Deborah Chan
Wedding welcome tables are a great way to greet guests as they arrive at the venue and guide them to their seats. They can also be used to collect cards and gifts, and even include a guest book. Couples can decorate their welcome tables with flowers, candles, seating charts, card boxes, and signs to match the theme of their wedding. Welcome tables can be simple or creative, with unique furniture and decor, and are usually placed in a visible location at the reception venue.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tablecloth | White satin |
| Flowers/plants | Cherry blossom, eucalyptus, potted plants, dream-like watercolor florals, organic floral arrangements |
| Card box | Wooden, sleek acrylic, modern acrylic, rose gold, vintage workbench, silk or satin ribbon |
| Guest book | Canvas, photo, Polaroid, quilt, ukelele |
| Seating chart | |
| Favors | Honeymoon fund jar, wedding favors |
| Signage | Welcome, seating chart, gifts and cards, party favors, bubble exits, bar menu, specialty drink, Unplugged Wedding, memorial |
| Decorations | Candles, candle holders, taper candles, glass hurricane tubes, flowers, pictures of the couple's parents' and grandparents' weddings, escort cards, framed photos, seating chart, flowers, wedding favors, candles, chalkboard easel, woven lanterns |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Flowers, candles, and other decor
Flowers, candles, and other décor are essential elements of a wedding welcome table. Flowers can be used to create a simple yet chic look. For instance, a cherry blossom vase can be placed on each side of the table, with a few flowers in a dream-like watercolour arrangement, or a single flower on a seat can serve as a memorial. Extra eucalyptus or greenery can also be added to the welcome table to elevate the décor.
Candles can be used to bring a homely and welcoming vibe to the wedding gift table. Votive candles can be used to prevent the flame from getting blown out, and glass hurricane tubes can be added to candlesticks and taper candles for the same purpose. Candles can also be used to commemorate a loved one who has passed away.
Welcome tables can be decorated with signs to welcome or greet guests as they arrive. Acrylic signs are a great way to stay on-trend and inform guests about where to place their cards and gifts. Chalkboard easels, seating charts, escort cards, and other signage can also be used to add character to the reception space.
Other décor items that can be included on the welcome table are card boxes, guest books, seating charts, and framed photos. A unique accent table with a linen runner can be used to create a focal point, and luxe velvet fabric can be added for a stylish touch, especially for a fall or winter wedding.
Wedding Signage: Choosing the Perfect Font
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Cards, gifts, and card boxes
The gift table is a functional element of your wedding day, but it can also add character to your reception space. You can repurpose unique furniture, such as a vintage workbench, or opt for a simple setup with a sleek acrylic card box and flowers. The card box itself can be a statement piece, with many couples choosing to DIY their own or buy a unique design, such as a vintage suitcase, a mailbox, or a rustic crate. You can also add decorations like flowers, signs, or photos to your gift table.
The card box is often the centerpiece of the gift table and can be placed near the entrance at the wedding ceremony, so guests don't have to hold onto cards during the vows. It should be displayed in a highly visible location, ideally somewhere all guests will pass by, such as near the bar or dessert table. You can also place it near the guest book or escort cards so guests can easily find it.
To prevent wedding gift theft or tampering, consider designating a trusted person to keep an eye on the gift table throughout the wedding. Choosing a box with a lock is also a good idea, and you can ask someone to collect the card box at the end of the reception and keep the gifts safe until you can pick them up.
Some couples also choose to leave thank-you cards or envelopes for guests to write their names and addresses on before placing them in the card box. This ensures that guests' personal information is not left out in the open and can help with sending thank-you notes after the wedding.
Macy's Newlywed Offer: Extra Discounts for Your Special Day
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Guest books
The guest book is a staple at almost every wedding, but it can be hard to get your guests to notice and sign it. Here are some ideas to make your guest book stand out:
Location
Place your guest book on a table at or near the entrance to your reception. This way, it will be hard for guests to miss and they can sign it as they enter or leave. You could also put it near the entrance to your ceremony for early arrivals to sign as they wait. Alternatively, place it near the table with the table assignments, or on the card or gift table. If you're having a cocktail hour, put the guest book in that room, perhaps under a chandelier or in another central location.
