As the first thing your guests will see as they walk into the reception, your seating chart and escort cards are kind of a big deal.  No matter what the season, we at Anyvent think that a seating chart should pop…and we love the idea that it has become such a statement over the years.  If you are getting married in the summer season, we have a treat for you.  In this week’s blog we are going to highlight some great ideas for summer seating chart decor. 

Flower Market

We love the idea of a flower market for your seating chart.  Not only is it informative for guests, but you can make it interactive and it can even double as a favor.  Let me set this up for you…dozens of stemmed flowers in ceramic pots printed with table numbers and guests names set up like a flower market for your VIP’s to “shop” for their ideal floral arrangements while also finding their seat.  Think summer farmers markets with an abundance of your favorite blooms at your fingertips.  This is a fun seating chart idea that will get your guests excited for what’s to come.

Keeping it Cool: Refreshments

Champagne walls have become more of a wedding staple than a stand out feature…but let’s take this concept and turn it into a showstopper seating chart.  Summertime can get pretty hot and steamy so welcoming your guests into your reception with a nice chilled beverage is the perfect way to say hello (especially after an outdoor ceremony). Whether or not you want to make it an alcoholic beverage  is completely up to you…you know your guests best.  You can choose between lemonade or limoncello or a more tropical option like coconut water or pina coladas;  it will make an impact no matter what you decide.

Using Nature

During the summer there is nothing more beautiful than the natural setting of the outdoors.  Using nature as part of your seating chart can be a lovely nod to everything “outdoorsy” and can give your guests a reason to soak up the sun a bit longer. Picture this: your escort cards hanging from low branches of a beautiful tree close to the reception area, swaying gently in the wind to invoke a mystical woodland. Or perhaps using an unexpected medium, such as a  slice of cedarwood, to list your guests table numbers. An organic seating chart will solicit a partnership with nature and enhance the natural features of your venue.

Prioritize Color

Colorful seating charts are a welcome addition to summer.  If there is any time to incorporate bright and bold color palettes it is a summer wedding. Whether you build a colorful installation and have your guests find their seating by color or you create a colorful flock of rainbow cranes to lead your guests into your reception; a pop of color is always a welcome greeting. Monochromatic color is so powerful and choosing the right color can invoke luxury or fun…whichever you desire for the atmosphere of your wedding.

Inspire a Getaway

Summer is a time for vacations and getaways. And while you may not be getting married in a tropical locale you can inspire your guests to plan a trip with your seating chart and escort card idea.  Use luggage tags for your guest’s escort cards (bonus: these can also double as your wedding favors) or  use postcards from your favorite destinations complete with a handwritten note to create a personal moment between you and your guests before the reception even begins.  Naming your tables to match the postcard location is also a cool touch that your guests will adore. 

As cocktail hour comes to a close, your guests will start to make their way over to the reception space, but first they will have to make a quick pitstop at the seating chart.  While a simple escort card table could certainly do the trick, a towering installation of creativity will give your guests something to ohh and ahh about.  While a seating chart’s sole purpose is to convey information to your guests, we can’t help but love that it can (and should) also reinforce your wedding aesthetic, elevate the ambiance and showcase the beauty of the couple’s love story.

While we can all agree that seating charts are an event in themselves, weddings tend to have a lot of signage that can (and should) be included.  Again, while the first and foremost purpose of wedding signage is to convey direction to your guests, the added element of decor is a moment in itself…after all who doesn’t want all the pretty things!! If you need some help determining what signage you will need at your wedding, take a look at our blog, Here’s Your Sign…What Signage Do You Need on Your Wedding Day?