It’s time for a new Ask Emmaline question: how to make my own seating chart! This comes to us from Dani who wants to attempt a little DIY, but isn’t sure if a seating chart is an easy one to tackle. She writes,
“Hi Emmaline, I want to do something for my wedding crafty-wise, but I’m not sure what to tackle. Favors? Make my own seating chart? Welcome sign? I’m not very design-oriented. What do you suggest for a bride who wants a small do-it-yourself project on a budget? Thanks!”
Hi Dani, thanks for writing! Great question! Favors are always a good place to start, but they can be time-consuming. A welcome sign requires pretty good hand-lettering with chalk, or paint, so we usually recommend you outsource that to the pros. :) However, you can make your wedding seating chart pretty easily thanks to a fun project we recently spotted at Penny Lane Stationery.
Known for her super-easy printable templates, Morgaine is a pro at helping DIYers get rolling on wedding projects. She’s more than happy to help you out with your design (if you run into any questions or anything!) but she makes it easy to do at home. One of our favorite printables from her shop is the wedding seating chart, particularly this style:
Isn’t this gorgeous?
This wedding seating chart is easy to make yourself because you buy the design file and then edit the template yourself.
Add your guest names to the proper tables, print, cut them out and display however you’d like. Now, here’s where your DIY really shines: decide how you’d like to display it! You can string the seating chart as shown with wire (use crafting metal wire in a net style, like this) and a wood frame; that’s pretty easy material-wise to get at a local hardware or craft store. Add greenery like eucalyptus from here or floral swag from here, just two suggestions!
If you prefer, you can use a framed cork board like this (they now make cork in white, framed!) and cute pins to attach; done!
Or this linen cork board, framed, would look really nice at the wedding (and afterward at home, score!) By Kate and Laurel.
Minted also offers printed cork boards, which are really fun for wedding welcome tables. Try something like this (design by PaperDahlia):
And of course, you can get a printable seating chart in a large poster-like style from here and place on a simple easel, which your reception site may already have available to rent. Easy, peasy.
You can find these easy printables in the shop at PennyLaneStationery. Morgaine is amazing to work with! :)
Hope it helps! Thanks, Dani, for writing!
xo
Emma
