how to display table assignments at wedding

33 Wedding Seating Chart Ideas You Need to See ASAP

• Chapelle writes articles for The Knot Worldwide. She covers all things wedding-related and has a personal interest in covering traditions and history.
• Before joining The Knot Worldwide, Chapelle was an editorial intern for Subvrt Magazine.
• Chapelle has a degree in English writing from Loyola University New Orleans.

Okay, we know you're probably stressing about where your parents sit during the reception right now, but let us bring your mind to something more fun. Because after all, you'll need wedding seating chart ideas to display your final decision. Seating charts act as crowd control and provide key information to guests about where their reception home base is. You want all attendees to enjoy themselves and be as in the know as possible, and wedding seating charts are an integral component of that. And, as a bonus, a well-designed seating chart can be an important piece of wedding decor, making a special statement that complements your color palette and theme.

We gathered all the seating plan ideas for weddings other couples have done so you can dream up your chart. Plus, we tapped wedding industry experts to answer your most pressing seating arrangement questions so you know what to ask for when you meet with your planner and decorator .

Wedding seating chart ideas we love: Unique | Rustic | Creative | Easy | Simple | Elegant | Modern | Cute | Fun

Unique Wedding Seating Chart

For those who want their seat assignments to stand out to their guests, we have the right inspiration for you. Check out these unique seating plan ideas for a wedding before talking to your decorator.

1. Acrylic Palm Leaves Wedding Seating Signs

At this Florida wedding, the tropical aesthetic was in full force. From palm leaves on the lounge area pillows to acrylic tropical seating charts, the couple wasn't shy about showing off their wedding theme .

2. Nautical-Inspired Wedding Seating Chart

For their private lakefront wedding, the to-be-weds wanted a subtle nautical look. That's why rustic oars were used to hold the seating charts.

3. Wood Hutch Seating Chart Display

Need vintage wedding seating chart ideas that are also unique? Then include an antique or vintage piece you love to present your seating chart. This wood hutch served as a shelf to hold a grouping of seating charts at this wedding.

4. Abstract Painted Wedding Seating Chart

Let your passion for art shine during your wedding. Minimalist colorful paint strokes decorated the back of this translucent table plan.

Rustic Wedding Seating Chart Ideas

We don't think the rustic wedding theme is going away any time soon. Let nature motivate the ideas for your seating chart at your wedding.

5. Pennant Wedding Seating Sign

12 pennant-shaped signs directed guests to their seats. While the watercolor wedding calligraphy brought an elegant touch to the display.

6. Laser-Cut Wood Wedding Seating Chart

Instead of painting guests' names onto wood, think outside of the box. This couple had seating assignments laser-engraved into their wood signage.

7. Moss and Floral Forward Wedding Seating Sign

A moss wall anchored this trio of seating arrangement signs while hydrangea, eucalyptus and roses rounded out the display.

Creative Wedding Seating Chart Ideas

Being as imaginative as possible is always a good idea for a wedding. Use these creative seating plan options to spark some ideas for your event.

8. World Map Wedding Seating Chart

For this vintage industrial wedding, the couple got an old map professionally framed to act as their seating chart. Make a custom wedding seating chart like this by making each pinned location a place you and your partner have traveled to together.

9. Glass Jar Seating Plan

A traditional two-dimensional seating chart doesn't have to be the only way. This outdoor wedding had guests' names written on glass jars which beautifully reflected the natural light.

10. Gold Frame Wedding Seating Signs

Miniature gold frames bore wedding guest seating assignments at this wedding. The small pressed flowers were a perfect addition too.

11. Vinyl Record Wedding Seating Charts

You might not have known this but music-themed wedding ideas do exist. Personalize your event by having records from your favorite artists as seating charts. This is a DIY wedding project we fully approve of.

Easy Wedding Seating Chart Ideas

We get it. Not everyone wants to put lots of effort into their wedding seating chart. Look at these easy choices so you can move on to the other design aspects.

12. Wall of Ivy

A vibrant wall of ivy ensconced this DIY seating chart. The neat print was written on brown kraft-style paper and didn't take away from its natural surroundings.

13. Horse Racing-Inspired Wedding Seating Sign

You don't want to make seating chart mistakes like not numbering or misnumbering your tables. But that doesn't mean you can't get creative with how you number the tables. This couple used horse racing badges to differentiate between them.

14. Suspended Acrylic Seating Charts for a Wedding

This wedding was held at a gorgeous greenhouse in California. The pink hanging seating charts matched the plants hanging from macrame holders.

Simple Seating Chart Wedding

Your wedding seating chart can be understated while still being nice to look at. Keep reading to see which of these simple ideas catches your eye.

15. Refined Linen Wedding Seating Chart

As you're deciding how to make a wedding seating chart, it's a great idea to look to your wedding invitations for inspiration. If you're using a unique material, such as cloth, in your wedding invitations then bring that same material into your wedding seating chart design.

16. Metal-Framed Wedding Seating Sign

A traditional easel doesn't have to be the foundation for your wedding seating chart. Freestanding metal frames held these calligraphy-adorned seating charts at this outdoor reception.

17. Teal Tropical Wedding Seating Chart

Some of the best beach wedding seating chart ideas come from using the environment as a muse. Tropical leaves added even more greenery to this teal display at a beach wedding in Hawaii.

Elegant Wedding Seating Chart Ideas

Looking for classic and stylish wedding seating charts? Then, try one of the elegant ideas below for a timeless theme.

18. Sprawling Greenery Wedding Seating Chart

Greenery encased most of this dramatic white seating chart creating a secret-garden-inspired feel. We suggest arranging the foliage so it doesn't obscure the seating plan too much.

19. Mirror Seating Plan for a Wedding

Use nature as your easel like how this couple had their mirror seating chart propped up against a tree. Also, look at the beautiful pictures of loved ones hanging from the tree as a personal touch.

20. Black Wood Wedding Seating Chart

You can get the rustic look without having brown wood. This black-painted wood board was finished off with the couple's names written in white calligraphy.

21. Tri-Arch Greenery Wedding Seating Sign

Detached door frames were the foundation for this wedding seating plan. Lush foliage and pink and white roses covered the arches and bases.

Modern Wedding Seating Chart Ideas

Try some of the latest trends in wedding seating charts. The bold colors and shapes shown below will make your arrangement pop.

22. Geometric-Inspired Wedding Seating Chart

Make guests feel like they're looking through a kaleidoscope when looking at your seating chart. Consider having colorful acrylic shapes strung together and shining light through them so they can reflect onto everything around them.

23. Orange Ombré Wedding Seating Chart

Ombré of orange signs served as the wedding table seating chart for this celebration. This color choice is a good idea for those who want their display to be vibrant while blending in with some of the natural environment.

24. Tropical Round Seating Chart

A round frame and spaced-out small seating chart cards ensured this wedding venue's tropical greenery was on display. Don't be afraid to add some of the foliage in the area to decorate this structure type.

25. Funky Poolside Wedding Seating Chart

It only makes sense to have a Palm Springs wedding by a pool. Here, wedding guest seating assignments were written on colorful shapes suspended from a copper frame.

Cute Wedding Seating Chart Ideas

Yes, we know everyone's definition of cute is different. But we're still going to give you our opinion on the cutest wedding seating chart ideas we've seen.

26. Pink Boho Find Your Seat Wedding Sign

At this reception, the wedding head table isn't just for the love birds, instead, it has the couple's loved ones sitting with them as well. ( Psst. Don't take this seating chart etiquette decision lightly.) At this laid-back fete, an acrylic seating chart hung amongst boho pink decorations and garlands.

27. Illustrated Tropical Wedding Seating Chart

Highlight some of the plants and fruits of your wedding location on your wedding seating chart. The illustrations on this linen sign mirrored the motifs first introduced in this couple's wedding invitations for their Tulum, Mexico, wedding .

