What is the difference between an escort card (or table card) and a placecard?

This question comes up many times and people use the word interchangeably. In fact, there is a difference.

Escort Cards:

These cards are used to let each guest know to which table they are assigned. The classic escort card is a small envelope with the guest name on the outside and the table assignment on the inside. You can use the words, "You are seated at table ___ ," or you can just give the table number assignment, as the word table is implied. A tent card, folded at the top, is as commonly used as the envelope and card. The design of these cards is only limited by your imagination. They can have bows, dried flowers, ribbons or anything that complements the theme. They can use any color of ink. They can even be an "object." For example, at a summer wedding we have tied a card on to a heart shaped seed packet with organza ribbon. At another wedding, we put the card on a bell. The bride and groom must kiss whenever the bells are rung. These double as gifts for the guests and assure the guests are seated properly.

What you write on the card:



• Most formal: Mr. and Mrs. Byron Smith (if they are sitting at the same table.)
  Informal: Amanda and Byron Smith

Placecard:

The placecard is pre-set on the table at the seat assigned to each guest. There is a choice in where you seat your guest at the table.

Some of the choices are:



• Traditionally husbands and wives (or couples that come together) are seated at the same table, but not next to one another. In this case guests should alternate, male and female. The person seated to the right of another is considered in the position of honor.
• When arranging for seating, your list should be prepared to start the first person at noon (noon being straight up in a circle) and in the best position to see the people of honor for the event. The list moves counter clockwise, so you seat the first person and then each subsequent person to their right.
• Most common today, couples that come together are seated next to one another.
• A popular alternative for something different would be seating couples at different tables and then everyone or every other person moves once or twice during the event, possibly at each course. This will allow the guests to interact with more people over the course of a traditional sit down event.

The placecard itself can vary from the most formal, an ecru or white flat card with a gold or silver bevel-edged, laid on a formal folded napkin, to a theme related item, such as a Mardi Gras mask. The only requirement is that the name must be visible.

Speaking of the name:

• In the formal approach, the name is written: Mr. Smith, if there are two Mr. Smiths at the table than the first name is used, Mr. Byron Smith.
• An informal approach you can use either Byron or Byron Smith (using the last name only if there is another Byron at the table.)

Personalized Menu Card:

A personalized menu card is an alternative to a placecard. These should be considered when giving your guests a choice of entree. The regular menu would have each guest's name printed at the top and set at each place.

Name Cards:

This refers to a card you might give out to a friend, a personal alternative to a business card. It does not refer to anything that relates to a table setting.