Wedding name card holders are a great way to add a personalised touch to your big day. They can be practical and pretty, helping guests find their seats and adding an extra special detail to your tables. If you're feeling creative, you might want to make your own name card holders, and there are plenty of DIY options to choose from. From simple foldable cards to cards made from natural materials like leaves, wood, or stone, the possibilities are endless. You can even get creative with food, using fruits, vegetables, or mini baguettes as unique card holders. So, if you're looking to add a special touch to your wedding, making your own name card holders is a great way to go.
What You'll Learn
Using acrylic frames and pressed flowers
Materials Needed:
- Acrylic frames: You can find these online or at craft stores. Look for ones that are the right size for your wedding name cards and have a sophisticated, elegant look.
- Pressed flowers: Press your own flowers or purchase them. Choose flowers with a single layer of petals and flat faces, such as roses, pansies, or vincas.
- Cardstock: Choose a colour that complements your wedding theme and the pressed flowers. A sturdy cardstock will ensure that your name cards are durable and have a premium feel.
- Printer: You'll need a printer to print the names of your guests on the cardstock. Alternatively, you can write the names by hand if you prefer a more personal touch.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Press the flowers: If you're pressing your own flowers, gather flowers with similar varieties or thicknesses. Place them between two pieces of absorbent paper, such as parchment paper or blotting paper. Close the book and put a weight on top. Leave the flowers to dry for about 2-4 weeks.
- Prepare the acrylic frames: Clean the acrylic frames and remove any protective film. Ensure they are free of dust and fingerprints before assembling.
- Design the name cards: Use a program like Adobe Reader to edit a place card template. Include the names of your guests, the table number, and any other relevant information. You can also add decorative elements, such as a floral theme or a simple border. Print the name cards on the cardstock, ensuring they are the correct size to fit your acrylic frames.
- Assemble the name card holders: Cut out the printed name cards along the crop marks and fold them if necessary. Place each name card inside an acrylic frame. If your frames have a stand, adjust the stand to the desired angle.
- Embellish with pressed flowers: Adorn the acrylic frames with the pressed flowers. You can attach the flowers to the frames using a small amount of craft glue or a hot glue gun. Play around with the arrangement until you find a composition that complements the name cards and showcases the beauty of the pressed flowers.
Your wedding name card holders are now ready! This DIY project will add a special touch to your wedding decor and is a wonderful way to welcome your guests to their seats.
For an extra touch of elegance, you can add a tassel to each acrylic frame in a colour that matches your wedding theme.
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Wooden laser-cut names
After deciding on the design specifications, the names can be cut out using a laser cutter. This process ensures that each name is the perfect size and the final product is both stylish and rustic. The name cards can then be placed in the plate or dish of the table or anywhere else that suits your preference.
Wooden laser-cut name card holders are a wonderful way to add a personalised touch to your wedding reception and help your guests find their seats easily. They can also be offered as gifts to your guests, allowing them to remember your special day.
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Using mini baguettes
Materials:
- Mini baguettes: Freshly baked mini baguettes will work best for this project. You can bake them yourself or order them from a bakery.
- Name cards: Design and print the name cards with the guest names and table numbers. You can use a template or create your own design.
- Cardstock: Choose a cardstock colour that complements your wedding theme.
- Cutting tools: You will need a sharp knife or a bread knife to cut the baguettes.
- Other decorations: You may want to add some extra decorations such as ribbons, flowers, or twine to enhance the appearance.
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Mini Baguettes
- Using a sharp knife, carefully slice each mini baguette lengthwise, creating a slit in the top without cutting all the way through.
- You can also slice the baguettes at a slight angle to create a unique look.
- If desired, you can lightly toast the baguettes to make them crisp and easier to work with.
Step 2: Create the Name Cards
- Design your name cards with the guest names and table numbers. You can use a simple word processing program or a design software of your choice.
- Choose a font style and size that is legible and fits well on the cards.
- Print the name cards on cardstock. Cut them to size, ensuring they fit securely into the slit in the baguettes.