28. Mixed Media Wedding Seating Charts

This is not the type of display you should try to DIY. Tap your wedding planner and calligrapher to help pull off these boho seating charts using clay and glass jars, mirrors and cut geodes.

29. Pink Wood Wedding Seating Sign

To customize this pink display, illustrations served as table names. The couple's initials, a toucan, lobster, pineapple, anchor and rainbow replaced unconventional wedding table numbers.

Fun Wedding Seating Chart Ideas

Show off your interests and theme with your wedding seating sign. Below are a few of the fun ways you can go about it.

30. Crystal Ball Wedding Seating Chart

At this celebration, the wedding theme was "Made of Magic." That's why it makes perfect sense that crystal balls with the guests' names and table numbers written on them served as the seating charts.

31. Colorful Groovy Wedding Seating Sign

The bride and groom pulled from the 1970s and a disco-chic era for their wedding aesthetic. The disco balls are great groovy additions to this setup.

32. Wedding Seating Chart With Neon Sign

Yes, some people think neon wedding signs are played out, but we disagree. If you want a custom neon sign, like this orange one for this black-and-white seating chart, do it.

33. Charcuterie-Inspired Wedding Seating Chart

If you're as obsessed with charcuterie boards as we are, include them in your seating chart design. Pay homage to your favorite snacks with a cheese board and wine seating chart vignette.

Wedding Seating Chart Frequently Asked Questions

Okay, you've seen enough wedding seating chart inspiration to last you a lifetime. Now, it's time to answer all the questions you'll have during the planning process.

What's the difference between an escort card, place card and seating chart?

A wedding escort card is an object, meant to be taken by guests, displaying attendee names and table assignments. A seating chart similarly disseminates table assignments, but via a stationary display for guests to look at, but not interact with. If used, place cards tell wedding guests specifically which seat at their table belongs to them. ( Psst. You can find wedding place card ideas here.)

"A seating chart is a (much more beautiful) version of a mall directory that guests can reference to find out where they're sitting during the reception. They're often displayed in a central location that all guests will pass by at some point, and often categorized by table number or guests' last names," says Ashley Lachney, head wedding planner of Alston Mayger Events with 12 years of event planning experience. Dena Cohen, wedding planning expert and founder of The Planning Society , agrees and explains that "both seating charts and escort cards direct guests to a specific table. A seating chart lists your guests' names, alphabetically, with the table number next to the name or grouped according to table number, for all guests to see. It can create an unexpected and fun entrance into the event space. Seating charts can be personalized , monogrammed and calligraphed on many formats—acrylic boards, mirrors, wood, fabric, glass, chalkboards, specialty paper and more."

When should you make a wedding seating chart?

While a seating chart can't be finalized until all your RSVPs are in , you should begin the preliminary planning process early. Brooke Avishay, the founder of Orange Blossom Special Events with at least a decade in the event industry, advises couples to start early. "Generally, you should be able to create a rough plan for seating while waiting for your RSVPs to come in. Getting a head start on this will save a lot of grief as you approach the big day. If you do about 80% of the work while you're waiting for responses, all you'll need to do is make some small adjustments once you've received all RSVP cards."

How do you make a seating chart for a wedding?

Thankfully, there are plenty of wedding planning tools out there (and wedding seating chart templates) to help with assigning seats, like The Knot Guest List Manager which helps couples stay on task during the planning process. Before even getting to that stage, it's a great idea to add notations to your RSVP spreadsheet to help categorize attendees. Whether you add a column to signal how you know a given person or color code based on whether they're family, a college friend or a work colleague, starting to group guests early on will make it easier to assign seats. Of course, if you're more of a tactile person, the paper plate method is a trusted option. Lay out a collection of paper plates on your table and use flag sticky notes to decide who sits where. To save space, you could get your reception floor plan enlarged and printed on a poster board before using sticky notes to play around with potential table assignments.

Should a seating chart be organized alphabetically or by table?

This is a hotly debated question and even industry professionals are split as to which style of seating plan is best. Generally speaking, arranging your guest list alphabetically is the more efficient method, but for a very small guest list, couples can consider making an exception to organize by table number.

Janice Carnevale, a long-time wedding professional and the owner of Bellwether Events , advises couples to "always organize a seating chart alphabetically by the last name. If it's organized by the table, as I have seen in photos, it takes guests a longer time to find their name and table assignment, and staring at a poster is no way to spend a cocktail hour. Listing guests by table causes a bottleneck, and generally, it's not a pleasant guest experience." Shannon Ducker, design expert and owner of Shannon Rose Events , says when it comes to large guest counts, alphabetical is the only logical organization method. "For guest counts of 100 guests or fewer, it's perfectly acceptable to organize a seating chart by table if the design lends itself better to that method. For any events larger than 100 guests, you should always organize alphabetically so that guests can find their seating assignment more easily." Ducker goes on to suggest that seating charts list parties and not individual guests as this "allows for couples and families to find their table faster since they are only having to look once for their table."

Hannah Nowack contributed to the reporting of this piece.

Now that you've got some inspo, it's time to get crafty. Cricut smart cutting machines make creating your own personalized wedding projects easy and fun. Learn more at Cricut.com .

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23 Creative Wedding Seating Chart Ideas That Will Stop Guests in Their Tracks

Guide guests to their seats in serious style.

Photo by Tenth and Grace

Sure, mapping out your wedding seating chart may seem like a tough task at first glance but it doesn't have to be that way. Once you start thinking outside the box (ahem, this is where Pinterest comes in), guiding your guests to their seats can actually be tons of fun. If you've ever attended a wedding reception before, then you know how difficult it can be locating your seat—or maybe that's just us? Eliminate the confusion altogether by creating a seating chart that's functional and easy on the eyes. When done correctly, your seating chart will seamlessly be integrated into the wedding décor.

There are countless ways to create a reception seating sign that will stop wedding-goers in their tracks. If your wedding style leans towards boho or ethereal, fabric flag signs are the perfect accoutrement to a charming barn venue. If your wedding theme is more rustic, try penning your wedding seating chart in classic calligraphy on a blackboard. Meanwhile, the romantically inclined will want to take note of the wedding seating chart ideas featuring lucite and mirrors with pretty white lettering for their reception space .

Ahead, we're sharing 23 of our favorite creative wedding seating chart ideas from real weddings that will serve as major conversation starters at the dinner table.

Consider a Chalkboard Design

Photo by Carrie Patterson Photography

Who says blackboards and chalk were just for your grade school days? This contrasting, rustic style featuring an overview of all the attendees and their designated tables will fit so many different wedding themes . Find a friend who knows calligraphy (and has a steady hand) to mimic the look of this elegant seating chart.

Get Reflective

Photo by Courtney Simpson Photography

Mirror, mirror on the wall... this seating arrangement situation may just be the fairest of them all. ICYMI: Wedding mirror signs aren't going anywhere.

Recreate this idea by sourcing a vintage mirror with an ornate frame and use a white paint pen to write out your guests' names.

Fly Your Banners

Photo by Towards the Moon

These elegant flags will bring a pop of color into any bohemian, outdoor wedding. Now to add a string of fairy lights for a bit of intimacy.

Be Transparent

Photo by Jana Williams Photography

As much as we adore calligraphy, there's something about a clean, crisp font that just looks so polished and modern. The stylish lucite backdrop coupled with white blooms further conveys a sense of matrimony.

Keep Things Minimal

Photo by Hannah Costello

This minimalist blackboard sign is complemented by a copper stand, fitting in perfectly with the restaurant reception venue at this real wedding. The "Please Be Seated" signage will beckon guests to do just that: Take a seat!

