20 Interesting Ways to Display Seating Charts & Escort Cards

Skip the traditional table and discover unique alternatives for presenting seating assignments.

While most wedding-planning decisions focus on ceremony and reception décor, couples should also consider how they'll show guests to their seats.

By Kelcy Christy

Photo: Anastasiia Photography

While most wedding planning decisions focus on ceremony and reception décor, couples should also consider how they'll show guests to their seats. Typically, names of attendees and table numbers are written on escort cards and placed on a table covered with an elegant linen and topped with a tall flower arrangement; however, there are a number of ways to display seating assignments in a unique and memorable fashion.

Consider choosing a seating chart or escort card display that shows off your personality as a couple, or one that highlights your wedding theme. In lieu of a traditional escort card table, pin cards to a flower wall, attach seating assignments to trinkets displayed in a bookcase, or handwrite names on an oversized mirror. Though this area of wedding planning is often overlooked and left to the last minute, your guests will love the challenge of finding their names and table numbers on a well-thought-out display that truly becomes a part of the décor.

We've collected 20 unique seating charts and escort card displays from real weddings to inspire your own event! Take a look at the ideas below, and for more information about these events, click on the links below each image!

1. Beach Wedding Wall

Escort cards pinned to a freestanding white-washed wood wall beautifully fit a beach wedding theme. Offer flip-flops to guests by way of wicker baskets at the base.Photo by Yvette Roman Photography; Floral Design by The Hidden Garden; From Real Wedding: All-White Wedding at a Beach Club in Santa Monica, California

2. Wood Wall with Watercolor Cards

Freestanding wood wall with heart escort cards ideas

This outdoor wedding featured a tall freestanding wooden wall pinned with heart-shaped escort cards with multicolor watercolor designs. Photo by Elizabeth Messina; Planning & Design by Bob Gail Events; From Real Wedding: Farmers Market-Inspired Cocktail Hour & Shabby Chic Reception

3. Seating Chart with an Ocean View

In lieu of individual escort cards, write guests' names on a large seating chart displayed between two palm trees and adorned with foliage and flowers. Photo by EDLT Photo; From Real Wedding: An Oceanfront Vintage-Inspired Wedding in Laguna Beach, California

4. Shabby Chic Shelving Unit

Bookshelf escort card display ideas tone it up katrina scott

When Tone It Up's Katrina Hodgson got married in Malibu, guests found their seating assignments attached to trinkets displayed on a rustic wood shelving unit. Photo by Jana Williams Photography; From Real Wedding: Tone It Up Trainer Katrina Hodgson's Shabby Chic Malibu Wedding

5. Golf Towel Structure

Linen escort cards at outdoor wedding ideas

As an ode to the couple's love of golf, guests found their seating assignments embroidered on golf towels, which were displayed on a tall wooden structure. Photo by Adrienne Page; From Real Wedding: Pink and White Destination Wedding in Charleston, South Carolina

6. Wine Cork Frame

Wine cork escort card holders in frame vineyard wedding ideas

Since this wedding took place at the bride's family vineyard, loved ones found their escort cards attached to wine corks arranged on a rustic wedding display. Photo by Elisabeth Millay Photography; From Real Wedding: Alfresco Ceremony and Reception at Central California Vineyard

7. Freestanding Green Hedge

Escort cards clothespin on hedge wedding ideas

As a cute touch, seating assignments were attached to a greenery hedge wall by way of clothespins adorned with miniature roses. Photo by Jay Lawrence Goldman Photography; From Real Wedding: Rustic + Vintage Outdoor Ceremony & Tent Reception in Palm Springs

8. A Bookworm's Dream

Bookshelf escort card display library wedding ideas

For this couple's outdoor garden ceremony, guests found escort cards on a rustic bookshelf embellished with greenery and florals in pale hues. Photo by Stephanie Fay Photography; From Real Wedding: Sophisticated Garden-Inspired Wedding in Phoenix, Arizona

