Martha Stewart Weddings

Wedding Place Cards That Are Truly Unique

By Emily Platt
July 27, 2011
Credit: Elyse Hall Photography

Help guests find their seats with one of these original ideas.

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Credit: Elyse Hall Photography
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We're of the mindset that your seating assignments can never be made too clear. That's why we're big fans of having both escort cards (or a seating chart) and place cards. The former are set somewhere away from your reception tables, while the latter mark each person's place setting at the table. Having both makes it nearly impossible for celebrants to struggle with locating their spot. If that's not reason enough for both, however, consider the design possibilities. Seating cards and place cards provide you with two additional opportunities to impress attendees with your décor or theme.

Here, we've highlighted some of our favorite ideas for unique wedding place cards. While stationery is obviously included, it isn't your only option. As you'll see ahead, paper goods are just one great choice for the items. Alternatives include calligraphed leaves, wooden cutouts, fresh fruit, and plenty of other original goods. Really, you can use anything that you'd like to help your celebrants get seated. All you need to do is write their names on (or stick them to) whatever you opt to use. As long as they're personalized to serve their purpose, the specifics are entirely up to you. We encourage you to get creative, and hopefully, this inspiration will fuel your brainstorming session.

Love the look of these calligraphed agate pieces, which were planned by Revel Wedding Co.? They're just one of the many great possibilities for your celebration. Click through to see even more before deciding how you'll guide your own attendees on the big day.

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Wooden Names

Credit: Abby Jiu Photography

Wooden laser-cut names are a popular choice, and make for fun keepsakes, too. Laura Hooper Calligraphy provided the ones for this wedding.

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Unexpected Mementos

Credit: Kyle John Photography

We bet you've never seen doorstop place "cards" before! These bunny versions were a quirky surprise for guests. Written Word provided the calligraphy. 

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Calligraphed Rocks

Credit: Tenth and Grace

Here, glossy rose quartz was used in lieu of place cards. It was styled by Lindsey Zamora Events and calligraphed by Seniman Calligraphy.

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Calligraphed Eggs

Credit: Erin McGinn

Egg cups—complete with calligraphed eggs—are another original choice. Heather Belle Ink wrote these names.

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Tagged Fruit

Credit: Jen Fariello Photography

At this celebration, attendees found their seats thanks to gilded figs with name tags pinned on. Martha Rasco provided the calligraphy.

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Calligraphed Tiles

Credit: Sara Weir
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Geometric tiles are modern and chic, and especially so when calligraphed, like these marble ones by Shiho Oh.

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Personalized Desserts

Credit: Jessica Blex
See Our Favorite Chocolate Wedding Favors

Favors can also double as place "cards." These dessert boxes (featuring Wax Seals branding and Froufrou Chic ribbons) were planned by Lovestruck Events and calligraphed by Miranda Writes. 

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Calligraphed Seashells

Credit: Connie Whitlock
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For a beach celebration, write guests' names on seashells. B. Coombes calligraphed these.

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Bloom Boxes

Credit: The Cotton Collective

How lovely were these keepsake boxes stuffed with fresh flowers? Love Detailed Events worked with A Fine Flourish to put them together.

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Calligraphed Napkins

Credit: Jesse Chamberlin/Our Labor of Love

Let your linens double as place "cards," like this couple did. Bustle Events handmade these napkins, while Curlicue Designs Calligraphy wrote the text.

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Calligraphed Stone

Credit: Branco Prata
Get More Rock Wedding Ideas

We love the look of raw stone. The bride calligraphed these slabs herself.

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Seasonal Settings

Credit: Kurt Boomer Photography

Look to your wedding's season for inspiration. Mini pumpkins like this one (planned by The Elegant Ninja) make great stands for autumn place cards.

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Calligraphed Scrolls

Credit: Jose Villa

These scrolls, which were calligraphed by Neither Snow, transformed standard glassware into place cards.

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Tagged Driftwood

Credit: O'Malley Photographers

Another nautical idea? Driftwood. Laura Hooper Calligraphy crafted these tags.

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Calligraphed Leaves

Credit: Rebecca Arthurs
Get More Leaf Wedding Ideas

This tropical tablescape featured leaf place "cards" with celebrants' names written on them.

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Printed Cards

Credit: Ushna Khan

Use stationery with a fun print to make your place cards stand out. Love Me Do provided these paper goods.

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Cultural Trinkets

Credit: Samm Blake

This bride tapped into her Welsh heritage and paired her Wells Makery place cards with Bespoke Laser UK love spoons.

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Lucite Names

Credit: Sarah Kate Photography
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Laser-cut lucite is an alternative to wooden cutouts. These examples were from Southern Fried Paper.

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Calligraphed Sea Glass

Credit: Michael & Carina Photography

Sea glass place "cards" (calligraphed by the bride) were the finishing touch on this wedding's place settings.

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