Wedding Escort Cards: What They Are, How They Work, and Smart Alternatives

When you hear wedding escort cards, small cards that tell guests which table to sit at during a reception. Also known as seating cards, they’re a practical tool to keep the flow of your reception smooth—especially when you’ve got more than a few tables and guests don’t all know each other. But here’s the thing: most couples don’t realize escort cards aren’t the same as place cards. Place cards, name cards that sit directly at each chair, assigning a specific seat tell someone exactly where to sit. Wedding escort cards, on the other hand, point guests to a table, not a chair. That small difference changes everything—from how you design them to how much time guests spend hunting for their spot.

Many people still use paper escort cards because they’re easy and traditional. But they’re also wasteful. One wedding with 150 guests means 150 single-use cards, often printed on glossy paper that ends up in the trash. That’s why more couples are switching to sustainable wedding displays, like chalkboards, wooden signs, or digital QR codes that link to a seating chart. These options aren’t just eco-friendly—they look better, cost less over time, and let you update the layout last minute without reprinting everything. Even better, some couples are turning escort cards into keepsakes by pairing them with a photo booth, so guests walk away with a personalized memento instead of a scrap of paper.

It’s not just about looks or sustainability. Cultural traditions also shape how escort cards are used. In some families, names are listed by family unit or seniority. In others, alphabetical order is the only way to avoid drama. And if you’re hosting a destination wedding or a non-traditional ceremony, you might need to rethink how seating is communicated altogether. The real question isn’t whether you need escort cards—it’s whether they’re the best tool for your event. You’ll find real examples below of what works, what doesn’t, and how to avoid the mistakes most couples make on their big day.