What are place cards & escort cards?

Place cards and escort cards are not the same thing, so it's good that you asked this question. Either card will tell the guest where they are seated at the reception, but one is more specific and formal than the other.

A place card tells each guest what table they've been seated at, but it goes one step further; it tells the guest which particular seat has been reserved in their honor.

An escort card is usually placed on a large table, easily accessible to guests as they enter the reception venue. The escort card tells the guest the table number at which they've been seated (along with their spouse or guest). The guests are free to choose whatever seats at that designated table appeal to them.

Unless you're hosting a true black tie wedding (and lots of brides on WW believe they are, but aren't), escort cards (table number card) are perfectly acceptable.

And while you have a big seating chart to attend to, a 200 plus guest wedding will flow flawlessly with escort cards.

Just please, don't do open seating.

@rachel I think assigned seats are fine even if it's not black tie. Our favors are marble coasters with people's names on the and part of their table setting so even tho it isn't black tie, we still need to designate specific seats for people.

You're allowed to designate seats if you don't have a black tie event, Jessica. You're OK!

Jessica, hey, that's fine...no problem. It sounds wonderful, and it would probably be something I'd really appreciate. I've been around wedding planning for a looooong time, and most couples hate the seating chart assignment.

Technically speaking, place cards are typically a requirement at very formal, black tie weddings. Most couples hate the seating chart assignment. Escort cards beat open seating (which, in my experience, is not something guests like). But hey, if you're doing place cards, more power to you. I just don't want the OP to think she has to get into that level of detail, because she doesn't.

I'm with Rachel. If you want to do it, that's technically ok. You don't have to though. : )

I'm having both. The escort card will provide the guests their table number and then at the table each guest will have a place card at their place setting. An easy way to remember the difference is in the name itself: "escort" guides the guest and "place" places the guest at their seat.

Designating specific seats would be a big pain in the butt, so we are assigning tables only. I don't want to force people to sit next to anyone at their table. They should be able to move around a bit.

Lol people actually tell guests where they can sit at a table? I think that's a little unnecessary. I've never seen that at any wedding.