Are Escort Cards/Place Cards Needed?

[Deleted User]

I am having a difficult time talking my FH into having escort cards.  He sees no reason to have them beyond the wedding party and close family.  Are they needed for buffet style reception?  If so, can you help me talk him into it :-)

alecat9

We are doing something my cousin did for her reception. We are making up placecards and setting them up on a table and the guests can come pick up their's and put it at the place they want to set, so that they don't have to worry about leaving a purse or losing their seat while at the buffet.
Most will tell you that if you don't do assigned seating, then at least do assigned tables.
My guest list is not huge, so I'm trying something else, but will agree that for most weddings, assigned tables are a smart idea.
Instead of placecards you could do a seating chart at the entrance listing table numbers with the guests' names underneath.

[Deleted User]

I love your idea of using the escort cards to just reserve the seats.  There will be no pressure for them because their marker will keep others from sitting down when the get food or get up to dance!  I think this is perfect!

SaraAndrew2010

I think you should assign tables (using escort cards).  No need to assign individual seats at each table (which is what place cards are for).  Assigning tables ensures that your Great Aunt Mary doesn't get stuck at a table with your FI's college buddies.  I think it puts people at ease to not have to worry about finding a place at a table and trying to find places to sit by people they know.  If you don't assign tables, the people who sit down last could end up having trouble finding seats together.  If you don't assign tables, you should definitely have more seats than guests so that people have options for where to sit.

SweetLaura286

I would encourage at least somewhat assigned seating. We went to a wedding of my fiance's friends last year, and the seating was honestly a mess. We ended up at a table with half of his friends, and half his uncle, aunt, 3 year old cousin, great uncle, etc. and a bunch of other friends would have liked to sit with us as well but were unable.

trix1223

Doing table assignments is actually a courtesy to your guests. It ensures that people who don't get along won't end up stuck with each other because they're the only open seats left.

It ensures that couples or families won't be split up because there are not enough seats left at any given table when they arrive.

It ensures that Great Aunt Hilda won't be seated with your FIs college frat brothers, or that Grandpa Al won't end up sitting right next to the dj's speakers.

It ensures that your college roommate, who doesn't know anyone but you at the wedding, won't wander the room hoping that she can sit somewhere. (Remember the cafeteria in Jr. High?)

It ensures that you won't have 11 people jammed into a table that seats 8 comfortably because people decided to pull up chairs so they could all sit together.

It also saves you $$, because when you don't have assigned tables, you need to have extras because you WILL end with tables of 4 where you intended to have 8.

I've only been to one wedding without table assignments, and it was a holy mess as people wandered around trying to figure out where they were supposed to sit.

Do table assignments.

Theresa626

Ditto everything trix said.  Escort cards are always necessary.