Printing Wedding Cards: Design, Budget, and Setup Tips for Perfect Escort Cards

When you're wedding escort cards, small cards that direct guests to their assigned seats at a reception. Also known as seating cards, they’re not just pretty extras—they’re the quiet backbone of a smooth reception. Skip the guesswork and chaos. Printed right, they reduce stress, prevent awkward standing, and make your event feel organized from the second guests walk in.

Printing wedding cards isn’t just about picking a font and hitting print. It’s about escort card design, how the layout, material, and placement work together to guide guests. A poorly printed card that smudges in humidity? That’s a problem at a destination wedding in Bali. A card that’s too small to read? Guests will crowd the table, confused and frustrated. You need materials that hold up, fonts that are clear from three feet away, and a system that even your drunk uncle can follow. And if you’re on a budget, you don’t need to spend $300 on custom engraving. Many couples make beautiful, durable cards for under $50 using simple paper, free fonts, and DIY stands.

Then there’s the budget wedding escort cards, cost-effective ways to create professional-looking cards without overspending. Think print-at-home designs, cardstock from craft stores, or even repurposing leftover invitations. Some couples use chalkboards or digital screens, but nothing beats the tactile feel of a printed card in a guest’s hand. And don’t forget the holder—whether it’s a wooden stand, a cluster of clips, or a vintage book propped open on a table. The right holder turns a functional item into a photo-worthy moment.

And if things go wrong on the day? You’re not alone. Last-minute guest changes, typos, or weather damage happen. The good news? You don’t need to reprint everything. A few sticky notes, a fine-tip pen, and a little prep can fix most issues without panic. Some planners even keep a small kit with spare cards, tape, and markers just in case.

Whether you’re going for elegant calligraphy, modern minimalist lines, or fun handwritten names, the goal stays the same: make it easy. Make it clear. Make it calm. The best wedding escort cards don’t shout—they guide. And when your guests find their seats without asking, you’ve done your job.

Below, you’ll find real, tested advice from people who’ve been there—how to alphabetize cards for faster seating, what paper won’t warp in a humid ballroom, how to handle last-minute additions, and why some of the cheapest options end up looking the most expensive. No fluff. Just what works.