9. Upholstered Key Wall

Antique key escort card display wedding ideas

Seating assignments were attached to antique-style brass keys and displayed on a freestanding white upholstered wall adorned with a garland of gilded magnolia leaves as well as roses and hydrangeas. Photo by Amy & Stuart Photography; From Real Wedding: Chic White, Blush & Gold Seaside Wedding at Montage Laguna Beach

10. Frame on Top of Dresser

Gold bow push pins on board escort card display wedding ideas

This whimsical celebration featured unique décor, including a striped dresser with a large frame consisting of escort cards pinned with gold bow-shaped pushpins. Photo by Ryan Ray Photography; From Real Wedding: Outdoor Wedding with Vibrant Pink + Orange Décor in California

11. Rustic Window Panels

David Tutera wedding antique window seating chart ideas

For a true rustic feel, guests found their table assignments handwritten on large window panels displayed atop haystacks outside of a barn. Photo by Michael Segal Photography; From Real Wedding: Rustic-Elegant Wedding in Ojai Valley, California

12. Antique Door

Escort cards taped to antique window or door wedding ideas

Ideal for a rustic-elegant wedding, secure escort cards to the glass panels of a shabby chic door frame. Photo by Laurie Bailey Photography; Planning & Design by Linda Howard Events; From Real Wedding: Shabby Chic & Garden-Inspired Malibu, California Wedding

13. Wine Bottle Holder

Green wine bottle seating chart wedding ideas

Since this celebration took place at a vineyard, guests found their seating assignments written on wine bottles placed on a wooden wine board. Photo by Clane Gessel Photography; From Real Wedding: Rustic-Inspired Summer Wedding at a Vineyard in Northern California

14. Handkerchiefs on a Clothesline

Handkerchief escort card clothesline display

How cute are these handkerchiefs embellished with each guest's seating assignment? Hang linens from a clothesline for an extra-special touch. Photo by Elizabeth Messina; Planning & Design by Mindy Weiss Party Consultants; From Real Wedding: Ethereal Garden-Inspired Morning Ceremony + Alfresco Brunch

15. Suspended Hearts

Brittney Palmer and Aaron Zalewski wood heart escort cards wedding ideas

These heart-shaped wooden escort cards are adorable on their own, but when suspended from a tree for guests to discover, they become even more unique. Photo by Daniel Kincaid Photography; Planning & Design by Bluebell Events; From Real Wedding: UFC Octagon Girl Brittney Palmer's Sparkling Oceanfront Wedding

16. Framed Flower Wall

Flower wall escort card display wedding ideas

For a luxurious look, pin escort cards to a flower wall composed of peonies in shades of pink and vanilla and add an ornate golden frame. Photo by Chip Gillespie; From Real Wedding: Classic Jewish Wedding at a Synagogue in Houston, Texas

17. Mirror Seating Chart

flower wall and mirror design seating chart outdoor cocktail hour wedding reception ideas

Hire a calligrapher to write each guest's name on oversized mirrors (or have them etched) for a two-in-one décor element. Not only will guests love the ease of finding their names, but the mirror(s) will also emphasize the space! Photo by Sarah Kate, Photographer

18. Show Ribbon Wall

Show off your equestrian background by awarding each guest with their own horse show ribbon emblazoned with their name, table number, and even an individual superlative (like this couple did for their attendees!). Photo by Chrisman Studios; From Real Wedding: A Facebook Executive's Rustic-Elegant Northern California Wedding

19. Swirling Hedge

If you love the look of a garden wedding but your nuptials are indoors, try displaying escort cards atop a hedge of greenery to bring the outdoors in. Photo by KingenSmith; From Real Wedding: Modern Black & White Chicago Wedding with Hints of Pink

20. Ribbon Dance

wedding escort cards attached to ribbon hanging from tree ceiling reception ideas

Hang escort cards from ribbons suspended from an indoor tree or the ceiling for a fun, whimsical décor element! Photo by The Day; From Real Wedding: Opulent Wedding with Whimsical, Luxurious Touches in New York City

Want more wedding ideas? Discover ceremony program ideas and browse our wedding photo galleries to see thousands of images from real weddings across the country!