You’re planning a wedding and you need table cards for guests… but you don’t want to wait until the last minute. So, when should you order place cards for wedding receptions? We’ll tell you!
In this article, you’ll learn the five DOs and DONTs about cards including when to order wedding place cards.
To be honest, the answer may surprise you, as it is likely way earlier than you anticipated.
However, there’s a method to the madness and we’ll tell you everything you need to know including whether or not you need table place cards, where to buy them, and how they are used.
(TIP: Wondering what they are / why they’re needed? Sure thing: table place cards are the folded cards that are placed at each seat; the card indicates whose seat it is.)
We’re also sharing our favorites from the collection at Minted, where they offer many color palettes and designs to coordinate with your style. You can even shop by color, season, style… all of it. So easy!
Let’s get started!
Where + When To Order Place Cards for Wedding
Here are some helpful tips before you order place cards.
1. DON’T wait too long to order your place cards.
The answer to when should you order wedding place cards? As soon as possible!
There are two reasons for this:
1. Save money on shipping
If you buy table place cards with other wedding details, you will save money on shipping.
2. Order your cards on time
In addition, you’ll save time. When you order place cards early, you won’t have to wait for the cards to print and ship while you’re nervously checking the tracking number a week before the wedding.
Many couples wait too long to buy table place cards for their wedding; they wait until the final headcount is due to the caterer, then purchase their day-of details. However, this may be cutting it too close.
Instead, we recommend you buy place cards in bulk early on, even as soon as your invitations are ordered.
Arrange your cards.
This means you’ll want to:
• Order place cards for ALL guests.
Yes, you’ll be ordering your wedding place cards for all invited guests.
Be sure to order one (1) card per guest.
Although it is unlikely 100% of your guests will be able to attend (here’s how many guests to expect), you’ll already have all the cards you need well before the wedding date.
• Organize.
As guests send in their RSVPs, organize your cards right away.
Eliminate the table place cards of those who decline, and keep the cards for those expected to attend.
• Arrange your tables.
Then, arrange your table seating charts and put the proper cards in stacks so they’re easy to place at your wedding when the big day arrives.
It is especially important to buy table place cards for weddings early THIS year since weddings are back in full force after closures due to COVID last year.
Many couples will be hurrying to order items to arrive on time, so you should order place cards for your wedding as early as you can to ensure delivery on time.
2. DO plan on having place cards if you want to assign seats.
You will want to assign your guests to a table for sure. Whether you choose to give them a specific seat at the table is up to you, but we think it’s a great idea to have place cards.
Here’s why: do you remember the last time you arrived at a wedding and there was a seat waiting for you? Isn’t it more special than arriving at a table, trying to hold a seat with your purse and the one next to you with your jacket and… yeah, saving seats is sort of a pain in the you-know-what.
But with table cards, you’ve done the guesswork for your loved ones and the seats are already all picked out and “saved” for them! They can head to the bar without having to place their purse on a chair just to keep it saved. ;)
Plus, there’s something special and welcoming about it. The place has been set aside for you, an expected guest. It’s a nice warm welcome.
However, it is OK to forego place cards for wedding seats IF you wish for guests to choose any seat at that particular table. It’s your wedding, so whatever you decide is right for you — that works, too!
3. DON’T forget escort / table seating cards.
If you assign seats at wedding tables, you need escort cards aka table seating cards for guests to find their seats. This can be done with cards like this or a seating chart.
Either option is placed at the entryway of your reception and has the same function: tell guests at which table they are will be seated.
4. DO get printed table place cards.
Unless you plan to get blank place cards like these and use stellar penmanship (and a quality pen like this), printed place cards will look exceptional and pull the look together nicely.
It is best to get printed table place cards done for you so you don’t have to write the names yourself. You can get them here. Just upload the guest list and the names are printed onto table cards for you.
5. DO coordinate with other day-of stationery.
The table setting cards are an opportunity to add a decorative flair to your place settings. As such, be sure to coordinate the look of your place cards with your decor in some way.
This can be accomplished with colors, your theme, your monogram, or all of the above. It’s easy to mix and match your day-of stationery pieces here.
Where to Buy Place Cards for Wedding
You can shop place card ideas here! We love the collection at Minted and they always offer fantastic, on-trend styles that coordinate with their save the dates, invitations, programs, menus, and more.
• Shop here!
Now, on to you:
Does this timeline surprise you? Were you planning to order place cards for your wedding much later?
Or did you already know what kind of place cards you’ll need and when to order them?
Tell us any questions you have in the comment box below. We’re here to help!
Happy Planning!
xo
Emma
This is in partnership with Minted.
