Tables numbers/ names and menus?

TerriandJoe

Hi! I am just trying to get a sense of what people are doing with their table "papers". Our venue has posts  (that look like pitchforks) and have huge numbers they put in them. So instaed of seeing the pretty table setting, you focus on "4" or "12" in big, bold lettering. And then (at least I think) you are nott dreawn to teh tables themselves. My original thought was to purchase picture frames and give each table a name or quote about love and place a menu per person inside the folded napkin that would lay on each charger plate. Well, I just found out that our venue places salads on each plate before we are allowed into the ballroom. And the napkins are folded into a flower shape in places in each glass. I am fine about the napkin fold, but what do I do about the menus and table names. Our coordinator suggested leaning a menu against each glass, or putting 2 menus in frames per table. But them if the table names are in a picture frame as well, then that 3 frames on each table. Does anyone have any ideas about how I can make the tables look less cluttered? I was thinking put the menus on an easel, but the easels cost as much as a frame and aren't as useful.Any ideas? TIA

TerriandJoe

Sorry, I forgot to mention, where can I put donation cards? (I was thinking of placing them on top of the charger with the menus, but that is an area that is now off limits!

Emstarme

Do you need to put menus on the table? Unless the guests have a choice about what to eat they don't seem necessary.

trix1223

My thoughts:  why do you need menus at all?  Are the guests ordering from the tables without knowing their choices ahead of time?  For the time and trouble, I'd just skip menus.As for table numbers:  they are nothing more than an identifier to help your guests quickly find their spot.  Have a graphic designer (or you using desk top publishing) to make smaller numbers with a lovely flourish on them in your wedding colors.  Then use the venue's holders until guests are seated.  At that point, the servers can remove the holders.Putting a quote or name instead of a number is cutesy, but doesn't really help people quickly and efficiently find their table.  You then have guests walking around wondering is "Love is Sweet" is closer to "All you need is Love" or is it closer to "Love Never Ends".Furthermore, putting the quote in a frame on a table means guests have to go to each table, find the picture frame, read it and decide if it's the right one and if it's not continue the search.  The number on the tall holder is easy to scan, is in a reasonable order, thus moving people quickly.I think you're overthinking this, and making more work for yourselves and your guests.