The people make the party. So, you're at a swanky dinner party, and headed for the dining room after cocktails hoping that Mr. Smacky MacGross isn't seated to your right, and that you're not forced to think of any and all conceivable questions to direct toward Mr. Are You Capable of Leaving Your Finger Out of Your Nose While You Eat, while desparately trying not to let the soup drizzle out of your shock-and-awe gaping-open mouth.
Thankfully, you head toward table 6, take your seat, and find that you have a lot in common with both gentlemen seated at your side. Success!
Seating at a dinner party (or luncheon or breakfast) can make or break the atmosphere for your event, and can either make your guests feel welcomed and special, or leave them with a bad taste in their mouths (and no, not from the lobster bisque). One way to indulge your guests is to leave them dazzled by your extraordinary good taste and selection of place cards.
Simply put, place cards are small cards (or other items) at guests' place settings on which their name is written, indicating their seat at the table. Keep in mind that place cards are used, traditionally, only at seated (where wait staff provides service) events.
Place cards can add such a beautiful touch of formality and tradition to any event, whether it's an elaborate wedding or a family-cooked Thanksgiving dinner. It eludes preparedness and thoughtfulness, signaling to your guests that their presence is special, that you took time to think ahead and decide with whom they might enjoy visiting.
The same rules apply to writing names on place cards as with invitations (see my previous blog entry on addressing invitations), except that each person is given a separate card and only their LAST name with their corresponding title should be listed:
Miss Adorable
Mrs. Gorgeous
Mr. Gorgeous
Master Cute
Ms. Pretty
Place cards can be displayed on your table in various ways, but the most important element of proper seating is to make sure your guests' names are spelled correctly and legible! Nothing spells out "in a hurry" or "last minute addition" more than leaving out that extra "e" or forgetting that your previously married friend, Mrs. Jones, should now be referred to as "Ms. Jones" in light of her recent divorce. If you're not sure, DOUBLE CHECK!
There are all types of options when choosing place cards, from sophisticated, hand-written calligraphy on heavy weight, pre-cut card stock to chic printing on a Microsoft/Avery template. Here are a few of my favorite options:
Aspen Letterpress Cards from Dingbat Press
Cupcake Letterpress Place Cards by Missive
(oooh how I want everything in this etsy shop!)
(I LOVE THESE! I use them all the time for our events, especially ladies' luncheons!)
(This is a timeless choice. It's sophisticated and formal, yet can be used both during the day and at night. Also comes in white with silver border.)
(Can't you just imagine this during the holidays adorning a gold and forrest green covered table, placed in pine cone, flanked by holly and smells of cinnamon? Hurry up, December!)
Now, let's be honest. Few of us have the time, nor the means, to have these gorgeous place cards hand-calligraphed each time. Well, my friends, time for something I like to call Printinnovation (in other words, you're in a pickle - better figure out something fast!). Go to your local Office Depot or Staples and pick up a pack of the Avery Two-Side Printable Clean Edge Business Cards (in either white or ecru). Open up the corresponding template in Microsoft Word (5876), type in your guests' names using whatever font and color best suites the event, and presto! You have yourself some beautiful place cards! I keep a couple of these on hand in both colors in case of emergencies!
HAPPY TUESDAY!
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