Whether your very own wedding is the first wedding you will ever be attending or it’s the 10+ wedding you will be going to, knowing what items to have at your wedding reception can be a difficult thing to determine as there are SOOO many different items that can be included! Now it’s definitely up to you on what you want to have at your wedding reception as there are really no required items. Well except for one item IF you’re having a plated meal, but more on that later!
So as we know it can be overwhelming to look at a long list of various items to have at your reception. We wanted to narrow it down to just 12 items that we often see at a wedding reception. This is part 1 with 5 items and we’ll be covering the remaining 8 items in part 2! Please note that this list doesn’t include any performances, traditions, or vendors and is focusing only on tangible items! However if you’re looking for additional tips and things to consider when planning your wedding reception check out our blogs below:
For ideas on what to include at your wedding reception check out our list of 12 popular items often seen at wedding receptions and where they’re typically found!
At the Registration Table
Photo: Derek Wong Photography
1. Welcome Sign
A decor item that typically stands right next to the registration table and the ballroom doors, this sign typically states the names of the couple and the date of the wedding. The welcome sign is typically the size of a poster board and rests on an easel so that it can easily be located by guests. They are also a great photo opp for guests and are often seen to be decorated with florals! We often first see the welcome sign at the ceremony site and then at the reception site following the ceremony.
Photography: Love Story Weddings Photography
2. Guest Book
Though the guest book is still used for guests to write their names and addresses in, as many couples have wedding websites where guests can input this information when they RSVP, we are now seeing more non-traditional guest books! Instead of them being used to document contact information, they are now being used to record sweet messages of luck and best wishes for the couple! A few couples are even ditching the book part of “guest book” and opting for a more creative way to display messages from their guests!
3. Card Box
As mentioned above, with more couples having wedding websites many of them also have an online registry. This allows guests to purchase gifts as well as give money to the couple through the site. With that though you may not NEED a card box, it may be a good thing to have for any of your guests that may want to give a card in person.
Photography: Embr Photo
4. Seating Chart
Similar to the size of a welcome sign, the seating chart lists the guests' names by their table. The purpose of this chart is to help them see who they are sitting with (note: if you want this chart to show guests what table they will be sitting at the chart would list names in alpha order by last name). Seating charts also come in handy in showing everyone where they sit so that if any of your guests are looking for another guest they can refer to the seating chart rather than having to ask you or your registration table helpers where that person is sitting.
Photography: Seeking Films
5. Escort Cards
Typically laid out so that guests can find their own card, the purpose of the escort card is to literally escort the guests to their correct table! We’ve seen so many unique ways to design escort cards but one thing they should always have is the guest’s name and their table number. IF you’re having a plated meal, either your escort card or your place card (we’ll be going over place cards in part 2!) will need to have some kind of marker to let the banquet staff know the type of meal that guest should be served.
If you’re curious to know the difference between an escort card and a place card check out our blog that focuses specifically on that topic HERE!
In Part 2 we’ll be focusing on items found not at the registration table but at the guest’s tables as well as a few decor items! Stay tuned to see the remaining items in our list!
XOXOXO
Happy Planning!
(A Perfect Day)