What Most Wedding Decor Checklists Forget

Have you ever been to a wedding where you weren’t sure if you were in the right place (especially if the venue has multiple locations on site and hosts more than one wedding per day)? Or, have you ever stood around wondering what you are supposed to do next? If the wedding is “free seating” or if you just can’t find the seating chart?

Today, I want to dive deeper into what most wedding decor checklists forget: wedding signage! If signage is included on the average decor checklist, it’s usually mentioned vaguely.

I know I might be biased as a wedding calligrapher, but it truly is the signage and day-of details that make your wedding day feel personal and like yours. Your wedding day signage is not only beautiful, though. It’s also incredibly important for your guest experience too! In fact, if you asked me to choose the MOST important reason weddings need signage it would be simple: guests don’t like to be confused. And wedding signage is the ultimate way to ensure that your guests have an elevated, stress-free experience at your wedding!

To make sure YOU aren’t missing anything, make sure to download my COMPLETE wedding decor checklist below!

Your Wedding Day’s First Impression (Your Wedding Ceremony Signage)

When guests arrive at your wedding venue, especially if they don’t know many other guests in attendance, they are going to immediately wonder if they are in the right place. Even if it’s a popular wedding venue, you’ll have guests who have never attended a wedding there before. What better way to put them at ease than with a welcome sign? Trust me when I say, your guests will immediately relax knowing they are in the right place. Plus it’ll do the work of warmly greeting them for you while you’re, well, getting married!

Not sure what to include on your wedding welcome sign? Check out this reel I made with 5 ideas here!

I also recommend investing in a ceremony program to share a little more about what your guests can expect, especially if you want to shout out all the MVPs of the day or if you’re having a lengthy ceremony! For family and friends who haven’t met everyone important to you yet, it’s nice to be able to put faces to names and people like to be able to follow along with each step.

Next, let’s talk about Cocktail Hour Signage!

Ever been standing at the bar wondering what to order? I always recommend providing a signature cocktail for guests to enjoy (or if you don’t have a signature cocktail, list out the bar options for guests anyway)! There is nothing worse than trying to grab a cocktail and panic-ordering your “usual” (because you don’t want to bother the busy bartender) only to see someone else holding something fruity and delicious two minutes later!

Want some ideas for making your signature cocktails stand out? Check this out! My personal favorites (as you’ll see in my portfolio or over on Instagram) often include an illustration of the cocktail or fur baby!

Wedding Reception Signage

Now that your guests are ready to party with their favorite drink in hand, we don’t want to leave them wondering where to go (or what to do!) next. There is NOTHING worse than being confused as a wedding guest (I’m speaking from experience here!). Here are a few things you may want to have as a part of your wedding reception decor:

• A welcome sign so they know they are in the right place (and yes, this can be repurposed from the wedding ceremony signage!)

• A seating chart/display so they know exactly where they should sit (here are some tips to help you organize your seating chart depending on your guest count!)

• Table Numbers (so they can quickly find their seat). Place cards are optional!

• Menu Cards to have guests’ mouths watering from the moment they sit down (read this post about elevating your wedding reception dinner!).

Then, let’s talk about what your guests should DO. Here are just a few things you want to make extra clear to guests (to ensure they enjoy the experience you’ve planned for them!), because not everything is going to be obvious. Plus, if you tell them what to do, they’re more likely to do it! (And your guest book won’t sit untouched!)

• A Guest Book Sign (especially if you are going outside the traditional guest book and opting for Jenga pieces, a photo signed, or something less traditional!)

• Signage for the Photobooth (if you have a polaroid camera and want guests to actually use it and hang the photos – you need to tell them what to do).

• A Card Box or Gift Table Signage (so they aren’t standing around awkwardly with a present or leaving with the card still tucked in their purse like a distant memory).

• And then lastly – a sign letting them know it’s okay to grab and enjoy a wedding favor! Trust me – if there is no signage, those custom wedding favors just get left behind.

Your Wedding Decor Checklist

Well, that ended up being a lot! But honestly? I’ve only scratched the surface! I haven’t even touched on unplugged ceremony signs, reserved seating signs, hashtag signs, and so much more. If you are looking for bespoke details (and guidance!) for your own wedding decor, you can learn more about my day-of details wedding calligraphy package here. I’ve been a wedding calligrapher for over 6 years now, and love working with couples to create personal, and beautiful wedding day details that also ensure their guests have an incredible time at their wedding. If that’s what you are looking for, I would love for you to get in touch here! In the meantime, make sure to grab my complete wedding day decor checklist below.