Showing posts with label Menu Cards. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Menu Cards. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 27, 2025

The Signs you Actually NEED at a Wedding

 

There are only a few signs that you actually must have at a wedding.  But other signs can be helpful for guests and add to the decor and ambiance of the event. 

Here is your comprehensive list of wedding signs to consider for your big day:

Table Number Signs are a must if you are having a dinner with assigned seating, as most weddings do nowadays. Keep in mind these signs don't have to be actual numbers and are a chance to reflect the interests and personality of the couple. Interested in travel? Name your tables after places you've visited. Love to read? Name that tables after your favorite novels. Tables can be labeled anything to go with a theme!

 


Escort Cards are the other big must, since people need to know where to sit. Traditionally, these are the little seating cards that direct guests to their tables. E.G. Mr. and Mrs. John Smith, Table 5. The escort cards can create a lovely visual display, though some couples are now opting for a seating chart that lists everyone's table assignments on one large decorative sign.

 


Programs are the typical place to include descriptions of ceremony customs, bridal party names, a thank you to guests, post-ceremony instructions, and an in memoriam to departed family. But if your ceremony is pretty short and sweet, the programs can certainly be skipped. If you do plan for programs, you don't need one for every guest. We always see so many programs left over because guests tend to share or don't pick one up. Order enough for around 60-70% of your guest count.

 

Menu Cards can add some visual appeal to the tablescape but are not necessary in most cases when guests have already chosen their meal in advance.

 


Welcome Signs are an optional addition, but they can be very helpful to guests. Consider the layout of your venue. If there are multiple entrances or more than one event going on, the welcome sign can serve as a guide to indicate that guests are in the right spot or lead them to where they need to go.

 


Bar Signs are useful if you plan to have a signature drink to let guests know the specialties that they can order.

 


Gifts & Cards signs can be helpful if you have an unusual cardbox that doesn't look like a cardbox. 

 

Guestbook Signs can also help guests figure out what to do if you have an atypical guestbook.

 

Hashtag or QR Code Signs have gained popularity as couples want to inform guests how they can share photos that they take at the event. 

 


Favor Signs let guests know to take a party favor and can include a cute saying to go with what the favor is.

 


Family Photo Signs that label who people are on memory tables or in photo displays can help guests feel connected to the important people in your life.


Which signs do you plan to use for your wedding? Let us know in the comments!

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Caroline & Zach: Stylish Grandeur

I love working with a bride from the very beginning of the planning process to help ideas blossom and then bring them to life. When my bride Caroline told me that she loved interior design, I knew that the style and decor of the wedding would be super important. Caroline had the extra challenge of planning from out-of-town! Thank goodness for modern technology, allowing us to exchange photos and ideas on Pinterest. The end result was a flawless evening of grandeur and fun. Check out the gorgeous photos by Laura Witherow Photography that captured the day: 

One of my insider tips is to always put the dress on a decorative hanger in preparation for this classic photo.
It wouldn't be quite the same with a regular plastic hanger, right?
Your photographer will thank you.

The Beautiful Bride

"The Bride is Coming...The Bride is Coming"

The Ceremony

Husband & Wife

The Getaway

The Bridal Party
I scoped out potential photo locations in advance and found this fabulous park, complete with bridges, ponds, sculptures, and weeping willows.
Want to know where it is?
Leave me a comment below and I'll reveal the secret!

 Chalkboards have usually been used in decor for shabby-chic style weddings. 
But when we discovered that Caroline liked the chalkboard look, we decided to do our own spin, making chalkboards elegant and regal for her wedding.
So we integrated beautiful framed chalkboards throughout the reception decor.

Entrez-Vous

Guests entered the cocktail hour to the sight of a personalized ice sculpture, emblazoned with the couple's monogram.

Both the bride and the groom each had their own signature drink available at the bar.

The idea of a theme is usually thought of as specific to an interest, like travel or movies. But when designing a wedding, a theme can be related to a decor element in the design scheme. 
Here, the chalkboards were our decor theme that we integrated throughout.
They were used in so many different ways!

