Table Plans

I dont think i like the idea of a long list of names like that.

could you do the tables in group of 10 and on the table list them alphabetically rather than the order they are seated?

Our table plan was done by the venue this way. I just gave them the list or names/tables & they made it all up.

In the scheme of things, people look at the table plan for 20seconds, so dont worry about how the order goes or what it looks like. For larger numbers, I think alphabetical is the easiest, quickest & saves a long queue of people waiting!

There have been some great ideas on some wedding blogs recently like having a a picture of each guest which they have to find and then on the back it will say what table they are on. These are both from pinterest/rock my wedding

Most people manage to find themselves pretty quickly on a table plan anyway - it's easy to scan and spot your name. Have you thought about doing escort cards instead of a table plan? You lay them out alphabetically, and each guest's name has their table number on the back.

What about escort cards with their table numbers on? You could still list them alphabetically. May look better than just a list of names?

ETA: Will your guests know they are listed alphabetically? Because it may still take them as long to find their name if not.

Like a few others have said, escort cards would be a good idea, and a bit different. Its typically an American thing but I think its a good idea.

Though I don't think it'd take too long for people to find their name. I usually look at the table plan during the drinks reception, rather than on the way into the room so you won't have everyone looking at once and creating a big queue.

point well made

I had thought about escort cards but when I mentioned it to my OH he asked what they do with them once they've looked at it and know their table. Erm....no idea. I don't like the idea of them just becoming clutter on the table. Or do they actually have a use after?

Place cards!

But if they're the place cards then that means there aren't any already on the table - so how do they know exactly where to sit?

I'm thinking of escort cards + saying to people sit on x table, but sit where you like on the table

Rather than just do a list of names, you could lay out name card on a table in alphabetical order with guests name and table on them. My cousin did this for her wedding, and we found it easy to get our heads around. Then again, her tables were free form in the sense that guests could all choose at which seat they would sit at their specified table. Wouldn't work for me, though, as we have assigned seating...

We're doing escort cards me thinks but your OH is absolutely right...what the heck to do with them afterwards? Not a lot! So it might be fuss over nothing. But then so much of what happens on a wedding day is useless the day after!! Depends on what you are willing to spend time and money on. Like others I don't a regular seating plan causes too much hassle for guests.

We thought this idea was fun...plus they can be printed and folded at home with not much time or cost. I thought I might pin them on a mirror or empty frame rather than take up table space. Not quite decided yet.

Oh and I have also done little home made place settings with brown tags, lace trim and diamante which cost £11 and 2 hours worth of work.