Incorporate a Celestial Touch

It was written in the stars: This astrology-inspired series of tarot card-inspired signs is a striking way to inject a dark and moody color palette into your wedding reception or after-after party.

Unravel Rustic Scrolls

Photo by Meghan Mehan

These stunning, rustic scrolls are the perfect accent to barnyard nuptials . We especially love the design for longer-than-long guest lists that create a sizable trail.

Utilize High Ceilings

Shout it from the rooftops: Let your seating arrangement hang from the ceiling for an enchanting addition to your venue's décor.

Play Into Your Theme

PHOTO BY RICHARD SKINS PHOTOGRAPHY ; Event Planning by Natalie Bentley at Soho Farmhouse

For a rustic wedding, consider using wooden crates to hang seating chart cards from. Adding accents of wildflowers is the perfect finishing touch to this shabby-chic display.

PHOTO BY BIANCCA WALLACE; Event Planning by After The Engagement

We love how this retro-inspired seating chart is all about the typography. The simplistic design complemented by the copper detailing is minimalist yet statement-making.

Work With Watercolors

PHOTO BY AMY & STUART ; Event Planning by Alison and Bryan

Utilizing watercolor is perfect for spring and summer weddings. Plus, if you have an artistic friend, they can add a special touch to your day by hand-painting your seating arrangement. 

PHOTO BY KRISTIN SWEETING

Seating charts don't always have to be hung. This crafty display uses miniature clothespins on a wooden palette to set the tone.

Sprinkle In Pressed Flowers

PHOTO BY JUSTIN LEE ; Event Planning by Davis Row

Spice up your acrylic seating chart with pressed flowers for an elegant and memorable design. We love how it creates the illusion of vibrant blooms dancing in the wind.

Spell It Out With Letter Boards

PHOTO BY RYAN HORBAN ; Event Planning by After The Engagement

Spelling out guests' names on letter boards is the perfect seating chart design for a more intimate wedding. Plus, it's an unexpected nostalgic twist that everyone will adore.

Make It Something Blue

PHOTO BY LAUREN FAIR PHOTOGRAPHY

Still looking for that special something blue ? This alpine seating chart keeps with tradition while honoring the locale with bleached Aspen leaves attached to escort cards .

Frame Your Chart

PHOTO BY JONNIE AND GARRETT; Event Planning by Modern Day Events & Floral

For a timeless and elegant look, consider framing your seating chart in an ornate piece. The design can feel vintage or it can look sleek if you opt for a simpler frame.

Herd Everyone With Horseshoes

Photo by Michelle Beller Photography

Horseshoes are considered good-luck charms and we can't think of a more auspicious way to start a life together. This Montana ranch wedding fully embraced the theme with horseshoe escort cards that doubled as wedding favors.

PHOTO BY JENNINGS KING ; Event Planning by Fox Events

Make your seating chart a statement piece by placing escort cards on an oversized wooden board. This is a brilliant way to utilize larger spaces for elevated visuals.

Hang From Silk Strings

PHOTO BY JILL DEVRIES ; Event Planning by Detroit Cultivated

This modern farm wedding featured escort cards hanging from hand-dyed silk for a humble and romantic optic . It just doesn't get any more poetic than that.

Throw It on Pottery

Photo by Mallory Dawn

For an ultra unique take, this Coachella Valley wedding showcased the seating chart on hand-calligraphed pottery. We're totally smitten, to say the least.

Say It With Ceramics

Photo by Alicia King Photography

Speaking of ceramics, this verdant Hudson Valley wedding tucked segments of the seating chart into gorgeous, flower-filled vases. In fact, it took the newlyweds over two yeas to collect the ginger jars which they consider their shared "labor of love."

Shake Things Up

Photo by Anna Delores Photography

Is it even a party without tassels? This autumnal boho-chic wedding in California definitely got the memo with a tassel-adorned seating chart that looks right at home amongst a backdrop of greenery.

Blend Into Florals

Photo by Belathée Photography

Seating charts don't always have to take center stage. The beautifully famed signage plays a supporting role to the generous floral focal point at this moody, Bridgerton-inspired wedding in Connecticut .

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26+ Seating Chart Ideas for Your Wedding

Get creative and have fun with your seating chart as it adds a special touch to your wedding decor and guest experience.

By MINTED , Last Updated: February 01, 2024 6 minute read

Escort cards are a traditional way to direct guests to their assigned dinner table. The individual cards are printed with each guest’s name and table number, and the cards are typically arranged neatly on a table near the reception entrance.

But if escort cards aren’t quite in line with your wedding vision, then a single wedding seating chart might better suit your style. Make sure to check out our guide on how to create your seating chart .

If you prefer something more straightforward, opt for a large seating chart sign that lists guests’ names in alphabetical order, along with their table number assignment. Up for a DIY project? Keep reading for unique seating chart ideas.

26 CREATIVE WEDDING SEATING CHART IDEAS

Consider the overall wedding theme and style when choosing a unique seating chart idea. Get creative and have fun with it, as it adds a special touch to your wedding decor and guest experience.

While most of our display ideas won’t have a huge impact on your venue, consider asking about ideal wedding seating chart placement when you tour the space .

1. Seating Chart Sign

Display an elegant wedding seating chart sign at cocktail hour so guests can peruse and locate their dinner table while enjoying a beverage. Be sure to display the sign at the eye level. You’ll also want to position it in a spot where guests can easily gather around without hindering traffic flow. Minted’s new seating chart signs come in two different large-format sizes (16" x 20" and 18" x 24") and guests’ names can be arranged by table number (as shown) or in alphabetical order, whichever makes the most sense for your guest list.

Someone Like You by Design Lotus

2. Paper Scroll Seating Chart

We love this oversize take on an elegant paper scroll. Guests’ names and assigned table numbers were calligraphed onto a large roll of paper. The scroll was draped over a stone wall along the path to the reception, then anchored with candlelit lanterns and fresh greenery.

Photo: Thecablook Fotolab

3. Window Panes Seating Chart

This seating chart is a stylish and creative repurpose of a pair of hinged wood-frame windows. Each glass window pane lists the numbered table numbers, along with the guests assigned to sit there.

Photo: The Sanadas / Marianne Wilson Photography

4. Serving Trays Seating Chart Display

Turn simple serving trays into an elegant seating chart display with some chalkboard paint and a white-ink pen. Source a variety of serving trays in different shapes and sizes; then, paint the centers using chalkboard paint. Once dry, write everyone’s seating assignment and display the serving trays on small tabletop stands. This look would pair nicely with black and white wedding invitations .

Photo: Nicole Baas Photography

5. Mirror Seating Chart

This chic seating chart display is a trio of mirrors at varying heights, each lettered with guests’ names and seating assignments (names were arranged in alphabetical order by first name). Cascading blush and white flowers add softness, while the dozens and dozens of flickering candles cast a romantic glow (and also help with readability!). This seating chart style adds elegance to your floral/botanical wedding theme.

Photo: Raquel Benito

6. Translucent Cube Seating Chart

For a modern wedding seating chart display, we love this series of stacked acrylic boxes. Each translucent cube lists a different table number, along with the names of the guests assigned to that table. Stack the boxes on a table in numerical order and accent them with rosebuds and petals.

Photo: Loft Photography

7. Photo Seating Chart

Such a creative way to guide guests to their seats: Print a photo of each guest (grab a good one from their Instagram or Facebook page), along with their name and table number. Affix them to a freestanding display for everyone to browse during cocktail hour. This is also a great way to help guests mingle and get to know each other—it will certainly help put faces to names.

Photo: Ryan Ray Photography

8. Mix-and-Match Seating Display

This seating chart display combines an eclectic mix of elements like terra-cotta planters, glass and ceramic vases, agate slices, and mirrors. All elements are hand-lettered with guests’ names and table numbers. An inviting neon sign adds ambiance to this boho-style installation. Be sure to read through our additional bohemian wedding ideas .

