Although they get overlooked quite a bit, the wedding signs you pick will have a massive impact on the style and vibe of your wedding.

But if you’re here reading this article, you already know the value of wedding signs! Whether it’s the Welcome sign, the Photo Booth, or - my personal favorite - the Signature Drinks, these signs play an important role at weddings, from directing people around the venue to informing them about what to expect at every turn!

In this article, I’ll discuss EVERYTHING you need to know about wedding signs: their purpose, the right materials to use, style and placement, must-have signs versus optional signs, and more! I’ll also use pictures exclusively from my past weddings to give you a trusted source of inspiration.

Lastly, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by anything wedding-related (including picking the right wedding signs!), click here for a FREE one-on-one consultation.

Purpose of Wedding Signs

First and foremost, signs at a wedding fulfill a functional role. They serve a huge variety of purposes, such as welcoming guests to the wedding, directing them to a particular location or event, informing them about an upcoming activity, offering information about food and drinks, inviting them to share a message in a guest book, and even asking them to use a hashtag when posting their wedding photos online!

On top of these practical purposes, wedding signs can also play a decorative role and add to the overall aesthetic of the wedding.

This is why choosing the right sign is so important. Signs will influence how your guests perceive the vibe and style of your wedding. From the get-go, a sign can set the tone for your event - is it traditional, formal, classic, modern, vintage, whimsical, and so on.

Wedding Signage Material

Wedding signs come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and materials. It’s wise to consider the overall theme of the event, as well as the venue, other decorative elements, and enhancements (draping, florals, lighting, etc.) when choosing the material for your signs.

Ask yourself what material would go best with your event. Also consider how certain materials interact with and are influenced by different aspects of your wedding.

For example, acrylic signs are beautiful and can really stand out, but if they’re see-through, they should be placed in a simple background. In my experience, see-through acrylic signs are difficult to read if the background is too busy.

Mirrored signs are also very popular and striking, but similarly difficult to read and photograph.

I suggest you display your wedding signs on heavy card or foam board framed in metal or wood and displayed on an easel or stand.

Take some extra time to figure out the right signage material and ensure your big day runs smoothly!

Must-Have Wedding Signs

1. Welcome Sign

A nice gesture to welcome your guests. This can be a simple sign on an easel with decorative flowers. It can just say “Welcome to Our Wedding” with the names of the couple, date and venue. It can also be more creative, but the common elements are typically the couple’s names and a picture.

2. Seating Chart

This is a list of all the guests (preferably alphabetized) and the numbers of the tables they will be seated at. Some couples list the table numbers with the names of the guests at each table. Although this has the advantage of seeing where people are sitting, it will take longer for guests to find their names as it’s organized by table number and not guest name.

If you’re having a large wedding, and more than one entrance to the ballroom, consider displaying a seating chart at each entrance for better flow. And make sure to use a legible font.

3. Table Numbers

Each table must have a number for guests to know where they will be seated, but also for the venue and catering staff to know what is being served at each table. The table numbers should be large enough to see from a distance and can be of a similar style and color as the rest of the wedding theme and signage.

Don’t be afraid to get creative here! Along with regular table numbers, I’ve seen names of cities the couple has travelled to, names of sports teams they favor, and words and numbers in a different language. This is great, but make sure that the sign also includes an actual number so guests can easily find their seats and staff can accommodate menu preferences.

4. Gifts/Cards Sign

The gift/cards sign is usually framed, placed on top of a table, and next to a box for cards. If you have a wedding registry where all guests are directed to gift you, there may not be a need for a gift/card box and sign.

However, some guests may still bring an envelope containing a congratulations card or money (check, cash, or gift card) so it’s not a bad idea to have space for it at the wedding.

Optional Wedding Signs

1. Program – This is usually a small one-pager or booklet for each guest but can also be one large sign placed on an easel. The Program provides information about the flow of the event, specifically the Ceremony and those involved in the service. These include but are not limited to the Wedding Officiant, the couple, the parents, and the wedding party (Bridesmaids, Groomsmen, Ring Bearers, Flower Girls, etc.). The program will also highlight the main elements of the Ceremony, Processional, Declaration of Consent, Exchange of Vows and Rings, Announcement of the Couple, Kiss, and Recessional. Finally, there may also be a note of thanks from the couple to their parents and guests for their support.

2. Ring Bearer (maybe Flower Girl) Sign

This is usually a cute saying that the ring bearers or flower girls carry. Some examples I’ve seen include “Here Comes The Bride,” “Last Chance to Run,” or (more seriously)“Hurry Up I Want Cake.”

3. Unplugged Ceremony Sign – If you don’t want guests using their phones to take pictures and videos, you may consider a “this is an unplugged ceremony” sign. If this is the case, ask your Officiant to remind guests of your request. In any case, be prepared for guests that will still snap away throughout the Ceremony!

4. Ceremony Seating Sign – This is the one that tells your guests to sit anywhere they like such as “Pick a Seat, Not a Side!”

5. Guest Book (Voicemail Station) Sign

Usually if the Guest Book is placed near the Gifts/Cards box or on the same table as your framed family photos, guests will notice and write a message for you. Sometimes the “guest book” is something other than a book, so it’s nice to have more instruction for your guests.

This is especially the case when you have a Voicemail Guest Book where guests pick up a phone and record a message for you, or if they write their name on a small wooden heart which gets dropped into a glass frame with all the other signed hearts from your guests.

6. ‘In Memory of’ Sign – If there is a special individual or individuals who’ve passed recently, you may want to place a framed photo and a sign on a table as a remembrance.

7. Sweetheart Table/Chairs Sign – If the couple sits at their own “sweetheart” table during the reception, they may choose to have a sign as such, usually saying “Mr. & Mrs.” or a sign hanging from the back of each of their chairs with the words “Bride” and “Groom”.

8. Bar Sign

Some couples choose to have Signature Drinks or His & Hers Drinks. It’s a good idea to display those by name, perhaps an image and the ingredients.

9. Photo Booth Sign – If you decide to have a Photo Booth at your wedding, or another similar activity where guests are involved, it’s a good idea to have a sign as a reminder and an invitation for them to partake! Make sure the Booth is placed in a visible space and have your DJ make several announcements inviting the guests to take advantage of the fun props and glamour!

10. Hashtag Sign – These days many couples choose a hashtag even before their wedding day, and post photos from their engagement, bachelor and bachelorette events and rehearsal dinner. If you choose a hashtag, make sure to have 1- 2 signs to inform guests and invite them to use the hashtag when they post photos from your wedding.

11. Menu Cards

These provide information about the various courses served at the reception as well as the side accompaniment. In addition, the menu card may also include hors d’oeuvres, any specialty desserts, fruit display, tea & coffee station, and the wedding cake.

Wedding menu cards are placed at guest seating areas and can add a nice decorative layer to the overall design of the wedding.

12. Dessert/Fruit Display Sign – If you have specialty dessert, it is a good idea to specify names and ingredients.

13. Exit or “Send-Off” Sign – Usually when there is a special send-off such as a Sparkler goodbye, it is a good idea to have a sign specifying the time and location for the activity, so guests know to partake.

Closing Thoughts: How To Choose Wedding Signs

With so many options, deciding which signs to get can definitely be overwhelming, but keeping these tips in mind will make the process way easier!

Remember to approach wedding signs with the theme and style of your wedding in mind. Consider how guests are going to maneuver throughout the venue. And once you have a good idea of these, ask yourself where you’d need signs and how you’d display them. Going through this mental checklist will help you choose the right signs and make sure all the little details of your wedding are taken care of!