Signage
Add a sign to your guest book table, reminding guests to sign. You could ask a creative friend to do some custom chalkboard art, or use a simple framed sign. A picture frame with the words "Please sign our guest book" can be very effective.
Decorations
Add eye-grabbing decorations to your guest book table, such as a stunning flower arrangement, photographs of the happy couple, or other decor. Artfully arranged bowls of candy are sure to get attention.
Guest book alternatives
While a traditional guest book is a great option, you could also consider alternatives such as a vintage typewriter for guests to type their well-wishes, or a Polaroid camera for them to take photos to stick into the book. If you love music, you could ask guests to sign a vinyl record or your favourite instrument. For travel enthusiasts, a display of postcards for guests to write on and drop into a custom mailbox is a fun idea.
Printed Wedding Albums: Worth the Investment?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Seating charts
When creating your seating chart, it is important to consider the setup of your reception space and the needs of your guests. For example, older guests should not be seated too close to the music, and guests with mobility concerns should have clear and easy access to the dance floor and exit. You should also consider grouping people who know each other together, and avoid seating family members who don't get along at the same table.
You can create your seating chart electronically or by hand. If you choose to create it electronically, many sites offer a drag-and-drop seating tool that allows you to easily switch up your arrangements. If you prefer to create it by hand, you can sketch your tables on a piece of poster board and write each guest's name on an individual sticky note, making it easy to move people around if needed.
There are many ways to creatively display your seating chart. You can use a standard 24"x36" chart, which can fit approximately 160 names listed alphabetically, or you can get creative with the shape and design of your chart. For example, you could use colourful acrylic shapes, pennant-shaped signs, or even have your seating assignments laser-engraved into wood signage.
Some couples choose to put their seating chart on the welcome table, while others prefer to put it in the same area as where people will be seated to avoid guests heading into the reception area early. If you have a small wedding, you may also be able to simply tell your guests where to find their seats.
Wedding Photography: Maximizing Craigslist for Leads and Clients
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![ARTESORI Premium Wedding Vow Book for Her & Him, Soft Touch, Gold Foil, 28 Lined Pages, Wedding Vow Books His and Hers, Wedding Essentials, Wedding Registry Ideas, His and Hers Gifts [Ivory & Black]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71X4pKgPtNL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
Signs and hashtags
Wedding welcome signs are an important part of your décor and can be used to showcase your wedding hashtag. They can be decorative and informative, including the couple's names, the wedding date, and a welcome message. You can also use them to communicate other important information, such as the itinerary of the day or requests for an unplugged ceremony.
There are endless ways to decorate your wedding welcome sign, but flowers are a popular choice. Fresh blooms work for any type of event but are especially suitable for outdoor, nature-focused venues. You can also flank a wooden-framed sign with wildflowers and have the blooms sketched on the board. If you want to showcase couple portraits, you can use your welcome sign to display photos from your engagement shoot.
Welcome signs can be placed near the entrance of your venue or wherever guests will first walk in. They can also be used as directional signs to point guests towards the bar, bathroom, or photo booth. If you have a photo booth, you can add your wedding hashtag to the sign next to it, encouraging guests to share their photos on social media. You can also add the hashtag to centrepieces on tables, the gift table, or the DJ booth.
For a unique look, you can opt for a neon sign or a chalkboard sign with fancy cursive. You can also print the hashtag on cocktail napkins or put a framed photo of the hashtag next to the bar.
Who Owns Wedding Photo Copyrights?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Wedding welcome tables often include a guest book, seating chart, card box, and decorations like flowers, candles, or photos. If you're collecting gifts at your wedding, you may also want to include a gift table or card box on the welcome table.
The welcome table should be in a visible location at the reception venue, ideally somewhere all guests will walk past. It should be in the main event space, not a lobby, and within your eyesight to prevent wedding gift theft.
The welcome table should blend in with the rest of your wedding decor. You can use accents, flowers, candles, or signage to decorate it. If you're having a modern wedding, you can use acrylic signs to inform guests where to place their cards and gifts.
You can use a unique piece of furniture, like a vintage workbench, as your welcome table. You can also get creative with signage—for example, instead of a traditional guest book, you can have guests sign an instrument like a ukulele or use a Polaroid guest book.
