I started thinking of the importance of place cards. While I knew my client and his wife quite well, I knew absolutely no one at this dinner party. Luckily, Mrs. Client was the quintessential hostess- she carefully considered the seating arrangement and I found myself sitting next to 2 actual rocket scientists and much of the evening was spent talking about supernovas and funding for NASA.

The evening got me thinking about seating arrangements- in theory I would prefer to pick my own seat but I can understand how that might not necessarily be the best way to arrange a dinner party or wedding reception. High school lunch drama came to mind: people milling around looking for their clique, food getting cold, couples being separated by chance. Worse yet imagine ending up next to your idea of a jerk? I know I was glad not to be sitting next to the Super Conservative Republican Nutjob and I am sure he must have felt the same way. Thank God for the seating arrangement.

It turns out that wedding guests prefer assigned seating too

Eli Zabar’s Shortbread Place Cards

If you are too busy to make your own shortbread cookies, you can order them from elizabar.com
The order form seems a little confusing- some weird instructions about treating “each one as a separate transaction, proceed to checkout, and give each recipient’s address”- and this option seem a little pricey at 6/$24 but I think we could consider buying un-frosted cookies from the best bakery in your town and personalizing them yourself.

Dinner Icebreaker: Nickname Placecards By Finestationery

Finestationary suggests that guests be invited to write down a nickname or pet-name for their significant other which will be collected while they mingle over cocktails.

Pewter Chair Place Card Holders By Beau Coup

I think these pewter period chairs from Beaucoup.com are intricately detailed (and they should be priced at $2.50 each) and make exquisite party favors

Engraved glass gem in organza- by sjengraving

Each glass gem, hand-engraved with the individual guest name , comes with a high quality white organza bag. I think these would make just place cards. Set of 50 are priced at $250

Grow your own placecards by Revision

These lovely porcelain eggs growing wheatgrass can be used as a table decoration or place card holder. The actual placecard is embedded into the dirt with toothpicks.

Love Bird Place cards By Timeless Paper

As a cheaper alternative, TimelessPaper.etsy.com offers a wide variety of interesting paper placecards. Whether you choose the peacocks or lovebirds, at $1 per placecard, these are affordable and incredibly elegant. Can you imagine how impressive your table will be with these sweet love birds perched on the lip of the champagne or water glass at every place setting?

Visit TimelessPaper’s website Check out he wonderful post about Paper Garlands

Bubbly Heart Place Cards by CuddleCreature

If you prefer scalloped hearts, you might choice these offered by CuddleCreature is comparable in price and just as sweet.

Genuine Beachstone and Seaglass PLACE SETS – PHOTO HOLDER – CARD HOLDER by Stepping Stones

Probably too expensive for individual placecard, but certainly affordable for table cards, these lovely holders are made of beach glass, with an long furrow cut to fit a photo or card.

Custom Bud Vases Great Wedding or Party Favor by LamaWorks

These cheerful bud vases can have double duty- seat assignments and party favor At a $1/per vase, these cheerful vases would add a great touch to any spring table design. Have the names and table assignments printed on these lovely Bud vases place cards for an additional 15¢.