Photo: Anna Delores Photography

9. Bud Vases Seating Display

For a stylish twist to a seating chart, fill clear-glass bud vases with a single bloom in your wedding’s color palette, like these pretty dahlias and ranunculuses. Write guests’ names and table numbers on each vase and display them on a table at cocktail hour in alphabetical order.

Photo: Joel Serrato

10. River Rocks Seating Display

Draw inspiration for your seating chart display from nature and your wedding setting. If you’re tying the knot by the water or in a wooded setting, we love this idea incorporating river rocks. Write each guest’s name on a rock with a white-ink pen and arrange the rocks on vintage trays according to their assigned table number. This look works nicely with a rustic theme or vintage theme .

Photo: Michelle Lillywhite Photography

11. Fruit Baskets Seating Display

Such a sweet (and delicious!) way to show guests to their seats! Feature mini berry baskets, filled with ripe strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries that also bear a small card printed with each guest’s name and table number. Invite guests to snack on the sweet treats as they make their way to the reception.

Photo: Josh Gruetzmacher

12. Bookshelf Seating Display

This is perfect seating chart idea for a pair of book lovers. To achieve this look, cover hardcover books with white butcher paper or brown kraft paper. Then write guests’ seating assignments on the front cover and display the books on wood shelves during cocktail hour for guests to browse.

Megan Welker

13. Map Seating Chart

Pay homage to your home state(s) with a map-themed seating chart like this one, with tables named after California cities and neighborhoods that were meaningful to the couple.

Photo: Sara Weir Photography

14. Embroidery Hoop Seating Display

Such a charming way to guide guests to their reception table! Feature embroidery hoops bearing guests’ names and table assignments, individually cross-stitched and hung from twine with clothespins.

Photo: Jeff Loves Jessica

15. Shot Glass Seating Display

Your guests will enjoy this interactive seating display idea. This couple filled Himalayan sea salt shot glasses, which were calligraphed with each guest’s name, with tequila and topped them with a slice of lime that also noted their table number. We’ll drink to that!

Photo: Shot Glass Seating Display

16. Framed Rustic Seating Chart

If you’re planning a rustic wedding , this wood-framed seating display is the perfect complement (and won’t be very hard to DIY!). Print out table assignments and attach them to chicken wire with mini clothespins. Embellish the corners of the frame with greenery and flowers , then place the seating chart display in a prominent place at cocktail hour so guests can locate their seat.

Photo: Amalie Orrange Photography

17. Vintage Typewriter Seating Chart

Nothing says "vintage wedding" quite like a seating chart typed out on an old-fashioned typewriter. If possible, source an old typewriter in a color that complements your wedding palette, or display a vase of blooms next to it to tie the overall look together. If your wedding is large and all the names won’t fit on a single page, frame the other typed-out seating-chart pages and place them next to the typewriter to keep the traffic flow smooth.

Photo: Q Weddings

18. Pine Cone Seating Display

Planning a winter wedding ? Add some creative wintry touches to your celebration as a nod to the season. For example, collect pine cones on your winter walks and use them to create a festive seating card display. You could use the pine cones as card holders and prop the cards on top, or simply arrange the cards alongside the cones on a wood table. You may also draw inspiration from our Christmas flowers and greenery guide .

Photo: Pinterest

19. Seed Packet Seating Chart Idea

If you’re tying the knot during the spring , include wildflower seed packets with each person’s table assignment. The seed packets can double as a wedding favor and guests can plant the seeds at home and, once the flowers bloom, think back fondly on your wedding.

Photo: Gypsy Jane Photography

20. Fresh Fruit Seating Display

When it comes to wedding seating chart ideas, this ranks among the most unique! For a fresh take on a seating chart, use in-season fruit to display guests’ escort cards. Think oranges and lemons for a winter or springtime wedding and peaches or a basket of cherries for a summer celebration. And, if you are hosting a tropical destination wedding , pineapples and mangos work perfectly!

Photo: Paige Jones Photography

21. Glass Cloche Seating Chart Idea

If your wedding is going to be small and intimate ( think micro wedding ) then you have more leeway to be especially creative with your seating chart display. This couple had glass cloches calligraphed with guests’ seat assignments. Beneath each dome was an arrangement of fresh blooms.

Photo: Amy Arrington Photography

22. Surfboard Seating Chart

Having a beach wedding ? Play up the ocean theme with seating chart wedding ideas like a surfboard lettered with guest names and table numbers. Not only will this clever idea bring smiles to everyone’s faces (and probably become the selfie station for the night), but you can use the surfboard time and time again for future beach trips. Every time you catch a wave you will be reminded of your wedding day.

Photo: Anna Kim Photography

23. Propped Suitcase for a Destination Wedding Seating Chart

If your guests have traveled far and wide for your destination wedding, greet them with a travel-themed seating display. Line a vintage suitcase with rows of folded escort cards in alphabetical order. You could even DIY them to resemble old-fashioned letters with "Par avion" printed on the outside. Guests can be instructed to open a miniature letter to reveal their seating assignment inside.

Photo: Sylvie Gil Photography

24. Wine Bottle Vase Display

For couples hosting a vineyard wedding, chances are you’ve come across many creative winery-themed wedding seating chart ideas. This is one of our favorites because it checks all the boxes: it’s on-theme, elegant, and easy to execute. Collect empty wine bottles and create adhesive labels that list the table number and all the guests assigned to that table. Then, have your florist fill the vases with seasonal blooms to match your wedding color palette. Because this idea is rather easy to execute, it works perfectly for a backyard wedding as well.

Photo: Melani Lust Photography

25. Fortune Cookie Escort-Card Wall

What a clever (and delicious) wedding reception seating chart idea! This couple affixed fortune cookies to a display board along with a banner that said, "So fortunate for you all." Guests were invited to find their fortune cookie. Once located, they cracked the cookie open to reveal their seating assignment inside.

Photo: Anya Kernes Photography

26. Christmas Ornament Wedding Seating Concept

If you’re tying the knot around the winter holidays , we love this elegant nod to the season. Turn Christmas tree ornaments into escort card holders. Achieve a uniform look and use all the same ornaments, or mix up the presentation with an assortment of ornaments. You can even invite guests to take home the item to hang on their mantel or tree.

Photo: Kelly Sweet Photography

WEDDING SEATING CHART ETIQUETTE AND FAQs

We’ve got the answers to all of your burning questions on wedding seating chart etiquette.

Do I have to do a seating chart?

Assigned seating at the reception is not mandatory, but most couples do create a seating chart because they make things simpler. For example, for a plated dinner service, things could get confusing for the catering staff without assigned seating. Plus, some guests may feel a bit uneasy walking into a large reception and having to scan the room for an open spot to sit. A happy medium would be to assign each guest to a dinner table, but let them choose their own seats.

How do I make a seating chart?

Check out our comprehensive guide to creating a seating chart and wedding seating chart etiquette . But in a nutshell, keep the floor plan of your venue in mind as you’re working on your seating chart. Seat yourselves, first; then give your VIPs (parents, grandparents, wedding party members) the best seats in the house. For the remaining guests, try to find some commonalities between groups and seat them together. And, of course, be tactful: Definitely avoid seating people together who might have a history they wish they could forget.

Photo: Charlotte Jenks Lewis Photography

What are the pros and cons to having table assignments vs. seat assignments?

Assigning guests to specific seats at the dinner table makes it easier for the catering staff to deliver guests their selected meals.

Assigning tables (but not specific seats) is less work for you and your partner, and you won’t need place cards. Plus, guests will have some choice as to who they would like to sit next to.

What’s a fun alternative to numbered tables?

