Poster Seating Chart: alphabetical order or by table number

Alphabetical would be much easier/faster because guess would be able to find their name faster. Table numbers are cool as well but a guest could look at every single table before they even find theirs.

Definitely alphabetical, especially if you have 100 or more guests

Alphabetical is definitely easiest for you and your guests, especially if you have a large guest list!

Definitely alphabetical if you are going to do a poster. However, have you thought about escort cards? I got a pack of printable tented Avery cards for about $10 and then they provide free templates online. Took about 20 minutes to do and printed at home. Guests can then grab their cards off a table (arranged in alphabetical order) and be on their way. People can also get them at different times, which decreases traffic around the area, and because they can take them with them, no risk of forgetting table assignment and having to go back.

View Quoted Comment Would it be weird to do alphabetical by first name?

Alphabetical if you have more than like 75 guests/7 tables. Otherwise it will take too long for guests to find name. Traditionally by last name (easier bc families/people with the same last name don't have to individually look for their first name, since last names will all be right next to each other) If you REALLY wanted to do it by first name it wouldn't be the end of the world, but by last name is what is expected

View Quoted Comment That would be an equal hassle to listing them by tables. Organize by last name.

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Last name might be easier/faster, but I don't see a problem with doing first names!

View Quoted Comment What do you think about alphabetical by first name.

View Quoted Comment Unfortunately I dont have everyones last name. Its mostly FHs friends. I ask him to get me info and he doesn’t do it. So what would be the best recommendation?

View Quoted Comment Assign everyone to a table. You can’t do anything with it until the reply due date when numbers are finalized. In the meantime you can arrange people to each table. Then when you get the last names..tell fiancé you need this now.. you plug them in and arrange alphabetically by last name. Because you may have a million Keith’s and Brandon’s and Aaron’s in your group nd no way to tell them apart otherwise.


This is why people go with escort cards instead of a poster because the cards are easier and cheaper to rearrange at the last minute.

Im down to the wire. I have already followed up on Rsvps. The deadline has passed. The wedding is in 10 days. FH seriously isnt doing anything to help even if I demand it Now.


The only reason why Im shying away from escort cards is because I dont feel like I have the space for an extra table next to the welcome table. But I already have a big floor length easel for a poster. But I will consider it.

View Quoted Comment ^^ i tried to reply to you.

View Quoted Comment That sucks I am so sorry he isn’t helping out. Do the best you are able and hopefully it all works out.

View Quoted Comment Yes. Hes a pain in the butt. Hes even supposed to pick our first dance song because he’s complaining he doesn’t like the songs I pick. Does he pick a song? No. I told him we are going to do our first dance to the Cha Cha slide if he doesn’t pick something. But at the end of the day Im going to get it done regardless.

View Quoted Comment I think it’s best to go by last name since you will use more of the alphabet that way. Like, a huge chunk of your guest list could be under the A’s if you go by first name. But if you spread it out by last name, most likely your guests will be spread out through the alphabet

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This may seem silly, but does he have these people on social media? Can you get their last names from there?

If you absolutely have no other options then you can go by first name, but you may have the issue that there's two Brian's or whoever and there's no way to tell the two apart.

View Quoted Comment Its not silly. I have actually stalked a few people to figure out their names on Facebook. Except most are on instagram and much harder to find or to get info based on their page.


I had an idea for those who dont have a last name. Most of them are attending with a plus one. So for an example I was thinking to put Brian & Amanda under B. That way they can kind of figure out a little easier which Brian because they know for sure its them. We don’t have many repeat names. And definitely no repeat names of the full couple.

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At this point while it might not be "proper" if that's all you've got and your FH isn't doing his part then I'd do it that way to be able to check it off of your list. Hang in there!

View Quoted Comment Based on our crowd the “proper wedding etiquette” is out the window. Lol no one cares. But yes definitely a way to check it off my list.