Step 3: Assemble the Card Holders
- Carefully insert the name cards into the slit of each mini baguette.
- You can secure the cards with a small amount of glue or double-sided tape if needed.
- If desired, add some extra decorations to the baguettes, such as a ribbon tied around the bread or a small flower or herb sprig placed on top.
Step 4: Place the Card Holders on the Tables
- Arrange the mini baguette name card holders on the guest tables.
- Place them at each setting, ensuring they are visible and easily accessible.
- You can also add a small sign or label to indicate that they are, in fact, name card holders, especially if they are particularly creative or unique.
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Calligraphed sea shells
You can buy sea shell place card holders online, or you could collect your own shells and make them yourself. If you're going to make them yourself, look for shells that are large enough to hold a place card, or have a flat surface that you can write on. You could also cut a small slit in the shell to hold a place card.
If you want to write directly onto the shell, you can use paint or a permanent marker. You could also use a gold or silver pen for a more elegant, luxurious look. If you're feeling creative, you can decorate the shells with glitter, small pearls, or paint.
If you're using place cards, you can write your guests' names in calligraphy to match the shells. You could also add a wax seal to the place cards for a stylish, unique finish.
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Using escort cards and a seating chart
Escort cards and a seating chart are a great way to guide your wedding guests to their seats. They can be used in conjunction with place cards, which mark each person's place setting at the table. This method of seating is especially useful if you have a large number of guests and want to avoid congestion. Here are some tips and ideas for using escort cards and a seating chart:
Escort Cards:
Escort cards are typically displayed on a table at the entrance to the dining area. They should be arranged in alphabetical order, with each guest's name and seating assignment. You can get creative with the design of your escort cards, using hand-written calligraphy, luxe paper, elegant details, accent colours, and thematic flair. You can even include small gifts or favours with the cards, such as seed packets or luggage tags. If you want to save time and money, you can opt for a simple design, such as classic folded cards.
Seating Chart:
A seating chart is usually a large sign or a group of small signs placed at the entrance to the reception. It displays all your guests' names clearly, arranged by table number. This option is cost-effective and saves time, as you don't need to design and set out individual cards. You can get creative with the materials and styling of your seating chart, using acrylic stands, wood, vintage mirrors, painting frames, or chalkboards. Add some wow-factor by including an arrangement of flowers and greenery that ties into your floral decor. You can also add a personal touch by handwriting each guest's name or including your wedding monogram, date, or a meaningful quote.
Combining Escort Cards and a Seating Chart:
Using both escort cards and a seating chart can ensure your guests find their seats smoothly and efficiently. The escort cards can be placed on a well-decorated table, creating a beautiful and practical focal point. The seating chart can be placed nearby, providing a quick reference for guests as they enter the reception space. This combination offers a seamless flow from one part of the event to the next and provides clear seating information.
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Frequently asked questions
There are no rules when it comes to the size of your wedding name card holders—it depends on your vision for your place settings. You can opt for a traditional folded card or a flat card (or another object). Classic place cards are around the size of business cards, approximately 10cm x 5cm unfolded. You may want to go bigger or smaller depending on your overall look.
If you're looking to add a personal touch to your wedding name card holders, here are some DIY ideas:
- Use seashells for a beachside or nautical-themed wedding. Source shells from the beach and write each guest's name on them with a paint pen.
- For a romantic or formal wedding, use thick, metallic cardstock cut to size with a paper cutter. Add each guest's name with a white paint pen.
- Add a splash of colour with lemons as place card holders. Write names on small scrolls of paper and attach them to the fruit with a pin.
- Opt for a natural look with beautiful rocks and stones as the base for your place cards. Write names on them with a paint pen.
- Include a small baguette at each place setting with a hand-calligraphed name card attached.
If you're looking for something a little more unique, here are some ideas to consider:
- Calligraphed leaves
- Wooden cutouts
- Fresh fruit with name tags
- Gilded figs with name tags
- Geometric tiles
- Personalised desserts or favour boxes with name tags