You likely spent countless hours carefully crafting a seating chart for your reception. As a result, it’s important that your guests find their way to the correct table. Escort cards allow you to do just that, displaying your guests’ names next to their table numbers. However, even though this information may be considered crucial, it doesn’t mean it can’t be arranged on a beautiful and unique display. “As with any and all wedding design elements, it’s important that your escort card display be a cohesive addition to the overall aesthetic,” says Becca Atchison, founder and creative director of Rebecca Rose Events. “Don’t be afraid to have a lot of fun with this, as the interactive nature of an escort card display can be such a fun highlight of the guest experience.”

When it comes to putting your escort-card display together, your options are endless. “Anything that can be personalized with a name can serve as an escort card,” Atchinson says. “It’s also okay to ditch the ‘card’ and focus on a more interesting tangible item that will double as a gift.” However, make sure to also consider the set-up. “It’s important not just to focus on the cards or items themselves, but also the broader background or surroundings,” adds Atchison. “If you use a wall, furniture piece, or table to set up an interesting display, make sure it will look fabulous on its own and serve a purpose, or be able to be swiftly removed, once all the escort cards are removed.”

Materials for escort-card displays can be found through rental suppliers—or even craft stores if you’re planning to go the DIY route. However, Atchison strongly suggests bringing in experts to help with the planning process and day-of execution. “A great escort card display is well worth it, but the truth is that it may take many hours and some engineering expertise to make sure that it is set up beautifully in a way that is both safe and secure,” she says.

Ready to discover options for your big day? Below, find 25 escort card ideas to give you some much-needed inspiration.

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Make Them a Focal Point

At their rustic-meets-urban wedding, this couple displayed their escort cards from Emily Baird Design at the center of their cocktail hour. Sitting on trays of pebbles, the white cards against the dark wood of the table created a beautiful (and practical) focal point for the pre-reception celebration.

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Set the Mood

For their Chicago wedding, this couple displayed their escort cards in an arc, interspersing them with tiny tea candles. The pink-hued paper with a ridged edge matched the modern springtime aesthetic of their big day.

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Embrace Your Theme

At this couple’s Virginia wedding, they turned to “tomato girl summer” as the theme for their nuptials. Every piece of décor—including the edible escort cards—included nods to just that. We love how the white calligraphy popped against the bright red of the produce.

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Craft Them Yourself

We love how the bride at this Little Women– and Legends of the Falls-inspired wedding crafted the escort cards herself. The gingham cards, displayed on a wooden table with an autumnal arrangement, added a rustic touch to the nuptials.

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Place on Bow on Them

Aiming to bring a touch of Europe to their intimate summer wedding in Vancouver, we love how this couple added a silky bow to each of their escort cards. Custom calligraphy and ivory wax seals transformed the collection of cards into an aesthetically-pleasing board.

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Offer Guests an Arrangement

Integrating their wedding flowers into their escort cards, this couple attached each guest’s name and table assignment (written in calligraphy by Amber Moon Design) to a terra-cotta pot filled with warm-toned blooms, creating a picturesque display at their garden nuptials.

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Integrate Natural Elements

We love how this couple embraced the theme of their cottagecore nuptials with all of their design elements—including their escort cards. Attaching table numbers and names to taper candles decorated with flowers and greenery, the bride created an installation that resemble a scene from a fairy tale.

25 Cottagecore Wedding Ideas for a Charming Celebration

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Hint at Your Reception Décor

Since guests often retrieve their escort card before heading into your reception space, these table assignments can offer them a hint at what’s to come. At this couple’s Texas wedding, hibiscus-colored envelopes from K. Laine Design gave a nod to the couple’s sunset-colored celebration.

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Engage In Some Wordplay

At their San Diego nuptials, this couple placed each escort card underneath a small pebble—and atop a bed of stones. A sign reading “Just a Stone’s Throw” lent some wordplay to the table assignments.

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Give Your Guests a Gift

We love how this couple integrated their love of gardening into their escort cards. When guests went to retrieve their table assignments, their names were attached to seed packets. “Some of our guests have successfully grown the veggies this season,” the bride added.

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Add a Bud

Creating a display table covered in shades of blue, pink, and red, this couple affixed their guests’ table assignments to tiny bud vases. While each escort card looked beautiful on its own, we love how the collection of them together created a picturesque arrangement.

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Raise a Toast

We love the decision to kick off your dinner reception with a toast. Establish a structure, such as a large shelf, and pour your favorite champagne into marked glasses. Guests can enjoy the sparkling beverage as they move into the reception space.

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Feature Fresh Fruit

Consider handing out a seasonal treat with your table assignments. We love how this couple placed baskets of fresh strawberries with their escort cards for the sweetest display.

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Give Useful Gifts

Give your guests something they’ll use long after your wedding weekend has passed. If you’re planning a destination wedding, luggage tags are the perfect fit. We love how this couple arranged them in a cohesive display on a pegboard.

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Make It Bloom

Hosting an outdoor garden party? Add some blooms to your table assignments. These escort cards—place above arrangements of baby’s breath—featured bespoke floral illustrations.

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Go Tropical

Give your guests something to sip on as you kick off the reception. We love these coconut cups, marked with the name and table assignment of each guest. Consider filling them with coconut water to keep guests hydrated—or an alcoholic beverage of your choice.

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Feature Favorite Photographs

Want to make your display ultra-personal? Consider using polaroids. This personalized display featured a photo of each guest or family member.

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Make It Modern

Planning a modern wedding? Choose an escort card that matches your aesthetic. This stand-alone structure featured black chairs against a white background, creating a picturesque and sophisticated display.

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Go Bold With Citrus

We love this sweet and simple idea for your escort cards. Choose vibrant citrus fruits, such as clementines, lemons, or limes, that correspond to the feel of your wedding. Attach calligraphed scrolls with a pin that include the names of guests and their table assignments.

How to Incorporate Citrus Into Your Wedding Day

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Share Scented Candles

Escort card-meets-favor? We’re all about it. Something sweet and simple, such as a candle, can be a lovely gift for your guests. Include their names and table numbers and arrange them on a beautiful display table.

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Nod to the Season

If you’re planning an autumn wedding, consider bringing leaves into the mix. This escort-card display utilized a variety of leaves with hand-lettering to create a look with plenty of texture and seasonal colors.

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Make It Grow

Bring your escort-card display to life with plants. This display featured white flowers and greenery paired with table assignments in mini terra-cotta pots.

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Take a Shot

Want to keep spirits light and fun? Consider serving your guests a shot. Pour shots of your favorite liquor and adhere adorable markers to the glass.

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Nod to a Locale

The destination of your wedding can also provide design inspiration. These charming mini bottles of limoncello were on display for a wedding in Tuscany, making them truly the perfect fit for the big day’s aesthetic.

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Turn to Textiles

Keeping a design consistent throughout your wedding planning? Turn to a textile that matches your invitations, plates, and more. This framed structure made a beautiful statement during a late summer wedding.