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¢.

(some of my favorites have been incorporated into my blog design )

So here is my first attempt. And doesn’t Jake look so cute? The teal brings out his eyes!

It comes in 4 sizes and 1 coordinating back label:

6 per page Vertical layout.
6 per page Horizontal layout.

Final Label size: 3.33″ x 4″
Size is based on Avery labels 5164
For more Information about 6 per page labels, see this post.

8 per page Vertical layout.
8 per page Horizontal layout.

Finished label size: 3.375″ x 2.3125″
Appropriate for Beer or Soda bottle
Sized on Avery labels 5395
Check Online Labels which offers many versions- water resistant or glossy-especially for inkjet printers
If you need smaller amounts you can purchase the label stock from us. If it’s not available at my store, just convo thru etsy or email me.

10 per page Coordinating back label.

Finished label size: 4″ x 2″
Size is based on Avery labels 5163
Both Online Labels andamp; LabelsbytheSheet offer many options.

If for any reason, you can’t find the appropriate size listed on Etsy, just let me know.

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Awkward name- yes.

But oh so unique!!

This husband-and-wife team – Joanne andamp; Tony Cheng – custom engrave a white  3-inch pebble with the name of the bride and groom and their wedding date.

More often than not, buying a wedding gift on a budget relegates you to the cheap kitchen appliances or , worse yet, some variation on a vase. andlt;andlt;Yawnandgt;andgt; As if you don’t run the risk of duplicating someone else’s gift….

Definitely not my style.

I would proudly present this engraved stone, wrapped in silk, as a  symbol of the couple’s relationship. “A rock in a sea of chaos”.

And, wow!, wouldn’t this make an uncommon and witty invitation for a small wedding or elopement, wrapped in a piece of paper with directions? Tied with a raffia bow! Too Cute… Too bad its just a little too expensive for a party favor….Maybe for a centerpiece?

Visit Their Etsy Store» sjengraving.etsy.com

Don’t miss out on the nested stone birth announcement available in their store.

Order this design from my custom pub graphics store on Etsy.

Buy just the personalized graphics and print your own custom label or have me print them for you on semi-gloss label stock with waterproof ink.

This custom label is available in  4 sizes and 1 coordinating back label:

Two 6-per-page layout – horizontal and vertical.

Final Label size: 3.33″ x 4″
Great for both beer or wine bottles  and includes additional space to add an invitation, directions, or a joke
Size is based on Avery labels 5164, 5264, 5524, 5734, 6464, 8164, 8464.
For more resources and tips about 6 per page labels, see this post.

It also comes in  two 8-per-page layouts- vetical and horizontal.

Finished label size: 3.375″ x 2.3125″
Appropriate for Beer or Wine Bottles ; complete the “look” with the coordinating back label.
Size is based on Avery labels 5395
Online Labels offers many versions- water resistant or glossy-especially for inkjet printers
If you need smaller amounts you can purchase the label stock from us. If it’s not available at my store, just convo thru Etsy or email me.

The Coordinating back label (finished label size: 4″ x 2″) gives you more space to add an invitation, poem or directions to the party.
Based on Avery labels 5163
Online Labels offers many versions including  water resistant and  glossy- especially for inkjet printers
LabelsbytheSheet offers a water resistant inkjet label too.

COMING SOON: matching water bottle labels.

If for any reason, you can’t find the appropriate size listed on Etsy, just let me know.

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