Your Guide to Wedding Signage

Planning your day of wedding signage is often one of the most exciting decor decisions there is. After all, your wedding signage is almost always completely personalized to you as a couple. Your welcome signs have your names and wedding date (hopefully in stunning white ink calligraphy – at least that’s my favorite!), and your bar signs come decorated with visions of your favorite cocktails. What’s not to love about beauty and function?

COVID-related Wedding Signage

This is a big one (although not the most exciting), so let’s address it first. Your guests will definitely feel more comfortable knowing what to do/what not to do in regards to COVID restrictions so even though you might not want to, you need to set the tone for the event. I recommend putting something as close to the guest entrance as possible.

You can choose to do this by offering your guests their choice of bracelets, or a larger sign if you prefer. Whether you have requirements from your venue, or if the law requires certain compliance like mask wearing and mandatory social distancing, having signage will show your guests you are well prepared and appreciate them attending despite the (unfortunate) obstacles. Often times, your guests will already be familiar with any legal requirements but having a sign at the entrance is a great way to add reassurance.

Wedding Welcome Signs

While we are talking about the entrance to your event, let’s talk about planning your welcome signage. This is one of my favorite places to add hand-written calligraphy touches. Unlike other decor, welcome signs often can’t be sold to other wedding couples after your date because they are personalized (but don’t worry, I talk more about how to repurpose your wedding decor around your home here). Almost all of the wedding couples I work with include their names and wedding date and most include a wedding hashtag as well! First impressions are everything so whether your style is bright, modern and bold or soft and rustic, make sure this sign really reflects what your guests can expect for the day.

Unplugged Ceremony Sign

A quick note about your welcome sign: if you are having an unplugged ceremony, your welcome sign is a great place to tell your guests. I love unplugged ceremonies for so many reasons. First, your guests will be fully present. Second, you won’t have a bunch of photos of your guests looking at their phones! My advice? If you are having an unplugged ceremony, tell your guests you will share the professional photos! Your officiant can make an announcement at the start as well.

Wedding Signage for the Reception

As far as wedding signage goes, the welcome sign will be at the ceremony but there is more wedding signage opportunity at the reception. By the way, if you love repurposing and making the most of your wedding decor as much as I do, you can arrange to have your welcome sign moved from the ceremony to the reception site on the day as well. I always recommend investing in some luxurious touches in your wedding decor (I am a New Jersey wedding calligrapher, after all) but that doesn’t mean you can’t make the most of your investment by having certain decor pieces do double duty.

Bar Signs for your Signature Cocktails

Again with beauty and function. Not only will your bartenders appreciate you streamlining a majority of the cocktails they make, it can also cut down on your liquor bill if you are providing your own alcohol. Just like anything else, your guests will actually appreciate the direction. After all, who doesn’t love enjoying a new signature cocktail they haven’t tried before?

Seating Charts for your Wedding Reception

Although I love the luxury feel of escort cards, seating charts create less waste. I talk more about choosing between seating charts and escort cards here, if you are interested and trying to decide on your wedding decor. Seating charts are typically located close to the entrance of your wedding reception, so make the sign big enough (and pretty enough!) to catch your guests attention. If you are looking for a wedding calligrapher in New Jersey, make sure to contact me here. Your guests will love seeing their names in gorgeous calligraphy!

Wedding Table Numbers

After the seating chart, the table numbers are the next piece of wedding signage that your guests will look for. And not only will they look for it, they will stare at it on and off for two to three hours during dinner and toasts so if you want to make it memorable, I support your decision! Whether or not you want a simple elegant design like white ink calligraphy on frosted acrylic (with fun table names instead of numbers!), or you want to stick to regular table numbers but write them on something classic like a glass vase, table numbers are something often overlooked that can really add to your centerpiece decor. Plus, it’s a piece that your guests can take home, if you’re okay to part with them!

Card Boxes, Guest Books and Other Reception Wedding Signage Details

Card Boxes and Guest Books are usually on the same table (or nearby) so the designs need to be complementary to each other. Often times, these signs don’t need to be very instructional and are more for aesthetics so they can be smaller in size. When planning your wedding signage, it helps to work with just one vendor (like your wedding designer or calligrapher) instead of piecing together different signage vendors. Your signs don’t have to be “matchy-matchy” but you definitely want a cohesive look.

Creating and Designing your Wedding Signage

If all of this has you feeling inspired and excited, I’m so glad. As a New Jersey wedding calligrapher, I have created many different signs both large and small for couples getting married all over the trip-state area and the USA. I would be absolutely honored to discuss your wedding signage needs and help you design this part of your wedding day!