On top, are examples of place card holders that I have collected through the years, along with two place settings at elegant dinner parties that I have attended.
We all know how much effort it takes to host a memorable, seated dinner party for our guests! One aspect that takes time and considerable thought is the seating placement. A place card (or seating card) tells a guest where they will be seated at the table. Guests tend to appreciate place cards because they serve to confirm that the host cares about creating an atmosphere for delightful and engaging conversation between their guests. They also serve to eliminate that awkward dance of “where should I sit?” out of the equation! With that in mind, I received this from a darling subscriber:
“I was recently at a beautiful dinner party where the hostess no doubt had made every effort to thoughtfully prepare her seating plan. I was aghast to see a couple of guests rearranging the place cards to seat themselves in a different location than where the hostess had planned for them. REALLY??? Have you ever had this happen? The hostess was quietly gracious but I’m sure she was filing this behavior away for future reference… can you spell, faux pas?!!”
Oh, dear! Changing the placement of a place card is a BIG no-no for a guest! I have indeed witnessed this at larger functions, i.e., weddings.
As a guest, remember that a dinner invitation is a gift to you from the host, and thus, your seating placement is not something to be tossed aside at will. Showing gratitude for being invited, and respect for an appointed seat at the table, is something to be revered… especially if you wish to be invited back!
If there is not a place card present, the host may direct a guest to their seat, or the guests may choose where they wish to be seated.
Outside of our family, place cards are on our table for dinner parties, but not necessarily for parties of six or less. Why not for six? “Six seats itself,” is a saying that my precious English friend shared with me. It translates to three couples who can easily seat themselves to be equally integrated with their seating placement, alternating boy & girl!
Six option 1: The host and hostess are seated at either end of the table, while one couple is seated on either side of the table, either together as a couple, or mixed.
Six option 2: Three guests face one another in the center of a long table. For example, two lady guests with the host in between on one side, and two gentlemen guests with the hostess in between.
Scully & Scully have a charming selection of place card holders and kindly photographed my favorite one. While it would normally be placed above the place setting, it is on top of the handsome snaffle bit plate for a closer look!
Grandmillenial tips:
Place cards need to be legible! I use gold ink, black ink, and even pink ink, go figure!
For a formal dinner, black or gold ink is used, and a title (Ambassador, General, etc.) may be included with the first and last name.
For an informal dinner, using just the first name is acceptable.
A place card may be displayed in a place card holder, or it may also be arranged above the dinner plate, centered on the place setting, or placed above the forks.
A folded (tented) place card does not require a holder.
For business functions, a tented card may be larger than a regular place card, and it may have the person's name printed on both sides so that others sitting at the table can also see whom they are addressing at the meeting.
The paper color and design are the same for both the place card, the menu card, and also, the table card (indicating the table number) for larger functions.
At a seated function, especially with more than one table, when a guest does not show up, the entire place setting and chair may be requested to be removed by the serving staff. Then, the other guests can scoot closer together without having an empty gap in the table seating… which is much more conducive to imparting lively conversation!
It has been a delight to collect various place card holders to complement various themes, celebrations, and seasons. What are some of your favorites?
XX
Holly
P.S. Please be a dear…share this with a friend and inspire them to subscribe!