Photo by Camille Victoria Weddings LLC
Escort Card Display

Yep, more chalkboards...
Instead of just a birdcage for cards, 
the couple asked guests to write down advice, wishes, and date night ideas!

Photo by Camille Victoria Weddings LLC
The bride chose a unique color scheme of dusty gray with shades of purples and gold accents. 
The tablescapes showcase two different centerpiece looks..

 At each place setting, we placed a menu and rose,
along with an extra large gold box wrapped as a gift for filling at the candy buffet!

The gorgeous cake

Instead of waiting until after the meal, doing the first dance immediately upon entering makes the bride & groom's entrance even more grand.

The Head Table
Notice the special gold chargers for the VIP bridal party.






When the groom told me he planned a surprise rap for his bride, I wasn't sure what to expect.
It was amazingly fantastic!
The bride's reaction says it all!

 The charm of Oak Park

Guests eagerly awaited the opening of the Candy Buffet!
Candy Buffets make for a fun wedding favor for guests to take home,
but the elaborate displays also add to the decor.


Congratulations Caroline & Zach!

Vendors:
Reception Location: The Carleton Hotel

Friday, January 25, 2013

Laura & Joe: Candlelight & Romance

My bride, Laura, had fantastic ideas for a wedding full of personalized details. On wedding day, Mother Nature chose not to cooperate. A huge storm rolled through, briefly knocking out the power during our setup and drenching the outdoor patio. But with a little maneuvering, nothing would stand in our way to bring the bride's vision to life. Check out the stunning photos by Dayna Schroeder Photography:



 Pinning on boutonnieres to ensure the guys look dapper.

The ceremony programs doubled as fans for the hot summer day.

We hung the bride's beautiful framed photos along the church pews. 
It was a unique touch and a great use of engagement photos. 

 Grand Exit
Your wedding coordinator will orchestrate your grand exit from the ceremony by guiding guests outside to form two lines, distributing the bubbles, and cueing the bride and groom.

On to the reception at the beautiful Ravisloe Country Club.
(The calm before the storm...literally!)

Instead of lining up the escort cards in rows, 
we hung them from these wrought iron decorative pieces.

A scotch bar atop the fireplace mantle gave the cocktail hour a cozy touch. 

Wedding coordinators often have to make quick judgments and split decisions. With the storm, we knew we'd have to do cocktails inside and found new places for the cigar & scotch bar on the fly. 

No detail was overlooked, with personalized drink stirrers and napkins.

The dinner table signs featured family member pets, 
and this board introduced and showcased each furry friend.
If you look closely on the bottom row, you'll notice the bride's new pet...the groom! ;)

Here is the gorgeous view from atop the stairs.

Black and Gold Tablescape

A big part of a wedding coordinator's job is setup. Yes, we make sure your other vendors are setting up according to plan. But think of all those little details that don't fall under any other vendor's responsibilities. 
That's where we come in! 
Those miscellaneous details that we setup can include escort cards, menu cards, favors, table signs, candles, cake toppers, and DIY centerpieces and decor.

Menu cards in a vertical pocket fold napkin.

 The table decor featured two different looks interspersed throughout the room: candlelit lanterns and tall floral stands.

 The Cake

The storm caused all sorts of trouble, knocking down power lines and causing traffic delays. When the cake had yet to show up, I was just about to send my team off to pickup a backup when ...Voila! The beautiful cake arrived in the nick of time, just as we were about to seat the guests. We like to have a backup plan but are thrilled when we don't have to use it!

The Head Table.

Using the bridesmaid bouquets is a great way to decorate a long head table and gives a place for the ladies to keep their bouquets. Your wedding coordinator will gather up the bouquets to put in place, as the bridesmaids arrive at the venue. 

 Photo by Camille Victoria Weddings LLC
When the sun went down, the room was awash in romantic candlelight.

Late Night Snack
How often do you get White Castle hamburgers on silver platters?


Congratulations to Laura & Joe!

Vendors:
Videographer: Leap Weddings
Reception Venue: Ravisloe Country Club
Wedding Coordination: Camille Victoria Weddings LLC