I'm on a quest to standardize the industry speak when it comes to guest seating.  Why?  Because there's immense confusion with regard to the smallest of wedding items.  What is this I speak of?  It's the whole escort card vs. place card debate.  What is an escort card as opposed to a seating card?  Well, let me tell you...I spend a lot of time explaining the difference.

Basically -- here's your 101 on this very necessary part of your stationery trousseau.  Later, we'll get into escort card DISPLAYS -- but today, we'll just focus on how to tell your guests where to find their chair for their tushes. 

The terms are not interchangeable but are used in such a way by designers as to cause some confusion.    Think of it like this:

• An Escort Card *escorts* the guest to their table
• A Place Card *places* the guest in a seat at the table

Escort Card (aka Seating Cards / Seating Chart):

papersource.com

Most typical form is in an envelope with the guest name on the front and a small card inside that states the table that the guest is seated.  This is a necessary piece of stationery if you're seating your guests for dinner and want to mandate which table to sit at.

Can also be a tent card with the name on the front and the table number on the inside or can be something more unique such as a few of on the board below. 

As long as you're telling your guests where to go both literally & figuratively, you've got an escort card.  Below you will find some unique card styles including an escort card chalkboard.   These are typically found at the cocktail party or at the entry to dinner.   

What I love about this mix of cards is that you can see -- there's no right or wrong way to present the information - as long as it's done creatively.  And just a note from experience -- lining them up in rows on a table outside + wind = escort card litter all over the cocktail party.

Placecards (aka Place Cards, Place Setting Cards):

papersource.com

This is not a necessary piece of stationery - you can live without it *IF* you are not offering a choice of entree to the guests in the invitation which has to be specified to the caterer at time of service.  To speed service, place cards are indicated on the place setting & would indicate what the guest has chosen to eat for dinner.  This card typically simply has the first name of the guest for seating instead of the more formal Mr. and Mrs (this obviously depends on the formality of your wedding).  Check out the example below.

Images by: merrimentdesign, favorideas.com, darlingdarlene, marthastewart.com

thedazzlingdetails.com, marthastewart.com, thedazzlingdetails.com , marthastewart.com

So, now ya know... my work here is done!

Comments

[Lias]

Many brides don't know the difference. Hopefully this will clear up any confusion!!

[jessica@StellaEventDesign]

Thanks so much for this! You did a great job of explaining this, and I have the same issue with having to explain this to brides---I can't wait to pass this along to my readers---love this new blog, I'm so glad I came across it!

[k* to the b*]

this is so helpful! Thank you! i had no idea there was a difference. now it gives me a bunch of ideas.