What is the wedding place card size, and does every guest need a place card? What is the point of place cards at weddings? We’re tackling all of your most asked place card questions in this blog post. Read on for the answers + subscribe for more fun to your inbox!
If you are using place cards at your wedding, keep in mind these five important facts BEFORE you buy yours. Today we’re answering seven of your most-asked questions on wedding place cards. These questions include:
• What size are wedding place cards?
• How much do place cards cost?
• Do you need place card holders?
• Does every guest need one?
• Do wedding place cards have surnames?
… and more!
Finally, we’ll show you where to buy the best place cards for weddings.
Who knew there was so much to learn about seating cards? :)
If it has to do with place cards, we’re on it!
Let’s get started!
Wedding Place Card Size + More
First, what is a place card and why do you need one?
A place card — not to be mistaken by an escort card, which is an entirely different item — functions to show guests which seat to take at a table. The place card is set at individual place settings, whereas the escort cards are put on an entry table for guests to take at the entrance of the reception.
As a rule of thumb, an escort card shows guests which table is theirs; a place card is specifically used for the seat at that table. (Read: Do I Need Escort Cards AND Place Cards?)
1. What size are wedding place cards?
What is the standard wedding place card size? The standard wedding place card size is 3.5″ x 2″.
2. How much do place cards cost?
The cost of place cards for weddings varies depending on where you purchase yours. If you plan to make do-it-yourself place cards for weddings, you’ll need to purchase plain or decorative cards like these and then hand-write them or put them through a printer with your guest names. Although DIY wedding place cards may sound appealing and save money, in the long run it may end up costing equal to the cost of getting them made due to the cost of paper, ink, and the time it takes to put it all together.
Buy them blank…
… or get them printed!
Most place cards that are designed, printed on standard cardstock is anywhere from $0.70 to $0.65 per card (for high quality). This comes out to approximately $175 for 100 place cards to $136 for 200 of them (based on pricing from here).
As with most stationery or paper goods, the larger the quantity you buy, the less it costs per piece.
3. Do you need place card holders?
Buying place card holders is a personal preference. Some people love the look of a place card holder. Others can go without and use the tented feature on standard place cards to allow them to stand up on their own.
If you’re having an outdoor wedding reception where the cards are likely to blow around, I recommend place card holders. If you like the look, and you can swing it with your budget, I also recommend them. But if you can do without and you’re not a huge fan of another cost, I recommend standing the cards up on their own and skipping the holder.
If you DO want to purchase place card holders, the best advice is to not overspend and make sure the holders coordinate with your decor. Here are a few examples.
Place Card Holders
You can buy affordable place card holders with a silver base like this from here:
Go rustic with these mini wood place card holders available here:
Love more of an antique style? Opt for these holders from here:
Modern style: choose a low acrylic base for your place card holders, like these:
4. Does every guest need a place card?
If you’re using place cards, then yes, every guest will need one. Try to find out the names of any plus-ones before the wedding, so you can personalize the card with his or her name. It works much better than “and guest” when they take their card. ;)
Now, do you need place cards? Well, that depends. You definitely need escort cards OR a seating chart to show guests where to be seated. Having seating assignments makes everything more organized, guests feel more welcome, and you can decide who should sit with whom. This makes dinner conversation lively; guests have more fun being seated with other guests with whom they’ll find interesting or have things in common. (Read: Should You Assign Seating at a Wedding Reception?)
If you choose to have assign seats but guests can sit freely at any seat within that table, then you can skip place cards. But you’ll still need those escort cards: you can get them here.
5. Do wedding place cards have surnames?
Should you include surnames on place cards? Yes! Absolutely, 100%. A surname is also known as the last name. Things can get pretty confusing if there are guests with the same first name. ;) Including surnames on place cards is the correct way to properly word your place cards. If you wish to skip it, you can! But in my humble opinion, including surnames is always the best way to go.
6. What kind of paper do you use for place cards?
If you’re wondering what paper to use for place cards, it is cardstock. You want a thick enough cardstock so the place card can stand upright on its own. If you’re using place card holders, cardstock is still your best choice because it will stand vertical without looking and feeling flimsy. For weddings, cardstock is always the most appropriate paper to use for wedding place cards.
7. Should place cards be handwritten or printed?
This is up to you! If you have good penmanship and wish to make your own place cards, you can order them blank and fill them in yourself. If you plan to do so, I recommend three things: first, you will want to order them from a reputable source. I recommend Minted for nice quality place cards, like these, all designed to suit your style, color palette, and theme with ease. Second, use this pen when you write, as it has a nice ultra-fine point tip that makes writing easier AND won’t smudge or bleed through the paper.
Thirdly, order extras! Mistakes in writing and spelling of names will happen and you’ll be prepared with a stash of extras, just in case. :)
Many people do not want to make their own place cards or hand-write them because it is time-consuming and difficult if you do not have nice handwriting. For this, and for anyone who wants to cross another task from the long wedding to-do list, I recommend going with Minted when you purchase place cards because you can get free printing of guest names on the place cards INCLUDED. How amazing is that?!
There’s no rule that states you have to have handwritten cards, so printing them is just as nice. Take advantage of it!
To find place cards for your wedding now is the time: head to this page to browse the collection of place cards and escort cards. You can sort by theme, venue style, season, and so much more! You can edit them easily here.
I hope it helps!
On to you: what other questions do you have on place cards for weddings? Tell us in the comment box below and we’ll swoop in to help!
Happy Planning!
xo
Emma
This is a sponsored post.
