Escort cards vs seating chart
Three things get mixed up in one sentence: the board that names a guest's table, the card at the door that repeats it, and the card on the plate that picks the seat. They do different jobs, and most weddings need two of the three.
What each thing does
| Thing | What it tells a guest | When it is enough |
|---|---|---|
| Seating chart board | Which table they sit at, looked up by name at the entrance | Any wedding where guests find their own chair once they reach the table |
| Escort card | The same table, on a card they pick up and keep | When the board would be crowded, or guests arrive in waves |
| Place card | Which exact seat at that table | Plated service, or when seat order inside a table matters |
| Table numbers | Which table is which, once they are in the room | Always, alongside whichever of the above you use |
The difference in one line each
An escort card is a table assignment. A place card is a seat assignment. A seating chart is the table assignment written once for everyone instead of once per card.
Which one your wedding needs
Start with the table assignment: a board or cards, not both, unless the room makes one hard to read. Add place cards only if the meal is served to seats or a specific order matters inside a table.
Do not use place cards to do a board's job. Forty cards sorted at the door is a queue; a board sorted once is a list.
Related
Fictional checked example, not a customer wedding and not a live Seat Everyone solver result.
About 10 minutes. Software, not a waitlist — your chart tonight.