Table numbers are the most straightforward option, of course, but you can inject some personality into your reception by naming each table after something meaningful to you and your relationship. Here are a few of our favorite table-name ideas:

• Names of streets you’ve lived on (from childhood, homes you’ve lived in together, etc.)
• Countries or cities you’ve visited together
• Song titles that are special to you
• Favorite childhood books
• Sports teams
• Meaningful landmarks
• Places you’ve gone to on dates
• Favorite authors or books
• Astrological signs
• Constellations
• Wine varietals

Photo: Rebecca Yale Photography

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20 Interesting Ways to Display Seating Charts & Escort Cards

Skip the traditional table and discover unique alternatives for presenting seating assignments..

While most wedding-planning decisions focus on ceremony and reception décor, couples should also consider how they'll show guests to their seats. By Kelcy Christy

While most wedding planning decisions focus on ceremony and reception décor, couples should also consider how they'll show guests to their seats. Typically, names of attendees and table numbers are written on escort cards and placed on a table covered with an elegant linen and topped with a tall flower arrangement ; however, there are a number of ways to display seating assignments in a unique and memorable fashion.

Consider choosing a seating chart or escort card display that shows off your personality as a couple, or one that highlights your wedding theme . In lieu of a traditional escort card table, pin cards to a flower wall, attach seating assignments to trinkets displayed in a bookcase, or handwrite names on an oversized mirror. Though this area of wedding planning is often overlooked and left to the last minute, your guests will love the challenge of finding their names and table numbers on a well-thought-out display that truly becomes a part of the décor.

We've collected 20 unique seating charts and escort card displays from  real weddings to inspire your own event! Take a look at the ideas below, and for more information about these events, click on the links below each image!

1. Beach Wedding Wall

Escort cards pinned to a freestanding white-washed wood wall beautifully fit a beach wedding theme. Offer flip-flops to guests by way of wicker baskets at the base. Photo by Yvette Roman Photography; Floral Design by  The Hidden Garden ; From Real Wedding: All-White Wedding at a Beach Club in Santa Monica, California

2. Wood Wall with Watercolor Cards

This outdoor wedding featured a tall freestanding wooden wall pinned with heart-shaped escort cards with multicolor watercolor designs. Photo by Elizabeth Messina; Planning & Design by Bob Gail Events ; From Real Wedding: Farmers Market-Inspired Cocktail Hour & Shabby Chic Reception

3. Interactive Seating Chart with Champagne

Wow your guests by pairing your seating chart with passed flutes of Champagne through segments of the display itself for a fun, interactive cocktail hour. Photo by Cristina G Photography; From Real Wedding: A Chic City Wedding with Black, White & Blue Décor in Chicago

4. Shabby Chic Shelving Unit

When Tone It Up's Katrina Hodgson got married in Malibu, guests found their seating assignments attached to trinkets displayed on a rustic wood shelving unit. Photo by Jana Williams Photography; From Real Wedding: Tone It Up Trainer Katrina Hodgson's Shabby Chic Malibu Wedding

5. Golf Towel Structure

As an ode to the couple's love of golf, guests found their seating assignments embroidered on golf towels, which were displayed on a tall wooden structure. Photo by Adrienne Page; From Real Wedding: Pink and White Destination Wedding in Charleston, South Carolina

6. Wine-Bottle Vase

Since this wedding took place at an estate in the countryside of Tuscany, loved ones found their table numbers on seating charts attached to wine bottles that were also used as vases for colorful flowers. Photo by Gabriele Fani; Planning & Design by Sara Judith Events ; From Real Wedding: An Alfresco Destination Wedding Under the Tuscan Sun in Italy

7. Freestanding Green Hedge

As a cute touch, seating assignments were attached to a greenery hedge wall by way of clothespins adorned with miniature roses. Photo by Jay Lawrence Goldman Photography ; From Real Wedding: Rustic + Vintage Outdoor Ceremony & Tent Reception in Palm Springs

8. A Bookworm's Dream

For this couple's outdoor garden ceremony, guests found escort cards on a rustic bookshelf embellished with greenery and florals in pale hues. Photo by Stephanie Fay Photography; From Real Wedding: Sophisticated Garden-Inspired Wedding in Phoenix, Arizona

9. Upholstered Key Wall

Seating assignments were attached to antique-style brass keys and displayed on a freestanding white upholstered wall adorned with a garland of gilded magnolia leaves as well as roses and hydrangeas. Photo by Amy & Stuart Photography; From Real Wedding: Chic White, Blush & Gold Seaside Wedding at Montage Laguna Beach

10. Garden Trellis Escort-Card Display

This whimsical garden wedding showcased a trellis-inspired escort card display to continue the garden theme from ceremony to reception. Photo by Emilia Jane Photography; From Real Wedding: Fairy-Tale Garden Wedding at a Luxurious Estate in Nashville

11. Rustic Window Panels

For a true rustic feel, guests found their table assignments handwritten on large window panels displayed atop haystacks outside of a barn. Photo by Michael Segal Photography; From Real Wedding: Rustic-Elegant Wedding in Ojai Valley, California

12. Antique Door

Ideal for a rustic-elegant wedding, secure escort cards to the glass panels of a  shabby chic door frame. Photo by Laurie Bailey Photography; Planning & Design by  Linda Howard Events ; From Real Wedding: Shabby Chic & Garden-Inspired Malibu, California Wedding

13. Postcard Wall

Since this celebration was a destination wedding, the travel theme was highlighted with an escort-card display featuring guest names and table numbers attached to vintage-inspired postcards. Photo by John Cain Photography ; From Real Wedding: Fall Destination Wedding on the Beach in Key West, Florida

14. Handkerchiefs on a Clothesline

How cute are these handkerchiefs embellished with each guest's seating assignment? Hang linens from a clothesline for an extra-special touch. Photo by Elizabeth Messina; Planning & Design by Mindy Weiss Party Consultants ; From Real Wedding: Ethereal Garden-Inspired Morning Ceremony + Alfresco Brunch

15. Suspended Hearts

These heart-shaped wooden escort cards are adorable on their own, but when suspended from a tree for guests to discover, they become even more unique. Photo by Daniel Kincaid Photography; Planning & Design by  Bluebell Events ; From Real Wedding: UFC Octagon Girl Brittney Palmer's Sparkling Oceanfront Wedding

16. Framed Flower Wall

For a luxurious look, pin escort cards to a flower wall composed of peonies in shades of pink and vanilla and add an ornate golden frame. Photo by Chip Gillespie; From Real Wedding: Classic Jewish Wedding at a Synagogue in Houston, Texas

17. Mirror Seating Chart

Hire a calligrapher to write each guest's name on oversized mirrors (or have them etched) for a two-in-one décor element. Not only will guests love the ease of finding their names, but the mirror(s) will also emphasize the space! Photo by Sarah Kate, Photographer; From Real Wedding: Childhood Sweethearts Say "I Do" at Luxury Wedding in Dallas, Texas

18. Show Ribbon Wall

Show off your equestrian background by awarding each guest with their own horse show ribbon emblazoned with their name, table number, and even an individual superlative (like this couple did for their attendees!). Photo by Chrisman Studios; From Real Wedding: A Facebook Executive's Rustic-Elegant Northern California Wedding

19. Swirling Hedge

If you love the look of a garden wedding but your nuptials are indoors, try displaying escort cards atop a hedge of greenery to bring the outdoors in. Photo by KingenSmith; From Real Wedding: Modern Black & White Chicago Wedding with Hints of Pink

20. Ribbon Dance

Hang escort cards from ribbons suspended from an indoor tree or the ceiling for a fun, whimsical décor element! Photo by The Day; From Real Wedding: Opulent Wedding with Whimsical, Luxurious Touches in New York City

Want more wedding ideas? Discover ceremony program ideas and browse our wedding photo galleries  to see thousands of images from real weddings  across the country!

