Am I right people? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve mentioned (around people who are married) that we aren’t sure how to display our escort cards and I’m given a blank stare in return until I say, “You know, the little cards that have your table number/name on it that tell you where to sit?” ”Ohhhhh.”
Sometimes escort cards are easily confused with place cards, the difference being escort cards tell you which table to go to, and place cards tell you what seat to sit in at said table. We aren’t using place cards, but we ARE using escort cards. This post is now so boring I might punch myself in the face. Never thought I’d be writing about escort cards. Alas, here I am, with an “escort card dilemma.” (Wow. Pathetic.)
I’m so in love with many of the beautiful options prominent on Pinterest these days, but they always seem to fit better with rustic, vintage, or outdoorsy weddings, not elegant, hotel, Scottish-inspired weddings.
In keeping with my flair for drama, we are doing a bit of a display with our escort cards. The idea first came about when Mom Sword and Sister Big Eyes found this castle at Michaels.
Isn’t it cute? Inside it appears to be an adorable yet functional dollhouse. I can see us hanging onto this castle post-wedding for future Small Swords to enjoy. :)
Once we figured out that it could NOT be used for a card box (note the small drawbridge opening below), I decided it could be the focal point of the first table our guests will see before entering our reception room.
We are having a dear friend of the family paint the castle for us to make it look more realistic and less juvenile. I’m so thankful to know someone with such awesome skills!
The question I have for everyone is this, how do we display over 100 escort cards around this bad boy? The initial plan was to use some sort of grass or moss mat underneath the castle and place the cards on top in rows.
image via JoAnn
But I also love how the-appropriately-named-for-this-post-anyway Mrs. Castle displayed her escort cards…what if we do that but with green paper?
image via Mrs. Castle on Weddingbee
And now I’m just confused!
(all photos personal unless otherwise noted)
So I need some advice from those craftier than myself (read: everyone). My Sister can only do so much (hehe)!!! How can we display our escort cards in an efficient and castle-like manor manner? Any ideas would be much appreciated!
I’m totally not a crafty person so I can’t offer any advice there, but I do want to say I love how you explained the diff between escort and place cards–I’m totally guilty of constantly confusing the two. I realize now that when I’ve been saying Place Cards I’ve really meant to say Escort Cards as I could care less how guests are arranged at their designated tables. Whoops!!
When I started wedding planning I kept calling my escort cards escort cards… however it is so common that people are confused (or they have just incorrectly learned the names) that I began calling them place cards, too. Annoying!! haha.
I feel your pain – I keep referring to my escort cards by the proper name and NO ONE knows what I’m taking about – I’ve started calling them “table assignment cards.”
The first idea that popped into my head would be paper dolls – I know that you’re not that crafty, but it might be fun to get your bridesmaids together for a craft night. If you found some paper dolls that looked like royalty (Kings, Queens, Princes, Princesses), you could put guests names on them, which could double as place cards.
I suppose it’s not efficient, but it would be a great photo op! And very unique to your theme.
I think these two options would be great with your castle (which I LOVE by the way):
I think using the castle (maybe with some additional paint?) as an escort card display is fabulous! As the castle itself won’t hold many cards, you could place special people – such as the wedding party, parents, and/or grandparents – on the castle itself. The other, by custom, would just be in alphabetical order next to the castle on the turf.
Might be totally left field, but what about little paper flags in royal colors? I can picture some of them running along the top of the castle, and then the rest poking out of the moss at the bottom…
As a combination of some of the ideas above, what about character themed tables (say knights, ladies, banners, pendants, Royals, Prince, Princess, etc.) and using shapes/icons to represent each group. Have the knight characters line the outside, pendants and banners on the top and various characters arranged throughout the castle and in front on the grass.
I like the idea of using the grass or moss. To go with your theme, make your escort cards like flags with maybe a family crest or some other Scottish theme. I would do something similar to the tall rectangular flags that are attached to a pole through the center of the top and bottom of the flag. Google “castle flags” and you’ll see what I mean!
I love this idea! I would do the escort cards in your eggplant color and use an opaque white pen to write their names on them. And if you wanted to display them a la Mrs. Castle, use black satin ribbon! With them sitting on a bed of moss on either side of the castle, that would look sooooo elegant. I can’t wait to see what you end up doing!
Miss Sword, I love your style of writing. You are so funny and relatable.
I love the idea of the flags! I think it would look really cute but still elegant. You could do some with just plain cardstock, some with maybe a crest as someone mentioned, and definitely throw in some more family tartan in there! If you dont like the flags I would use the set up Mrs Castle did but instead of green use either eggplant with black ribbon or the tartan with eggplant ribbon. Super cute idea though!
I love this idea!! It is super cute! I think if you place them in the grass/moss with some small rocks scattered about it would look really cute!
I just coming in to comment about flags and there are already a few who suggested it. I think a little mossy bed would be a nice foundation for the sticks.
Flags, ftw! This sounds like it will be super cute!
In olden times they would have banners hanging from the windows and the turrents, for special occasions. You could list your quests names & table on the banners. Use your green, purple ot tarten for the banners. Then have a little bride and groom on the draw bridge. 
You can have the green and blue accordion folders that I created for a friend’s wedding. You featured them on your site when you crashed the wedding at the embassy suites:)
OHMYGOSH, these ideas are fantastic!! I’m in love with the flag idea!
@Mrs. Bracelet: That’s a great idea, I think I will put the bridal party and parents on the castle!
@Josina: What a brilliant idea! Thank you.
@MissCountryGirl727: Yes, I love the idea of making them Scottish.
@Miss Armadillo: Yes, I love your idea with the colors!
@lealorali: aww, thank you so much!
@AGDG: great idea too!
@MissRedneck: This idea is awesome too, it’s unique and the banners would be less work than the flags! What to do, what to do…
@Heather Cmiel: Hey! Haha, small world! You did nice work. Thanks for the offer!
I’ll definitely keep everyone posted on what I end up doing, I think the flags or banners are my fave ideas! Now to execute them…
Mrs. Sword, Chicago Age and Occupation: 28, Nanny/Actress Fiance's Age and Occupation: 28, Software Engineer Engagement Date: February 19, 2012 Wedding Date: March 2013 Venue: Embassy Suites Bloomington West in Bloomington, MN About Me: I am a true girly-girl originally from the great state of Minnesota and my fiancé hails from the beautiful country of Scotland. We met and fell in love in our favorite city, Chicago, and are having a blast blending our cultures for "A Highland Fairy Tale" wedding! We are truly a case of opposites attract in that he’s a world traveling introvert and I’m a social butterfly who is never too far from home. We both love hanging out with family and friends, fine dining, and laughing at ourselves. He drinks a lot of beer and I talk too much. We wouldn’t have it any other way!
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