This Monday, I'm going to bow down to the master and answer the big question; Martha Who? Yes, Martha Stewart. When it comes to seating charts, escort cards and all things seating, I have to admit she is the DIY queen. If you have yet to decide on a seating chart or escort cards, I invite you to browse through her site for ideas and inspiration. She has ideas for every budget and DIYer skill level.
**Martha Stewart Weddings**
We all know how painful the guest list can be and seating them can be equally as painful - but at least it can be pretty!!
In a practical sense, seating cards are wedding-reception ambassadors, making guests feel welcome and helping avoid confusion or misunderstanding over seating arrangements. Your display can also give your guests their first impression of the party to come.
Seating cards are normally displayed on a table near the entrance to the reception. Traditionally, cards containing only table numbers were presented in small envelopes bearing each guest's name. Nowadays, many couples prefer tented cards with the guest names written on the outside and the table number on the inside. As long as the cards accomplish this goal, they can be as creative as you like.
Here are a few of my Martha faves, along with their how-to instructions:
Mini Chair Escort Cards
These tiny chairs may be too small for sitting, but they are the perfect size for displaying guests' names and table numbers. The seats are made from heavyweight paper -- we used pale yellow for ladies and pale green for gents -- and can be calligraphed or run through a printer. Tidy rows, however, won't stay that way if a breeze blows by, so make this an indoor display.
Seating Chart Display
Guests skim the alphabetized list at the right of this elegant seating chart to find their table number, then locate their table on the floor plan; place cards at the table remind them where to sit. Create the map using a computer design program, and have a copy shop print it in color onto poster-size paper. Or create it by hand. Mount on foam board, and edge with grosgrain ribbon. To avoid a bottleneck at the entry, place several maps in different areas of the room.
Autumn Foliage Escort Cards
For a rustic autumn wedding, craft-punched bright paper leaves bearing guests' names transform bare branches into majestic trees; we cut slits into the branches with a craft knife and then slid in the leaves.
Mega giant oak leaf, maple leaf, and birch leaf punches, by The Punch Bunch, from Scrappily Ever After.
Escort Card Door How-To
Tools and Materials
- Multipaned window or French door
- Scissors
- Adhesive tape
- Water-based Sharpie paint maker
Basic How-To
This project will work on any glass-paned door or window.1. Measure the panes. Type table numbers and the names of guests into your computer, designing them so that they will fit inside the panes.
2. Print out onto ordinary printer paper.3. Tape the paper behind the glass so that you can see the text through the windowpane. Trace the letters and words onto the glass with the Sharpie paint maker.4. Pull off the paper, and display the door.When you are done with the door, soap and water will remove the markings.
A few additional seating tips:
- Whatever their form, seating cards should generally be arranged in alphabetical order in a format that's easy for guests to scan quickly. The guests' names should be neatly written or calligraphed, and table numbers should be clearly readable. Your seating card display should be sized in proportion to the number of guests you have. If you're having a large reception, make sure you have a big enough surface to display all the cards, so your guests can easily retrieve theirs without disturbing neighboring ones. To save space on the table, or if you want to use fewer cards for a compact display, address one card per couple (even if they're unmarried) instead of using individual cards for each person. Also post an attendant or waiter with an alphabetized master list at the seating-card display to assist your guests should anyone's card be misplaced.
- Typically, your cards should be set out at least one hour before the reception. Of course any display using perishable items, such as food or fresh flowers, should be put in place as close to the hour of the reception as possible. In this case, be sure to arrange for your wedding planner or a friend to handle the task.
- Map out a preliminary seating arrangement a few weeks ahead of time, and begin working on elements of your display. Then, update the seating plan as your response cards arrive; you should be able to finalize it a week or so before your event. This will leave you plenty of time to attend to the last-minute details.
- A lovely seating-card display will make those beginning moments of your reception even more enchanting for your guests as they pick up their cards, discover whom they'll be sitting next to, and wonder what other delights are in store.
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Now that we’ve learned what CAN be done, what are YOU doing for seating arrangements at your wedding? Care to share your ideas and/or inspiration?
To end this week’s thread, I’d like to challenge all of you to fight for the crown and be a DIY queen 