Individual Escort Cards or Large Poster?

I think both work and if you're looking for cheaper go with the cheapest option.

I think I'm going to do cheap picture frames for each table with a list of names for that table. Then a cheap frame with the table number on the table. Cheap, cute (customizable), and effective!

Whatever you do the guests will get the point.

I definitely think you can skip the escort cards since you're doing the table numbers. Normally escort cards or assigned seats are for when you're having a plated meal.

I think the cheaper method would depend on how you're making the escort cards/easel, but we are printing our own escort cards on cardstock using a free printable template. For us, I think that will be cheaper than buying one or several large boards to display. More time-consuming, but cheaper. I also favor the individual cards because you can alphabetize them, which makes it easier for your guests to find their names.

I love the easel idea! I've only been to one wedding who had this done and thought it was brilliant. They had their engagement picture in the middle with the names in alphabetical order around the picture. I would totally do this for mine if I was having a formal reception.

Oh yeah, I would not do it by table number just because it would take forever trying to find your name...

I think the big poster is a new(ish) trend. Probably more cost efficient, although if you hand-write simple escort cards that's probably not a big expense. I ordered 200 blank escort cards for $16 and will be hand-writing them. Ordered them here: http://www.lcipaper.com/blank-business-cards.html

Here is why I suggest escort cards -

While they may be a little more money, they certainly are easier for your guests.

1. When a guest picks up an escort card, they take it to their table, and they pick their seat, leaving the escort card. If you had a chart, they would no-longer be able to leave the card, thus, having to leave a personal item if they want to mingle and claim a seat.

2. People have crappy memories when being bugged by family and friends. Case in point - Look at seating chart, "oh I am at table 6." - start looking for table 6. Uncle Bob sees me, "hey how are you" "good" - "lets grab a drink" "ok" blah blah blah. Time to grab my seat.. "oh crap, forgot what table I am supposed to sit at." "let me look at my escort card in my pocket" OH I don't have one, back to the front to the chart.

3. If you are having a plated meal, you can color code it some way to let the wait staff know what meal the guests are having. Like a black card for chicken, white card for fish. Or even a colored sticker/jewel in a corner.

4. Escort cards are also an easy way for you to figure out which of your friends and family DID NOT SHOW UP. I know this has no actual weight on the wedding itself, but, if the card is still on the table at the end of the night, I get to know what jerk just cost me money by rsvping and not showing up.

I'm doing the escort cards because it is cheaper for me. I found these cute escort cards at the dollar store. It was $1 for a pack of 40. I just need to write the names and table #s on there and then I'm good to go.

We have printed escort cards using Avery business cards. I like the cards better because you can display them in so many ways and they can be cheaper.

As a guest I prefer escort cards. I think Pezzy wonderfully summed up the reasons!

We are planning on doing a large poster as well, since we are doing buffet so that plated meal theory doesn't apply to us. You can print them very cheaply at Office Max.

BIG FYI: If you are doing a poster/chalk board/computer monitor for this make sure it is LARGE ENOUGH to read and EASY to read because people will bottleneck like they are missing a viewing of the Queen of England.

The last wedding I attended began outside where we had to sit in the sun. When we came into the reception hall their seating chart as displayed on a 36" computer monitor. No one could see it because we were all experiencing sun glare. The elders were fumbling for glasses because they could not see the small, scripted font either. So what happened? 200 guests bottlenecked at the patio and BLOCKED the kitchen entrance. People would not move either...it was ridiculous. It took almost 30 minutes of seat shuffling and running back and fourth to the monitor before everyone was seated.

We are doing escort cards... They were given to us for free from the Country Club where the wedding is. We bought cute little stampers and stamped little leaves on them.

I like both, but I will tell you if you do the poster board style and they're organized by table number (ie: table 1 listed first, table 2 etc) it will take longer for people to find, as they don't know what table they are at.

If you do place cards, they generally get placed alphabetically, so people know how to find themselves.

I much prefer escort cards, but if you're going for the cheaper option I think the big chart may be better for you. Just make sure it is easy to read and easy for guests to find their names.