Opening photo by We The Romantics; From Real Wedding: A Garden Wedding at the Couple's Historic Home in Texas

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Insanely Creative Escort Cards and Seating Displays

These unique ideas for escort cards and seating charts won't just blow your guests' minds—they'll guide them to their tables.

After the ceremony and  cocktail hour , your guests will be looking for their reception seats. That's why you're currently looking for ideas to guide them there on the big day. Sure, you can go with classic seating cards, which are typically just pieces of paper with names and table assignments on them. But not everyone wants to  follow tradition , and if you're one of those people, what's the fun in plain-white rectangles? Don't worry—your search for innovative ideas is over. Throughout the years, we've come across dozens of creative escort cards, as well as some incredible  seating charts  and displays.

You won't believe the things that couples have swapped in for stationery. We've seen items that doubled as  wedding favors , edible goodies, and a whole lot more. Even if brides and grooms  did  go with paper goods, plenty have revamped the standard design by using cool colors, gorgeous  calligraphy , and other memorable accents.

To plan your own seating cards or display, look to these examples from real weddings for inspiration. There are ideas fit for every kind of wedding, whether yours is modern, rustic, formal, whimsical, or something else altogether. As you'll see, others have turned to their themes,  hobbies and interests , and many other things to dream up how to guide their attendees to their tables. We encourage you to do the same for cards or charts that truly speak to you and your partner, and for a design that'll amaze all of your celebrants, too.

Calligraphed Cloches

A Vintage Affair , Park Floral Design , and Taryn Eklund teamed up to create this cloche seating display, which showcased pretty blooms covered by glass that was calligraphed with the guests' names and table assignments.

Lollipop Wall

This idea by Lovestruck Events was both pretty and tasty. Lollipops were used in lieu of escort cards and arranged on a white wall.

Romantic Cards

Xs and Os were found throughout this celebration, including as wooden escort cards by The Pointed Nib.

Clear Chart

This see-through The Inviting Pear chart displayed a seating directory, as well as the couple's initials, wedding date, and a cactus motif.

Map Display

This California wedding was inspired by the location, all the way down to the state-themed seating chart.

Inside Jokes

This bride and groom matched their tables with illustrations related to some of their inside jokes. The drawings were put on escort cards that were clipped to hang on a display.

Marbled Lucite

A lucite board guided guests to their seats at this reception. It was painted in purple with a unique, marbleized design.

Paper Flowers

For this flower-filled celebration planned by Pineapple Productions , paper zinnias by Cheree Berry Paper were calligraphed by Arney Walker Studio to display attendees' names and their table assignments. They were pinned to a board covered in green fabric—the whole thing resembled a garden bed.

Beach Balls

This couple worked with Karson Butler Events to plan something truly unique—they used black-and-white beach balls as escort cards, and stored them in their venue's pool. Synchronized swimmers were on standby to find them and hand them to guests!

Cards with Seals

Blush paper squares were calligraphed in green ink by Julie Song for this event. White wax seals displayed each guest's table number.

Hanging Bells

Talk about wedding bells! At this Christmas-themed celebration, paper "ribbons" were calligraphed by Laura Hooper Calligraphy with names and table numbers. Then, they were attached to vintage ringers. Finally, the escort "cards" were strung from the ceiling; Lauryn Prattes Styling and Events staff helped guests retrieve them.

Arrows on Target

Designs by Ahn created this incredibly-imaginative, camp-inspired display of escort arrows on a target board.

Chart Surrounded by Greenery

This pretty display included text written in a fun font. The board that they were on was framed by thick foliage.

Cards on Soap

These on-palette bars of soap served as favors, but they also held escort cards calligraphed by Nicole Miyuki .

Watercolor Cards

How lovely are these blue, hand-painted escort envelopes with The Left Handed Calligrapher writing? They were displayed on a linen board at this airy wedding.

Wooden Structure

Seating cards with botanical designs were attached to standing wooden structures at this event. The displays were also spruced up with greenery, and had lanterns hanging from them.

Cards on Fruit

For this wedding, escort cards were calligraphed by Joya Rose and then stuck into citrus fruits , which matched the display's floral arrangement.

Flower Vases

Pretty vases of assorted Cress Floral Decorators flowers were tagged with seating assignments for this couple's event.

Luggage Tags

Guests traveled to their seats with the help of these leather luggage tags, which doubled as useful favors for this reception.

Incorporate your love of your pet into your seating display. This couple chose to have cards with pop-up dog cutouts.

Apple Barrel

Attendees picked their Deborah Delaney Design cards from a bin of over 500 apples at this wedding.

Hanging Mirrors

Beth Helmstetter planned this tropical wedding, where table assignments were scribbled onto suspended, ornate mirrors.

Pressed Flowers

This wall, titled "Our Favorite Wallflowers," held pressed-flower seating assignments. Guests' names were written in pretty calligraphy.

Hanging Plants

At this destination wedding, flower-filled vessels hung from seafoam-green ribbon, on which simple white escort cards were placed.

Boxwood Wall

The Left Handed Calligrapher wrote these guests' names, which were displayed on Color Box Design & Letterpress cards. The paper flowers were placed on a boxwood wall, where real blooms also laid.

Illustrated Chart

Storybook-worthy animal illustrations adorned this sweet seating display.

Tasseled Cards

LVL Events organized this spring wedding, using yellow tassels to spruce up the seating cards.

Cards and Photos

This decorative clothesline held escort cards interspersed between photographs of guests.

Paper Leaves

Paper leaves in vibrant greens served as seating cards at this wedding. Betty Ling calligraphed the names.

Pilot Wings

When two pilots get married, there has to be a nod to their cool jobs. Each guest was assigned a pair of Amber Moon Design wings on this career-themed display.

Paper Golf Balls

This groom loved golfing so much that the sport was incorporated into the reception décor. White Houston Invitation Services escort cards mimicked—you guessed it—golf balls.

Embroidery Hoops

Blush & Whim made this display happen, using homey needlework escort "cards."

Bugs on Cards

When one of our editors married an "insect obsessive," she drew inspiration from nature. This escort-card table hosted 54 different species, all held in place with pins. Guests could find their names on the paper, plus the bugs' taxonomic name, common name, and place of origin.

Charmed Display

Quirky golden charms brought a touch of whimsy to these elegant, unique table assignments.

Tropical Wall

This wall hosted table assignments and a fun banana-leaf print. The assignments themselves were penned on slabs of hexagonal acrylic, then attached to the wall in brass standoffs. The bride cut out the gold-foil names herself, making a modern, glam display.

Wooden Blocks

This backyard wedding boasted the coolest display, dreamt up by Amorology Weddings . Laura Made It , Back Up Backdrops , and Betlem Calligraphy also had a hand in the design. Guests' names were penned on wooden blocks and strung from a structure for attendees to find.

Oars with Tags

A camp-inspired wedding wouldn't be complete without summertime-activity inspiration. This sign, which doubled as an escort card display, was constructed out of vintage oars. For even more customization, the bride handwrote the names.

Calligraphed Marble

Rather than paper, these guests' names were calligraphed by Anne Robin onto marble . The stone's pattern also made it onto the stationery suite.

Paint Brushes

A colorful, art-themed wedding practically requires creative escort cards like these. Paintbrushes dipped in paint, left to dry, and signed with guests names prompted attendees to match their brush to the color of the tablecloth at their table.

Hanging Cowbells

Let your seating cards serve as noisemakers and favors, too! These cowbells calligraphed with guests' names suited the couple's rustic wedding.

Potted Plants

Talk about a green thumb! For her escort cards, this bride registered for a special horticultural license to export Hoya kerrii plants from Thailand. The creative idea even inspired us to create our own plant tags .

