If you're looking for information about Place Cards and aren't sure if you really need them for your wedding, this is the blog for you! Today, I'll explain what Place Cards are, where to place them, and whether or not they're essential for your big day. I'm passionate about wedding stationery, but I'll also confess that I'm super practical and realistic—so if something isn’t necessary, I’ll be honest about it. #RealTalk 

Sooo, let’s dive in!

First, what are Place Cards? The word "Place" means "seat" or "location," and "Card" means "card," so Place Cards are small cards that identify where each guest will sit at the table, with their name written on them.

Second, where do you place them? Place Cards are placed on the table, specifically in front of or on top of the charger plate (decorative plate) and the cloth napkin.

Now, how do you know if you really need them for your wedding?

There are only two situations where Place Cards are necessary:

1. If you want to assign your guests to specific seats at the table. In most weddings, guests are divided by tables, and they can choose their seat when they arrive at their table. However, if you want to ensure that each guest sits in a specific chair, you'll need to identify the seat with a Place Card.

In my humble opinion, this is only necessary for imperial tables (long tables seating 12-20 people). Keep in mind that not all guests arrive at their table at the same time, so if seats aren’t assigned, families or groups may end up sitting apart because the remaining chairs aren't grouped together.

2. If you're offering a plated dinner and your guests have selected their meal in advance. There are three ways to serve dinner at your wedding: (1) Buffet, small bites, or food stations, (2) the same dish for everyone (ideally a duo plate with two protein options), or (3) allowing guests to choose between several options and confirm their choice when RSVPing. 

If you go with option #3, where guests pre-select their meal, it’s necessary to use Place Cards with the guest's name and their meal selection. This helps the servers ensure the correct dish is served to each guest.

In summary, you only need Place Cards if you're assigning specific seats or if you're serving a plated dinner with multiple protein options. If that’s not the case, you can choose to invest that budget into something else you’ve been eyeing for your wedding. 

If this blog helped you, leave a comment below and share it with your friends!

Note: Many people confuse Place Cards with Escort Cards, but they're not the same. I invite you to click here to learn more about Escort Cards and how to assign your guests to tables.

XOXO, Lili