Confusion over Escort vs. Place Cards vs. Table Numbers

mrskristinyc

So, we want to assign seats for everyone, and our venue coordinator sent over a map of what the room layout will be, and there's a table for place cards.

How does this work exactly? I thought I would put the place cards on the actual tables (where we want everyone to sit). So what goes on the "place card" table? If I put the cards with the names on them on the table, how would they know what seat (and table...) they're in?

.... halp?

lehc723

So generally what I've found is what you want to do instead is put a table with escort cards, as opposed to place cards, which tells people which table they're at. So that way they don't wander the whole room looking for their place.

brainybrunette

Table Number - The number assigned to each table

Escort Card - Cards arranged at an "escort card table" that tell people which table they are assigned to (I think your venue calls this the "place card table") 

Place Card - Card at each place setting that assigned each guest to a specific seat at the table

I'm doing escort cards for my assigned seating but not place cards.  So, guests are assigned to a table but they can pick any seat they want at that table.

In your case, if you want people to sit at a specific seat at the table you would:

1) have an escort table so that people can pick up their escort card and know what table to go to

2) have place cards at each place setting so guests know which seat you'd like them to sit at

Ividian

What Nic said  I'm doing escort cards, which will be left on a table just outside the doors to the ballroom, with the person's name and table number on it. They will pick up the card, and pick any seat at the table indicated.

lv2011

What we're doing, because we are having a plated meal with a lot of options, is having a table at the reception entrance with assignments by table. Then at the tables, the place cards will already be set. For us, this is to eliminate any confusion with the kitchen and servers of someone not grabbing their own escort card, and so they'll know exactly where each dish is going and to whom. I find it's the easiest way to eliminate confusion.

mrskristinyc

Could I just have some (pretty looking) lists at the "place card table" that have each person's name with the table number, and then the place cards at the tables they're sitting at?

So, at the escort/place card table, 12 lists:

Table 1- (list the 8 people sitting there)

Table 2- (list the 8 people sitting there)

etc

Then, have really big numbers on the tables, so the table 1 person can go find table 1, and they'll see that there are names on it, and sit by their name? It just seems excessive to have escort cards and place cards... (and, at less than 3 weeks away, I don't want to add anything else to the list...)

xxjen015

I think that's fine! I'm doing a chart with the guests listed alphabetically, by last name, and their table number. That way I'm not making a separate card for each guest (some people like to  do this so they know who doesn't show up), and then once they get to the table, they can sit wherever they want to.