, with several available for under $10. If you're using Microsoft Word, you can download a blank note card template and design your tent cards from there.

When designing your tent cards, consider your wedding's overall tone. For a rustic vibe, go with natural colours and elements. For a more elegant affair, opt for embossed paper and intricate designs. Handwritten calligraphy adds a charming, personalised feel, but if you're not confident in your penmanship, printed fonts or stamps can also look polished. Ensure your font size is readable and choose colours that contrast well with the background.

Printing your own tent cards

Step 1: Choose a Template

First, you'll need to select a template for your tent cards. You can find free templates online, or purchase pre-perforated tent cards with downloadable templates from brands like Avery. These templates will provide you with the correct card dimensions and layout for printing.

Step 2: Design Your Tent Cards

Customise your tent cards to match your wedding theme and colours. You can use Microsoft Word or other design software to add text, graphics, and even your wedding logo. Decide on the information you want to include, such as guests' names, table numbers, and meal choices. You can also get creative with fonts, colours, and images to make your tent cards unique.

Step 3: Paper Selection

Choose a high-quality cardstock for your tent cards. Select a weight that is compatible with your printer, as some home printers may not handle very thick cardstock. You can find cardstock in a variety of colours and textures to match your wedding theme.

Step 4: Printing

Before printing on your cardstock, it's a good idea to do a few test prints on regular paper to ensure that your layout is correct and text is aligned properly. Make any necessary adjustments to your design or printer settings before printing on the final cardstock.

Step 5: Final Touches

Once your tent cards are printed, you can add any additional decorations, such as stamps, stickers, or ribbons. You can also use place card holders to display them at each table setting.

By following these steps, you'll be able to create beautiful and personalised tent cards for your wedding. It's a fun and creative way to add your own style to your wedding décor while also providing practical guidance for your guests.

Using a printing service

If you want to outsource the work and save yourself some time, you can use a printing service to create your tent cards. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do this:

Step 1: Choose a Printing Service

There are several printing services available, such as Minted, VistaPrint, Avery WePrint, Paper Direct, and FedEx. Compare prices and services offered by each company to find the best fit for your needs and budget.

Step 2: Design Your Tent Cards

Most printing services offer customizable templates that you can use to design your tent cards. You can upload your guest list and add names to the cards. You may also have the option to upload your own design or work with a designer to create something unique. Consider the paper type and finish, as well as any additional features like foil or clear labels.

Step 3: Place Your Order

Once you've finalized your design, it's time to place your order. Double-check your guest list to ensure all names are spelled correctly and that you have the correct number of cards needed. Review the printing service's shipping methods and delivery times to ensure your order will arrive on time.

Step 4: Assembly (If Required)

Depending on the printing service you choose, you may need to assemble the tent cards upon receipt. Some companies will send you the printed cards, which you can then fold into the tent shape. Others may offer pre-perforated cards that are easier to assemble. If you've ordered any additional items, such as place card holders, don't forget to include those in your assembly process.

Handwriting vs printing

There are several options available for creating tent cards for a wedding. You can print them at home, use a printing service, or handwrite them. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages, which should be considered when deciding which method to choose.

Printing at home offers a high level of customisation and flexibility. You can easily make last-minute changes and print as many or as few cards as needed. However, it can be tricky to get the formatting and paper settings right, and most home printers cannot handle paper thicker than standard copy paper.

Using a printing service is a good option if you want to ensure uniformity and professionalism in your tent cards. Services like Minted, Vistaprint, and Paper Direct offer printable tent cards with custom designs and guest names. This option may be more expensive, but it saves you the time and effort of printing and formatting the cards yourself.

Handwriting your tent cards adds a personal and elegant touch to your wedding. If you have beautiful handwriting or are hiring a calligrapher, this option can create truly outstanding place cards. However, handwriting each card can be time-consuming and tiring, especially if you have a large number of guests.

To make the process easier, consider using pre-perforated tent cards, which can be purchased from brands like Avery and JoAnn's. These cards come with downloadable templates that you can customise and print at home or through a printing service. Alternatively, you can use clear labels with printed names, which can be stuck onto blank tent cards.

When deciding between handwriting and printing, consider your budget, time constraints, and desired level of customisation. Printing offers uniformity and convenience, while handwriting adds a unique and personal touch to your wedding tent cards.

Basic place card etiquette

Place cards are a great way to guide guests to their seats and ensure that tablemates can remember each other's names. Here are some basic etiquette tips to keep in mind when creating place cards for your wedding:

What to Include

In addition to the guest's name, it is important to include their table assignment. If you are offering a choice of meals, it is also necessary to indicate the guest's meal choice to the catering team. This can be done through colour-coding or using symbols or stickers.

How to Address Guests

When addressing guests, always use their full first name. For example, if your guest goes by a nickname, use their full name on the place card. Be consistent with titles across all cards. If you use a title for one guest, such as "Dr.", be sure to use titles for all guests. Titles are not necessary for children under 18.

You can address place cards to each individual guest or to couples or families. If you choose to address them to couples or families, be consistent throughout. For example, use "Mr. and Mrs. Robert Smith" or "Robert and Samantha Smith" for all guests.

Legibility

Ensure that the place cards are legible, with clear and large writing. Reception rooms are often dimly lit, so it is important that guests can easily read their place cards.

Display

Place cards should be displayed alphabetically by the last name of the guest. If you are using a seating chart, it should also be organised alphabetically.

Design

Consider the setting of your event when designing your place cards. For example, if your reception is outdoors, avoid using lightweight paper cards that could blow away. Incorporate your wedding colours or use non-traditional materials such as wood, flowers, or calligraphy on ribbon for a unique look.

Master List

Create a master list of each guest, their seating assignment, and their meal choice (if applicable). Provide this list to your wedding planner and catering team to ensure everyone is on the same page.

Remember, place cards are not mandatory, but they can be a helpful way to guide your guests and ensure a smooth seating process at your wedding.

Frequently asked questions