Escort Cards vs Place Cards: What's the Difference?

Escort cards, place cards, and seating charts sound interchangeable, but each does a different job. Knowing the difference helps you decide what you actually need to print.

Escort cards: which table

Escort cards “escort” a guest to their table. Laid out at the entrance, each card shows a guest's name and table number or name. Guests pick up their card and find the table — then choose any seat. Escort cards are an alternative to a large seating-chart sign, and often double as favors.

Place cards: which seat

Place cards sit on the table, at each setting, marking a specific seat. Use them when you assign exact seats — for plated dinners, formal weddings, or head tables. Place cards can be used together with either escort cards or a seating chart.

Seating chart: everyone at a glance

A seating chart is a single display listing every guest and their table. It replaces escort cards and, like them, points guests to a table rather than a seat. List names alphabetically so guests find themselves fast.

Common combinations: seating chart or escort cards to find the table, then optional place cards for exact seats. You rarely need a chart and escort cards — they do the same job.

Print them from one plan

Whichever you choose, they should all come from the same source of truth. Build the arrangement in a seating planner and print a seating chart and place cards straight from it — no re-typing, no mismatches. For display inspiration, see seating chart ideas.