A Complete Guide to Wedding Signs (Part3): Eleven Signs for Your Reception
Rounding up this three part series on wedding signage today with where the party is really at: the reception!
Your signage will of course depend on your venue, style and budget, but I've thought of every sign I possibly could for your reception! These will help your guests feel welcomed and the party to hit the perfect tone.
I've listed eleven different signs you might want, as well as DIY posts (if you decided to go the crafty route!), beautiful signs to purchase, and a link to my Pinterest board for more inspiration!
If you want some help with deciding on your budget, time and style,I can help you out here or if you're looking for the signs you need at your ceremony, I've got ya covered here.
DIY: Watercolor Copper Accented Escort Cards from The Tabitha Shop
1. Escort Cards
Ok, this may be one of the most tricky parts of your wedding signage: knowing the difference between escort cards and place cards. I'll make it easy for you: escort cards escort your guests to their tables. Place cards are already on the table to mark your guest's spot.
You may choose to opt out of this one, depending on how you're arranging your seating, but in case you do want to help your guests out, I've got a few ideas for you...
DIY // Purchase // Inspiration
Purchase: Wedding Table Plan by Moon and Tide
2. Seating Arrangement
Again, whether or not you have a seating arrangement will depend on your venue and style of wedding. But after looking at this stunning piece from Moon and Tide, I would probably decide to have one. ;)
Need some ideas?
DIY // Purchase // Inspiration
Or, if you've got a casual vibe going on for your wedding, you may want your guests to sit wherever they so choose! In which case, I have a few more ideas for you.
DIY // Purchase // Inspiration
Purchase: Laser Cut Wooden Names by The Beeze Knees
3. Place Cards
Ok, we are almost out of the woods with this whole table signage business. The last thing you want to consider is if you want to use place cards at the tables. After your guests have picked up their escort card or checked the seating arrangement board, they will now know where at the table you'd like for them to sit.
This process could certainly get exhausting (and stressful - what if you don't want one person to interact with another one?) so this may be more practical for you at the rehearsal dinner or for smaller weddings.
Here are a few pretties to look at if you'll be going the place card route...
DIY // Purchase // Inspiration
DIY: Signature Drinks Menu Printable by Little But Pretty
4. Drink menu
Make sure to let your guests know what you're serving! If you'll be serving alcohol at the reception, a cute little sign at the bar will inform your guests what they can sip on while they party the night away.
DIY // Purchase // Inspiration
Purchase: Wooden Table Numbers by the Duo Studio
5. Table Numbers
Get their guests to their tables! Of course, this will depend largely on whether or not you use a seating arrangement. For more casual seating, you can still include this lovely bouquet or something sentimental to you.
A few ideas?
// Purchase // Inspiration
Or download some free printable ones here!
Purchase: Menu by The Tabitha Shop
6. Menu
A perfect touch for your table if you are about as excited about the meal as you are about the dancing, these menus let your guests know what culinary delights await them!
7. Mr. & Mrs chair signs
Oh, I wish we had done this at our wedding! I absolutely love these "mr" and "mrs" chair signs, delicately hung on the back of your chair. They make for beautiful photos of you and your (now!!) hubs sitting in a chair with your friends surrounding you while feasting. How special and sweet! You could do a "mr" and "mrs" or "better" and "together" or "his forever" and "her only". You've got lots of options!
If you'd like some ideas, I've got a few for ya...
DIY // Purchase // Inspiration
Purchase: Eat Cake Sign by Chalk in Hand
8. Food/dessert table
Your catering company will most likely take care of any signs for food if it's needed. If you're serving up the meal in your mom's kitchen, then a few signs indicating the food may be helpful.
The dessert table is definitely the most fun for signs. You can get playful with desserts and if you're pulling together an ice cream/candy bar, make sure to let your guests know all the ingredients available to them!
DIY // Purchase // Inspiration
Purchase: Favor sign by Flora South Design
9. Party favors
If you opt to thank your guests for coming with some favors, make sure to let them know to grab them! Your signage will vary for your favors (we left ours on the table for guests to take home), but here is some inspiration for you...
DIY // Purchase // Inspiration
DIY: Wedding Hashtag Printable by Save and Print
10. Hashtag Sign
Welcome to the 21st century where we hashtag our weddings - and I love it. How fun to scroll through your personalized hashtag and see your wedding through your guest's eyes! These signs will help your guests know where to add that picture of your niece and nephew swinging their arms to "Ring of Fire" by Johnny Cash while holding hands on the dance floor.
DIY // Purchase // Inspiration
Inspiration: photo by the Reason via Ruffled Blog
11. Photo booth
Last (but definitely still important!) to think about with your wedding signs is your photo booth! If you have hired a company to set up for you, they may already have a sign for you. But, if you want a personalized touch, set up a pretty way to guide your guests to that booth.
DIY // Inspiration
I hope this guide was helpful for you! Do you have any other signs you'd include in this guide? Comment below! I'd love to hear from you. Otherwise, happy planning!