Quartz Seating Cards

This jewelry designer bride's affinity for raw quartz inspired her genius escort cards by Bash Please .

File Cabinets

This old-school display consisted of index cards filed into card catalogs.

Shot Glasses

At this wedding, escort cards attached to copper shot glasses ensured that guests received a fun favor—and directions to their chairs. (An accompanying shot of Don Julio 1942 tequila was optional, but encouraged.)

The popular game "Cards Against Humanity" sparked this fun idea. While the fronts of the cards contained guests' names, the backs said only one word. Attendees had to try to match up the word with a prompt that was printed on a large card on each table. In case they got stuck, a small number was also provided.

Tagged Instruments

Wylie West Creative made these hand-painted wooden maracas, jingle sticks, and tambourines, which tripled as escort cards, favors, and noisemakers.

Paper Pineapples

Pick a shape you love—like pineapples—and use it for your seating cards!

Jungle Toys

Fun yet inexpensive were the two goals for this bride and groom's seating cards. They got both with this smart suggestion from wedding planner Jove Meyer . Plastic jungle animals tied to tags and grouped by table (elephants for one table, tigers for another, etc.) were easy and playful as can be.

Personalized Notebooks

Bands calligraphed with the guests' names marked these wood grain-covered journals from Field Notes. The table assignments were listed on the first page of the booklets.

Window Chart

For this crafty seating chart, a friend of the couple placed a piece of glass in a window frame that rested on an easel. The bride wrote guests' names with a white paint marker.

Ladder Display

Tag-shaped cards with guests' names and table numbers were strung between two ladders for a warm, rustic look.

Rather than relying on escort cards, this couple let guests find their tables (all named for constellations) on a star chart-style seating diagram.

Lawn Flamingos

At this all-pink wedding, guests found their tables in a maze of kitschy lawn flamingos that held calligraphed seating assignments.

Seed Packets

This couple, avid gardeners, added calligraphed tags from Laura Hooper Calligraphy to seed packets, which doubled as escort cards and wedding favors.

Lemon-Filled Display

A bumper crop of lemons in a Plexiglass case framed this couple's seating display.

Drink Flags

A flag motif appeared throughout this wedding—these Cheree Berry Paper escort cards (calligraphed by Arney Walker and placed in Champagne flutes) were just one iteration.

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In This Article

• Wedding Reception Seating Chart For All Types Wedding Themes

Wedding Reception Seating Chart Tips And Etiquette

• Wedding Party & Reception

Wedding Seating Chart Ideas For 2024 With Examples

Unless you’ve already planned a bunch of weddings it’s easy to underestimate how much of an impact your wedding seating chart can make to your reception. If you’re the type of person who likes a challenge, you’re going to have fun balancing making room for all your guests, allowing natural flow through the room, making it easy for your guests to identify their assigned space, and making the wedding reception seating chart match your theme.

Read on for seating chart basics and creative guidance for all types of wedding themes.

Quick Navigation

How do I make a seating chart for a wedding?

To make a seating chart for a wedding, create a list of guests and assign tables based on relationships and interests. Then, use creative displays like vintage frames or natural elements to showcase seating assignments.

Wedding Seating Chart Ideas For All Wedding Themes

When designing your seating charts, borrow queues from the immediate area just like these wedding seating chart examples.

Wedding Reception Seating Chart For Country Wedding

liliaflowerboutique via instagram

blossombaydesign via Instagram

The first piece of advice is to create a wedding seating chart poster that’s front and center for all your guests to see. Make your table cards equally accessible. For a country-themed reception seating stick with the definitions. Rural, unfinished, and specific to the area are the calling cards of the country style.

• Burned text on raw local wood. Find a large plank of gorgeously textured wood and write out the names and assignments using a wood-burning kit.
• Stretched leather and black ink. You don’t have to skin a hide yourself, but a large unfinished pelt will seem as though it came from the farm next door. Creating a wooden frame and handwriting names and assignments are a perfect DIY wedding seating chart project.
• Even destination weddings can indulge in a country theme since it’s defined as drawing from the local heritage. A Hawaiian ceremony, for example, can feature a transparent plexiglass box (where the writing sits) filled with luminous volcanic rock. Accompany this by table charts made from stone statues of Laka – the Hawaiian goddess of love.

Get your DIY materials here:

• Leather Pelt: Bed Bath & Beyond
• Live Edge Pine Slab: Lowes
• Volcanic Rock: Amazon
• Fibreglass Casing: Bed Bath & Beyond

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Seating Chart For Stylish Chic Wedding

designmill_co via Instagram

phuket_wedding_planner via Instagram

Next up in our series of wedding seating chart tips is to make a firm decision about the shape of your table and how many guests will be at each table.

Knowing how many people are sitting at each table really helps you plan where to seat your guests. If it’s a chic wedding theme you’re after, consider more tables and smaller groups so that conversations can be a bit more intimate.

Chic and stylish are a beautiful combination of trendy and trendsetting. Typically chic designs use time-tested elements with unique and creative spins, just like these table setting chart examples.

• Print your seating assignments on a sheet of metal like brushed aluminum or copper and set it on a delicate artist’s easel.
• Instead of one giant seating chart, choose an elegant frame for each table and hang them next to each other in an artistic arrangement.
• Many chic wedding themes feature generous use of lighting. Blend in your wedding seating chart decor by feature a plain, clean text backlight by LEDs.

Buy materials:

• Brushed Aluminum Sheet: China aluminum metal
• LED String Lights: Wish

Modern Wedding Seating Chart Ideas

The next step to creating successful wedding seating charts is to priorities your VIPs. You want your biggest fans as close as possible, which include both sets of parents, grandparents, and siblings. You also want your bridal party and their dates to sit nice and close too. Once you’ve coordinated their seats you can start to plan around them.

Modern wedding seating chart ideas take the ordinary and make it extraordinary. It can be something as simple as a wide board with your choice of fonts, or an everyday item artfully repurposed.

• Rent an oversized touchscreen or use a tablet that you already own. Simply have your guests type in their name which populates a screen showing an image of their table and highlights their seat. If you can spring for it, opt for facial recognition so that your guests can skip the name typing.
• For an outdoor wedding reception, set up a mock indoor space complete with an armchair, throw rug, and a bookshelf to house your seating plan.
• Use a printed map and name your tables as a state. For example, mom and dad will be assigned to the New York table while cousin Jesse and the party will be seated at the Chicago table.

Buy supplies:

• TouchScreen Rental: Oneworldrental
• Furniture Rental: EasyHome.com
• Printed Map: MapShop.com

Beach Wedding Seating Chart Examples

Once you have your VIPs seated, start filling the tables behind them. This is much easier if you break them into groups – distant relatives, work friends, etc.. – and ask your trusted advisors for some help. Making sure that everyone has a great seat and that each table has a good mix of old friends and new acquaintances is much easier as a group.

A beach wedding has the flexibility of being traditional, wild, and crazy, or anything in between. Whatever your choice of themes, it’s best to borrow from your surroundings.

• Stick a surfboard in the sand and write out your arrangements. It’ll be easy enough to find one that matches your color scheme.
• Adorn an arch with as many local plants and flowers as you can, and hang your table arrangements from a delicate string. This will look beautiful and natural as it flutters in the breeze.
• Write your wedding seating chart details in white on top of a slab of glass that sits on a thick wooden base. This looks natural by itself, but also allows it to blend in with natural surroundings.

Find materials here:

• Surfboard: surfstationstore.com
• Wicker Arch: Wayfair
• Glass Slab: fabglassandmirror

Vintage Seating Chart Ideas

heatherbengeofficial via Instagram

mymagicdreams via Instagram

Once your guests have found their tables, make it easy for them to confirm their seats with easy-to-find, easy-to-read Table Cards. These can be mini versions of the larger seating charts that you have out front. Or, they can be their own design so that it fits the table better. If you’re going this route, make sure that they integrate with your overall theme.

