Post # 1
Member
57 posts
Worker bee
For those of you who have lived through the insanity of last- minute- weeks -before- the wedding, did you do a seating chart or escort cards? I am asking because all along I wanted to do a seating chart and have it enlarged at Kinkos and put it in a antique frame. But I am so afraid no one will pay attention to it, and sit anywhere! I HAVE to have assigned seating because, sadly some of our guests do not play well with others.
Plus, what do you do with those who have not bothered to RSVP and show up anyway? Do they sit at the bar? Do they just find an open seat somewhere? I really did not budget time into making 100 escort cards, and after the DIY invites I sruggled with, (Damn you crafty, talented Bee’s for giving me false sense of security that I could tackle these projects!!) may never turn on my computer again!
Aghh …why don’t people just send the RSVP back already????
Post # 3
Member
2674 posts
Sugar bee
I think either option will work well. If the seating chart is easier, then go with that option. If you have a large wedding, maybe make two and put them at either side of the entrance so there aren’t a ton of people struggling to see one chart.
As for people showing up who did not RSVP, here is my two step attack plan.
- 1) Call everyone who did not RSVP (after the deadline) and confirm that they are
- A) coming
- B) Not coming
- C) leave a voicemail stating that since you have not received an RSVP from them you are assuming they are not coming. And if thats incorrect they need to call you ASAP to ensure your caterer knows they need to cook a meal for them.
Then on the day of the wedding anyone who did not RSVP yes or who RSVPed no isn’t allowed in.
Ok maybe my plan is a little harsh. But you can’t expect to not RSVP for an event and then show up anyway. I think taking the time to call everyone (instead of just assuming they are all no’s) is already being nicer than you have to be.
Post # 4
Member
5 posts
Newbee
Do the glorious seating chart. It’s fun, really elegant and it’s easy! what I would do, is designate a friend, relative, or usher to greet your guests as they arrive, and direct them to the seating chart so we know they won’t miss it. Also, do you have place cards? that will help too in making sure they reach the correct seat.
good luck! You’re so close!
Post # 5
Member
131 posts
Blushing bee
Although I find seating charts elegant, I find they are not practical. Then again it depends on how many guests you have. I recently went to a wedding. We were about 200 who arrived at the same time. The couple had this beautiful, glamorous seating chart, but it took forever to find our names. It’s because the seating charts was set by table instead of by name. So you had to go table by table to find your name. It caused this big traffic jam at the entrance of the hall. If you don’t have the time or energy to make escort card (who can blame you?), I would say assign someone at the entrance who has a list by name and can quickly give people their table numbers and turn away anyone who hasn’t RSVP!
Post # 6
Member
1036 posts
Bumble bee
What kind of dinner are you having? We thought we’d just list table numbers on a seating chart, but then our caterer told us that since we’re doing a sit-down dinner, rather than buffet, they want us to have everybody’s meal preference in to them beforehand and that we must use escort or placecards and have some indicator on them so they know what meal they have (different color, symbol, etc). So we’re now doing escort cards, since it’s easiest for the caterer, and we want dinner to go smoothly
Post # 7
Member
1379 posts
Bumble bee
Curious, how do you seat a couple with different last names?
Post # 8
Member
1368 posts
Bumble bee
I attached the cards to their favor and had them all sitting at a table before they walked in the room. A few tables had an empty seat or two and the one extra person who showed sat at one of those.
ETA: I just cut mine up and taped it. It didn’t take me long at all to do it. The favors were in boxes so I just made it the same size as the box and it worked perfectly.
Post # 9
Member
4858 posts
Honey bee
Um…I did both, haha. Control freak here, at your service! There was a large sign on an easel that let people know at which table they were seated….then there were also seating place cards at the actual spot I wanted them to sit. I’m sorry, but it was a tiny wedding with quite a few people who wouldn’t know each other, and I wanted everyone to be taken care of! It worked out perfectly but GOOD LORD IN HEAVEN was it ever a lot of work. Paint….rubber cement….templates….my uncooperative printer….I have PTSD now but it was all worth it. 😉
Post # 10
Member
57 posts
Worker bee
Wow thanks ladies! We are having 100 people for a buffet dinner, and I was going to do it by table number but now see how that may be hard to see your name.Sent 72 invites got 58 back deadline was 7/8. Am making phone calls this weekend I guess. What about people that you have banned that show up anyway? Am thinking of getting a big uncle to nicely ask intruders to leave!
Post # 11
Member
972 posts
Busy bee
I did escort cards but I also had to do a seating chart for the venue. The escort card just told the guest what table to sit at and then I had luggage tags made up that went on their specific seat.
I say do the seating chart especially since you have guests that don’t mesh well, it will make things easier!
Post # 12
Member
7960 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
i had a picture taken of each guest/couple infront of our custom backdrop as they entered the ceremony. the pics were printed during the cocktail hour and put into individual stands with their names and table #’s. they were unique escort cards and they could take the pics home with them.
Post # 13
Member
57 posts
Worker bee
Mypinkshoes. How clever I love the idea but there is no time between the ceremony & dinner to do anything like that.
Ok sounds like I will need to do both ladies any budget ideas how to make place cards?