An Escort for the Masses
August 20th, 2008 @ 1:09 pm by Mrs. Espresso
Escort cards have to be one of my most favorite design elements of a wedding. Since they’re one of the first things you see, they’re a preview of what’s to come. And I find it so interesting that such a small piece of paper can play such a large welcoming role.I’ve never been to a wedding with non- standard escort cards (which may be why I’m so intrigued)… so hopefully my first attempt goes ok. Here are the ideas I’ve come down to.
Fruit Escort Cards
(Image from Amelia Lyon Photography)
(Image from the Knot)
And if our wedding had been at the beach, starfish escort cards were our first choice
(Image from the Knot)
(Image from the Knot)
And the Top Four Finalists (in no particular order)
1) Regular Escort Cards hung with clothes pins and exchanged with Polaroid of guests when they arrive
(Image from the Knot)
2) Chalkboard Seating Chart
(Image from Fete)
3) Escort Cards Hung Around a Pine Tree
(Image from Rebecca Thuss)
4) 2 Pictures of Escort Cards in Pots (But will I be able to carry 180 of these up the mountain… and keep them green?)
(Image from the Knot)
(Image from Style Me Pretty)
I’d love some help if you’d like to help me narrow the four. And what are you doing for your escort cards?
Related Posts
23 Responses to “An Escort for the Masses”
I like the cards around the pine tree best. It’s unique and wouldn’t be a lot for you to carry and set up should be fairly easy as well.
I like number 1, the Polaroid idea. I was at a wedding last year where a Polaroid camera was used in lieu of a guest book at it was a big hit! As the night went on the pictures got more and more interesting!
It seems to me I read that Polaroid was no longer making their instant film. Check into that before you commit.
I like the Polaroid idea. I bought all of the supplies but am afraid the guests will not get into it. But I really like what you found with the whole “exchange for the escort card” idea.
I love the chalkboard idea! I have friends who are teachers and are getting married- and it would be perfect for them!
Love the Polaroid exchange idea!
I like the chalkboard idea.
and I’m really sad that Polaroid isn’t making their film anymore. 
We’re making gift tags on Christmas presents (which contain our favors) as escort cards. We’re doing a Christmas wedding.
I think that the tree idea is the best!
I like also the polaroid idea in theory but it presents a couple of problems. First, as others have mentioned polaroid is not making it’s full line of products anymore. Also, guests might not understand the concept or the area could get crowded/cramped because people have to actually have an activity instead of just finding their card.
I love the Polaroid idea but it seems like it would be a ton of work that couldn’t fully be done in advance of the wedding day. I am all about decreasing the day-of to-do list!
I love the apples (or other fruit) this is actually what we’re planning to do with green apples for our wedding. So I’m biased 
I’ve been to a Polaroid reception before and it was a blast. The cameras aren’t very expensive, but the film is (and they’re not making it any more — it’s something like $20 for only 10 shots). It might be just as economical to use a digital camera and instant photo printer, but then I worry about it taking too long…
I just did the Polaroid thing at my wedding a month ago and it was just like everything else—some people get really into it and others ignore it. But I just want to point out that although Polaroid does not make their cameras anymore, plentyof places carry the film (including Target and Office Depot) and their respective websites. You can find plenty of Polaroid cameras on craigslist or ebay. So don’t let that deter you if it’s what your leaning towards.
I like the tree idea, too!
I don’t know how we are going to set them up, but I am planning on having my third grade students write guest’s names on the cards in cursive. Hopefully they’ll be psyched to help, and show off their new handwriting skills:)
I love the Polaroid exchange! How beautiful is that photo from the Knot of the woman in the J. Crew Sophia with the little moss-pot escort card, though?
The polaroids are fun, if you can still do them. Otherwise I like the ’round the tree option.
I’m still trying to decide between traditional paper cards or votive candle holders (w/LED tealights).
Will you have someone doing the exchange of the polaroids for you? If so, that is what I think you should go with. I’ve never seen that exact idea before and I love it.
you can combine both! tie them around a tree, and at the same time exchange their escort card for a polaroid - and if you want to go crazy have their names written on mini chalkboards by painting them with chalk paint - and THEN give them a pot to go home with! j/k….
i like the polaroid idea best.
@Miss Hydrangea: I love that idea as a favor!
@Reilly: That would definitely be perfect for them! I saw a couple who did a school theme and it was awesome!
@EAN: that’s so cute!!
@Miss Avocado: Yes, I already talked to my cousin and she said she would man the polaroid table… which will make things go much smoother
@Stephanie: haha that’s so funny… but I think I may do that… well not all of that but combining the polaroid with the tree idea. Then I can have the best of both… although I might go crazy adding mini chalkboards and giving them a pot as well
The votes you gave for the Polaroid option were double that of the pine tree idea and 4x more than the chalkboard idea. Thanks for helping everybody- I may go with the idea (well half ) that @Stephanie: gave and do both the polaroid and the pine tree… as long as it’s not too difficult to get the film
we’re playing with doing the herbs-in-a-pot idea. i love the look, and i started rooting cuttings of mint this summer in preparation (the wedding’s not until next may). well, last month i had to go on an extended business trip and my fiance didn’t water them enough or else over-watered them, and about half died, so i pretty much have to start over. there’s time, but now i’m wondering if it’s worth my sanity
@hwong14: Oh no!!! Oh the things that happen while planning. I hope everything works out!!
[...] decided to go with the seating cards around the tree idea that I talked about in August. Here was my [...]
Mrs. Espresso, Corona/Big Bear
Age and Occupation: 23, Community Services Specialist
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 22, Maintenance Technician
Engagement Date: December 21, 2007
Wedding Date: October, 2008
Blogging Since: June 25, 2008
Venue: Outside a rustic b&b in Big Bear Lake
About Me: I'm a lover of all things good: coffee, music, travel, rain, and of course- my handsome fiance! I'm a full believer in the "Life is Short," mantra - and therefore, eat lots of dark chocolate. I'm a Geographer by degree and nerd by choice. I cook to the sound of French and Portuguese music even though I speak neither. I love road trips, camping, hiking, and capturing life through the lens of my camera. Take me to Anthropologie and I may never leave. I'm a sucker for pretty packaging, bargain finds, and old movies. Mr. Espresso and I are high school sweethearts and I am so blessed to be this amazing man's future wife.
Those are some amazing ideas! We were going to do the escort cards attached to vases w/ flowers, but the vases would have been a pain for them to carry around during the cocktail hour (we have to put them outside for guests to pick up before they go into the pre-function area, long story) so we are opting for the regular cards and using the vases w/ flowers as their gift to take as they leave.