Place card
Encyclopedia
A place card is a piece of paper indicating what table a guest at an event, such as a wedding
or banquet
, is assigned to sit. Place cards generally have the guest's name and table number, and frequently have some design as well to add style.
Place cards also serve the function of identification of those who may otherwise be unknown to one another. Once taken by the respective guests, they are placed at the assigned seat, and once there, this enables others to identify the person sitting in that seat by name.
At some weddings, place cards can double as the menu
for the food that is served at the wedding.
Place cards are not only used for Weddings and are not always pieces of paper. Theme based celebrations have become extremely popular for such party celebrations as Bar and Bat Mitzvah celebration meals, as well as birthdays, sports banquets, anniversaries, retirements, corporate events, etc. Custom place cards coordinated with the celebrant's theme have become very popular as well.
The use of place cards in some circles may be controversial. Some guests may want to sit wherever they wish.
Wedding
A wedding is the ceremony in which two people are united in marriage or a similar institution. Wedding traditions and customs vary greatly between cultures, ethnic groups, religions, countries, and social classes...
or banquet
Banquet
A banquet is a large meal or feast, complete with main courses and desserts. It usually serves a purpose such as a charitable gathering, a ceremony, or a celebration, and is often preceded or followed by speeches in honour of someone....
, is assigned to sit. Place cards generally have the guest's name and table number, and frequently have some design as well to add style.
Place cards also serve the function of identification of those who may otherwise be unknown to one another. Once taken by the respective guests, they are placed at the assigned seat, and once there, this enables others to identify the person sitting in that seat by name.
At some weddings, place cards can double as the menu
Menu
In a restaurant, a menu is a presentation of food and beverage offerings. A menu may be a la carte – which guests use to choose from a list of options – or table d'hôte, in which case a pre-established sequence of courses is served....
for the food that is served at the wedding.
Place cards are not only used for Weddings and are not always pieces of paper. Theme based celebrations have become extremely popular for such party celebrations as Bar and Bat Mitzvah celebration meals, as well as birthdays, sports banquets, anniversaries, retirements, corporate events, etc. Custom place cards coordinated with the celebrant's theme have become very popular as well.
Issues
Place cards, especially if fancy, can be an added expense for the couple.The use of place cards in some circles may be controversial. Some guests may want to sit wherever they wish.