Plus Ones on Escort Cards: Wedding Stationery Tips and Design Ideas

When you're planning your wedding, plus ones on escort cards, the designated space on wedding stationery for guests to indicate if they're bringing a partner. Also known as guest plus-one notation, it's a small detail that can prevent big mix-ups at the reception. Getting this right matters—nothing ruins the flow of a wedding like someone standing around wondering where to sit because their name wasn’t on the card, or worse, they showed up with someone you didn’t expect.

Most couples don’t realize how much wedding escort cards, small cards that direct guests to their assigned tables influence the guest experience. They’re not just decorative. They’re functional tools. A well-designed escort card tells guests exactly where to go, and if you’re including plus ones, additional guests invited by the primary invitee, you need to make it crystal clear. Should you write "John Smith & Guest"? Or "John Smith & Jane Doe"? The answer depends on whether you know who the plus one is. If you do, use their name—it feels personal. If you don’t, "& Guest" keeps it flexible and avoids awkwardness if the guest changes plans.

Don’t forget to match your escort card design, the visual style and layout of the card that coordinates with your wedding theme to your seating chart, a visual layout showing table assignments for all guests. If your seating chart uses elegant script, your escort cards should too. If your tables are numbered with minimalist fonts, keep the cards clean and simple. Mismatched styles make everything feel sloppy. And always test your layout: print a sample, hold it next to your table numbers, and ask someone else to read it. If they can’t figure out where to go in five seconds, you’ve got a problem.

Printing matters too. Foil, letterpress, and digital printing each give a different feel. Foil looks luxe but costs more. Letterpress feels handmade and high-end. Digital is affordable and fast. Pick one that fits your budget and your vision. But no matter the style, make sure the text is large enough to read from across the room. Guests aren’t going to squint.

Timing is just as important as design. Order your cards at least six weeks before the wedding. That gives you time to collect RSVPs, finalize your guest list, and make edits without rushing. Last-minute changes? They happen. But if you wait until the week before, you’ll be stuck with cheap, flimsy cards or missing guests entirely.

Some couples skip plus ones altogether and just list names. But that’s risky. If someone brings a date and their name isn’t on the card, they might feel excluded—or worse, get turned away. Others try to guess who will bring someone, but that leads to empty seats or overcrowded tables. The cleanest solution? List every primary guest, then add "& Guest" next to those you’ve confirmed can bring someone. It’s simple, fair, and avoids assumptions.

Below, you’ll find real examples and step-by-step guides from couples who’ve nailed this part of their wedding. From rustic designs to modern layouts, you’ll see how small choices make a big difference. No fluff. No guesswork. Just what works.