How to Use Place Cards for an Anniversary

Place cards can ensure a successful event.

It's not just etiquette that dictates how to use place cards, sometimes it's just old-fashioned common sense. If Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Helen always fight at family gatherings or if you want to introduce a potential date or mate to your best friend, strategically seating your guests helps an event go smoothly. At anniversary gatherings, use place cards to ensure a successful and enjoyable evening.

Things You'll Need

• Place cards or card stock
• Fine-point pen or calligraphy pen

Instructions

1. Decide who to invite to your anniversary party. If you are planning a small, intimate gathering, try to invite an even number of people so no one is left out.

2. Determine if you want to use a single card that is placed on the plate or if you want a tent card that will be placed on the table at the top of the plate. Ideally, for any dinner gathering that includes more than eight guests, place cards make it very easy for guests to know precisely where to sit rather than them wrangling over who sits next to the hostess.

3. Fill out a place card for each guest by handwriting the guest's name with a fine-point marker or calligraphy pen. If you don't like your handwriting, print out each guest's name on card stock. Depending on the size of your place card, you should be able to fit multiple names on a sheet, using double or triple columns and an attractive, clear font. Cut the cards to the appropriate size.

4. Avoid using just first names on the place cards. For a large gathering, it's possible you may have more than one John or more than one Mrs. Smith, particularly when many family members are invited. Use first and last names, such as John Smith, Mary Smith or John Smith, Jr. to designate between a parent and child with the same named invited to the party.

5. Formal etiquette typically dictates that guests are seated male next to female, and couples are separated so they aren't tempted to talk only to each other -- or to argue with each other. Separating people who know each other also encourages your guests to get to know each other better.

6. Consider seating couples next to each other, but also next to other people with whom they might share similar interests or who might have children the same age. Use common sense when placing your guests. Avoid potential conflict by separating verbal guests with acknowledged divergent political or religious views, or guests who have a difficult history.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider using a menu card instead of a place card if you offer meal choices. The menu card not only includes your guest's name, but it also includes entrée choices that can be checked, and is filled out at the plate and returned to a server or host.

• Before your anniversary party, draw a seating chart so you can get a visual of where everyone is sitting and confirm that you've placed everyone in the appropriate places.

References

• "The Amy Vanderbilt Complete Book of Etiquette;" Letitia Baldridge; 1978
• Wedding Channel from the Knot: Reception Seating Etiquette Musts
• Wedding USA: Place Cards and Escort Cards...What is the Difference?