The card box is everyone's concern...advice?

ShakeUpTampa

Multiple good friends of mine AND my mother have brought up this topic ( mostly since FI has been working on it as a DIY project lately)

Mom said "Do not put it near the front door at all" Friends say "Put it somewhere you can watch it closely

We are trying to figure out a plan for the room to give our coordinator as we are ordering the linens too this week and the only idea the coordinator gave us was the back left corner by the buffet tables for the gift table. I'm assuming the box should go on the gift table but is there a better place to sit it? How long did you leave the box and gifts out before stashing them away?

My poor moms nerves are shot on this topic because once a whole box was swiped from a family friends wedding, granted they caught the jerk but people are ballsy and you never know who that +1 might be.

Other options are to bring the table closer to the reserved tables for family which is also near the head tables?

Would love to hear your plans, TIA!

jena.n.ross

Oh this is a bummer

I wasn't worried about this, but I can see this as a valid concern in a public place.  If it's possible, it wouldn't be a bad idea to put the gift table and the close family reserved tables near each other.  You could also make the cardbox bulky/awkward, so someone would notice if someone tried to make off with it.  

We left out gifts out until the next day  But our venue was in the middle of nowhere.  If you're really concerned, have your coordinator tuck them all away after an hour or so at the reception.

ShakeUpTampa

It is a wooden chest but not huge...I am considering what you mentioned. Just trying to think of the whole layout of the room as now we also have to fit a photobooth in there that we won...I didn think much about it when she said back left corner (They had a poker table they usually use) Calming my mothers nerves is first priority so if the coordinator can find a way to place it in between the family tables or in between head tables and family it might ease their mind. One friend also offered to keep watch on it during cocktail hour, by the time people sit down I assume it can be put away, if someone forgot to put it in the card box I'm sure they will hand it off to use or family...We've been to so many odd weddings I kind of have to LOL that my mother and close friends are stressing the most about THIS, but I do understand the concern now that I think about it.

caseyandlizzie

Is there someone from the venue who can periodically empty the cardbox and then store the cards in an office or somewhere secure? That way no one needs to worry about the whole box getting taken.

ShakeUpTampa

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_card-box-everyones-concernadvice?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:fb093033-7148-4030-a830-fda86c3e03f3Post:d2e4051d-eedf-4ad9-9624-bca64dc23234">Re: The card box is everyone's concern...advice?</a>:
[QUOTE]Is there someone from the venue who can periodically empty the cardbox and then store the cards in an office or somewhere secure? That way no one needs to worry about the whole box getting taken.
Posted by caseyandlizzie[/QUOTE]


No we are gluing the brass flip down on it so we can pop it with a knife later, this is to make sure grabby hands cant get IN, the slot was also done by FI so no children can get their fingers in there, so its more of a walk away with the whole box meaning front door area where place cards = no go. Now I  did consider the guestbook will be by the photobooth vendor...perhaps in that direction? I also don't want to stick it in a place that makes it an eyesore or that we are putting it somewhere to stick out like we are hoping people bring gifts/drop..that is no where the intention, just knowing our guests most will bring gift cards/checks.

jerseydevil

It's very sad that anyone has to even worry about this amonst friends and family, but it is a serious concern. I have family who I don't trust with this, so I understand why you're worried!

RH planner

I work weddings every weekend and this has come up in the past.  We usually suggest putting it on the bar where everyone can see it and the staff can also keep an eye on it. The other suggestion would be on the head table.  It's hard for someone to take something that is the center of the party.  You would also be able to greet your guests when they drop off your cards.

jena.n.ross

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_card-box-everyones-concernadvice?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:fb093033-7148-4030-a830-fda86c3e03f3Post:b78bdba0-154e-4cc1-a584-fb7c2411002d">Re: The card box is everyone's concern...advice?</a>:
[QUOTE]I work weddings every weekend and this has come up in the past.  We usually suggest putting it on the bar where everyone can see it and the staff can also keep an eye on it.<strong> The other suggestion would be on the head table.  It's hard for someone to take something that is the center of the party.  </strong>You would also be able to greet your guests when they drop off your cards.
Posted by RH planner[/QUOTE]
Please don't do this.  

ckollstedt

At a friend's wedding a few summers ago, she actually paid a younger family member (I think she was 14 at the time) to keep an eye on the gift table during the cocktail and dinner hours.  I thought this was kind of odd, but the teen wanted the money, so....

We're going to put the gift table close to the head table and immediate family tables.  

bltata

I actually knew someone who put it in a corner at the back of the room by the dj so that anyone who walked to the gift table would actually be passing by the head table and would have to walk across the entire room.  With a bulky card box it would be pretty easy to see it being carried in front of that many people, plus the dj will often keep an eye on it if you ask.

MeaghanandMichael

I would make sure to empty it periodicially should this be a huge concern among the type of people you know. Honestly? Most people give checks so I wouldn't worry.

ShakeUpTampa

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_reception-ideas_card-box-everyones-concernadvice?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:5Discussion:fb093033-7148-4030-a830-fda86c3e03f3Post:37d14e9e-5e7b-4b67-bc4b-154adb596180">Re: The card box is everyone's concern...advice?</a>:
[QUOTE]I would make sure to empty it periodicially should this be a huge concern among the type of people you know. Honestly? Most people give checks so I wouldn't worry.
Posted by MeaghanandMichael[/QUOTE]


Not so much worried about people I Know, its the significant others I never met or +1...as I stated before it is glued shut so they have to take the whole darn thing. I am going to go over the room setting again with the coordinator and see if we can move it from one end to the other, that shift will put it between the family tables and attendant tables but away from anyone knocking it around. I figure by the time cocktail hour is gone and line goes for buffet should be more than time for the bridal party to pack up the stuff into a car.

Thanks for all the input ladies!

christin228

At almost every wedding I've been to, the card box has been on it's own little table near the head table.  For our wedding, the venue said they put one table behind us on the left side with the card box, and one behind us on the right with the cake.