Seating Charts vs Escort Cards | Which Should you Choose for Your Wedding
Updated: Mar 24
Can't decide if you should use a seating chart or escort cards for your wedding? We're breaking down the pros and cons of each option to help you make a decision. First things first, what is the difference between a seating chart and escort cards?
What's the Difference?
A seating chart lists all of your guests' names in either alphabetical order or in table number order (we suggest alphabetical order so it's easier for your guests to find their names), typically displayed on a board, mirror, frame, or windowpane. When guests arrive from the ceremony, they will look for their last name to check which table number they are at.
Escort cards have your guest's name and table number written on a piece of paper or an item that relates to your wedding theme or style.
Pros + Cons
Seating Charts
Pros:
DIY and save money
Environmentally-friendly
Save the chart as a keepsake or display it in your home
Rent a seating chart so it's one less wedding item to add to your clutter
They don't require much work or set up (just lean it against a wall or on an easel)
Cons:
Writing can be hard to read
Takes awhile for guests to find their names
People tend to crowd around the chart which backs things up
Guests forget which table they're at and have to go back to look at the chart again (and again for some lol)
If you're not saving the chart as a keepsake, it is wasteful
Escort Cards
Pros:
Easy for guests to remember their table number since it is written on the cards
Lots of opportunities to tie your escort cards into your wedding theme or style (seashells for a beach wedding, wood slices for a rustic wedding, etc)
Escort cards can double as décor
Escort cards can also be a wedding favor
Cons:
Escort cards can be wasteful if they are not multi-purpose
They can be a lot of work; they need to be placed on the escort card table in either alphabetical or table number order
Our Favorites
Seating Charts
Escort Cards
If you choose to use escort cards, Jessica of The Jess Press suggests choosing a card that guests can take with them to help prevent waste. Choosing something that matches the theme of your wedding and/or wedding venue like wood or agate slices, sand dollars or oysters, or flowers are great options that can double as keepsakes. Whichever you decide to use for your wedding-- a seating chart or escort cards, keep your theme, functionality, and your wedding venue in mind. And if you can't decide, calligrapher and owner of Adorn Market, Erika says, "My favorite is combining the two together! Styling place cards onto the mirror with wax seals is a great way to get the best of both worlds, make a statement and easily help your guests find their assigned seat." We hope this helps and we can't wait to see your beautiful seating charts and escort cards!