Article: According to custom, escort cards are tucked into miniature envelopes to be opened by the guests as they enter the reception area. If you decide to use envelopes, you'll write the guest's name on the face of the envelope and record their table number on the inside of the card itself. Envelopes are not only more formal, they also add an element of fun and surprise to the proceedings, since guests will have to open their cards to find out what table they've been assigned to. These days, many married couples prefer to keep things simple by using single-piece folding cards in lieu of stuffing each card into its own envelope. When using tent-style cards, display the guest's name on the outside of the card above their assigned table number, or list the table number separately on the card's interior. The major benefit of tent-style cards is that your guests will be able to pick them out and read them much faster, preventing a traffic jam at the entrance to the reception area. However, it also involves less work for you. To make it easier for your guests to pick out their cards, organize them from A-Z by last name on a large table in your reception area. Arrange them in neat rows, with the front of each card plainly visible. That way, they can simply scan each row until they find their card and be on their way. Someone with the last name "Adams," for instance, should be able to spot their card closer to the front of the table than a couple by the name of "Watanabe." If you have more than 1 married couple with the same last name, include the husband's first name so it's clear who you're referring to ("Mr. and Mrs. David Johnson," as distinct from "Mr. and Mrs. Steven Johnson"). If you intend to designate both the table and individual seat of each guest at your wedding reception, you'll need to create table and place cards as well. Double-check that the names and numbers on your escort cards correspond with those on the place and table cards to avoid confusing or misplacing your guests. Table cards are large placards used to identify each table in the reception area. They're typically numbered, but you could also assign your guests to tables named after your favorite flowers, songs, authors, or world wondersget creative! Place cards display the names of the guests at a particular table so that everyone knows who everyone else is. It will be necessary to print a separate place card with a unique seat number for each guest, rather than grouping them together the way you did on the escort cards.

What is a summary?
Seal your escort cards in envelopes. Go with tent-style cards for quick and easy seating. Set out your escort cards in rows alphabetically. Use matching table and place cards for assigned seating.