Vintage seating charts only work if you’re planning a wedding that draws from a specific era or decade. If this is your wedding theme of choice, you can have a lot of fun with your seating chart.

• Use an old window frame
• Use an old vintage suitcase. Open it up, stand it on its side, and decorate the inside.
• Find an old piece of wood and mount vintage kitchen knobs or vintage keys to hand the seating arrangements from.

For authenticity and the best bargain, head to your local thrift or antique store.

Whimsical Wedding Seating Chart

pasion_eventos via Instagram

Now that everyone has their seat, it’s time to think about Name Tags. Some think name tags are lame – you’re excused if you fit into that group – but a lot of your guests won’t know each other, and this is a really non-abrasive way to break the ice.

If your theme and design allow for it, try to make your table cards double as name tags your guests can pin to their tops.

A whimsical wedding theme is exactly how it sounds – a plunge into the odd and unexpected. Match your wedding seating chart template to your wedding theme by creating something eccentrically amusing.

• Indoor wedding? Bring a live tree inside and dangle the seating arrangements from the branches. This will look fantastic and force your guests to interact with the decor by poking through it to find their names and places.
• Create a wall of wine by mounting wine glasses to a garden wall. The glasses can either be stuffed with paper that carries seating instructions, or the glasses can be full of your best chardonnay with a label hanging from it.
• Fill balloons with helium and let them dance in the air as seating assignments dangle from each string. Not only will this force your guests’ eyes upwards to take in the entire venue, but the splash of color also makes for excellent wedding photos.

Get the stuff here:

• Decorative Tree: Wayfair
• Wine Glass Rack: Wayfair
• Bunch of Balloons: BargainBalloons

Seating Chart For Rustic Wedding

jennyyoonyc via Instagram

When creating your wedding seating chart make sure it’s at the front end of your wedding reception timeline . The first thing your guests should be doing is finding their seats, getting settled, and then socializing. Otherwise, you’ll have friends and family wandering around for far too long which throws off your speech, dance, and other timing.

Rustic weddings are fun to plan for. Use the same aesthetics in your wedding seating chart etiquette as you do for the rest of your ceremony and reception. Favor simplicity over beauty, and be proud of nature and Southern values.

• Repurposed pallets can be stood on their end and decorated with plants. Wood and greenery go great with the rustic look.
• Hang Horseshoes with attached seating tags from some weathered nails. This can be hung from a wall, but it’s best if you erect something temporary so that you’re not damaging anything.
• Write names and seating arrangements on the Old Door that’s placed front and center of your reception area entrance. This should blend into the “old barn” feel that you’ve established.

Get materials here:

• Wood Pallet: Businesses are constantly paying to get rid of these. Make a few calls and you can get one for free.
• Vintage Horseshoes: Etsy
• Old Door: Wayfair

Amazing Boho Seating Chart Ideas

jasmine_brida via Instagram

That’s all for how to do a wedding seating chart, but we have plenty more examples and resources for different styles and themes. Keep clicking or swiping to find the inspiration you need for your wedding seating charts.

The bohemian wedding style forms a firm connection with nature and draws from the hippy lifestyle of the 1960s.

• Adorn a Chalkboard with lace and other boho cues to create a simple yet elegant seating chart.
• Simulate the quintessential boho garland headpiece by decorating a Hula Hoop with feathers and flowers, and stringing the seating arrangements through its center.
• Stretch natural Burlap fabric over a base with alphabetized seating arrangements for a clean and simple design. For extra flavor, create a lace border.

Find DIY materials:

Seating Chart For Casual Wedding

jasmine_bridal via Instagram

Many couples choose to forego the glitz and glamor either to save a few dollars or to separate themselves from the fuss. Gowns, suits, menus, and decor are simplified in order to focus on the ceremony, the couple, and the company. These 3 wedding seating charts follow suit.

• Cut out the first letters of the bride and groom’s name. Post the bride’s guests’ info in her letter and do the same for the groom.
• Find the plainest Sign that you can. This can be a simple whiteboard atop a simple artist’s easel or posted on an easy-to-find wall.
• Make use of one of the most practical household items; a Corkboard. Pin your seating assignments and allow your guests to find their tables with ease.

Things to buy:

• Cut-out Letters: Amazon
• Plain Sign: Wayfair
• Corkboard: ULINE

Art-Deco Seating Charts

shawnayamamoto via Instagram

goodseedfloral via Instagram

If you’re not familiar with Art-Deco, think Great Gatsby. The style that swept Western design through the ’20s and ’30s is defined by strong geometric patterns and bold, contrasting colors. Use this style for your wedding theme for unmistakable decor.

• Create a simple board, but in the characteristic Gold and Black theme with art-deco fonts to match. Or, go with a classic Art-Deco print and write on top of that.
• Create a Geometric Archway where your guests will find their seating arrangements strung from.
• Collect 6-8 frames and paint them calling-card Gold to create one giant assemblage of frames.

Supplies for your theme:

• Art Deco Printed Board: Wayfair
• Art Deco Archway: Amazon
• Painted Frames: Indigo

Eco-Friendly Wedding Seating Chart

Eco-friendly is a way of life, not just a design theme. If this sounds like you, your decor of choice will have to have a 0-waste policy and should have some connection with nature.

• Burn your guests’ names and details into the ends of Wood Logs. This looks great, easy to find, easy to read, and when you’re done you can create a lovely bonfire to sit around.
• Etched Stones make a beautiful eco-friendly wedding seating chart. It’s best if you can find large stones that are naturally polished, they’re much easier to read than small rough stones.
• Reclaimed and Reused is just as good as zero-waste sometimes, which makes an Open Ladder a perfect seating chart option. Choose a few rungs at eye level to represent a table.

The great thing about eco-friendly designs, they’re mostly free! As long as you have a saw, wood logs are mother nature’s gift. The same goes with stones, and it’s very likely you already have access to an old ladder. Put a little time and effort into these little projects and they’ll look like a million bucks.

DIY Wedding Seating Chart

joyproctor via Instagram

Some couples prefer DIY to save a few dollars, and some feel a sense of genuine pride working as a team and completing a project. Whichever version describes you, these 3 wedding seating chart examples are gorgeous, easy, and low-cost.

• Write your guests’ details on a ьirror. Try to make sure the frame matches your theme, and make sure to practice your calligraphy before attempting the final product.
• Choose an assortment of Planters and hand-craft your guests’ cards to sit inside like feeding instructions. Take it a step further by creating homemade shelves or platforms for them to sit on, or create a giant planter that sits on the ground.
• Create a lattice wedding seating chart where simple cards sit in a nice arrangement. This is great for outdoor, rustic, and casual-themed weddings.
• Mirror: Bouclair
• Planters: Walmart
• Lattice: Wayfair

missstellayork via Instagram

To make your life simple and your wedding seating charts a great success, just follow the advice we listed above.

• Choose your overall wedding theme first, your charts and cards should match.
• Create your entire guest list so you know how many people you have to accommodate, then decide on a table shape/size so you know how many guests a single table can handle.
• Place your VIPs upfront, and break the rest of your tables into groups to make their experience social and fun.
• Make sure your seating chart is immediately visible when your guests enter the venue so they don’t have to walk around looking for it. Place table cards at their seats so they can confirm they have it right.
• Work your seating chart into your overall wedding timeline and budget so you know what you can afford and have enough time to do it right.

Like everything else on your wedding planning to-do list, a wedding seating chart becomes simple and beautiful if you put in a little research and planning ahead of time. We hope that these samples triggered your imagination and that our guidance inspires you to create the wedding of your dreams.

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