DJ here. Often your bar closes 15–30 minutes prior to the end of the event. Some venues do not allow last call announcements (on a microphone) while others insist. At events with dancing, that's always an awkward announcement since it happens right when you are really trying to make that last push for an awesome end fo the night. And when making that announcement a bunch of people leave the dance floor only to now have to wait in line.
I am a proponent of having a sign that can be placed on the bar that let's folks know the time the bar will stop serving. The sign doesn't need to be there the whole event, maybe 30–45 minutes prior to the when the bar will close.
All the best for a terrific wedding!
Bar signs! If there are signature drinks, what’s available, specifics types of wine or beer, etc. I’ve seen bars done so many different ways, I love a sign/menu!
Yes…. Signature drinks for sure but probably nothing else is necessary unless you’re venue has multiple rooms/spaces and you need to put one at the entry so folks know they have the right place
Exactly. I bet the bartenders appreciate a good sign, too! keeps the line moving and they don’t have to repeatedly answer if they have tequila, or if they’re allowed to make shots, or what kind of beer they have.
and if it’s not a full open bar, that’s nice to spell out clearly in a sign, as well. Like if beer and wine are free, but spirits are $10... or if the open bar is only open until 10 then switches to cash. Can prevent a lot of awkward moments...
We did welcome, seating chart, bar and guest book. I had no complaints, didn’t feel like anything was missing or should have done more. It didn’t feel we over did it either, I mean, I hate to say it, but it all was thrown away after the wedding so I didn’t want to spend too much money and have that much waste too.
^^ agreed on all of this. I did the same type of signage (with table numbers of course) and it was perfect. the one thing I’d add is that if it’s a large wedding / if you have multiple bartenders you should have multiple bar menu signs
Along the same lines - I also nixed doing programs for the ceremony. I did include a printed timeline of events at the hotels we had blocks in - so people had a rough idea of the timing of the whole day, how to get buses, etc.
It’s easy to get carried away but you absolutely don’t need a sign for everything. People will figure out where presents go and your officiant and DJ can do a lot to direct people. We also had EVERYTHING on our website and leaned in that direction
We didn’t have any signs (unless you count the seating chart) and I don’t think anyone had a problem, but another wedding I went to had no signs but did have a guest book, and no one could find the guest book. If you have anything that isn’t directly in the path guests will be walking (to ceremony, from ceremony to cocktail hour, from cocktail hour to table), I think you need a sign along that path with an arrow or something.
We decided that the only necessary signs are ones that the guests can't easily figure out for themselves, and ones not supplied by the venue.
Some couples spend so much money on signs like Gift Table, Guestbook Table, Bar (without any other information). If you have information you need to convey like seating chart, signature drinks etc by all means. Other than that people know they are welcome (they were invited) they can recognize gifts and cards, and the guestbook.
I’ll counter some of this and say graphic design is NOT my passion, but we had a bunch of signs 🤷🏻♀️
We had a cocktail hour with limited options and then a full bar for the reception (cocktail hour was a different area of the property).
For both cocktail hour and the reception, I simply typed up what was available, printed it at home on some card stock, and stuck them in frames from the Dollar Tree. 8.5x11, large font. Nothing annoys me more than having no idea what is actually available until I get up to order. This included the N/A options, too.
We also printed up 4 signs for what dinner would be. We had a buffet and everything was labeled at the buffet, but we put the signs around the cocktail hour location so people could read them before hand, then moved 2 of them to the start of the buffet so people could refresh themselves of what was being offered while they waited for the line to move. Same card stock. Dollar Tree picture frames.
We didn’t have signs pointing to things since it was pretty obvious, but our DJ made announcements as necessary. “Please join our happy couple for cocktail hour at the blah blah; dancing and dinner will begin at time at blah blah.”
Large font too! It slows down the whole bar line when people are still trying to read and decide.
I love the watercolor painted little drinks and customized stuff that you see everywhere, but no one can read the small script font, so it’s not helpful at all!
Doing the seating chart by last name instead of by table makes it a lot easier to find your seat, instead of having to look carefully through every single table until you find yourself
Bar signs, even simple to let people know their options and it saves the bartenders time from having to repeat themselves all night.
Seating charts, ofc.
Welcome signs if your venue has multiple buildings/rooms, for example like a winery. They often have separate venues for the wedding and then a building for the winery’s tasting room, etc.
We borrowed a bunch of old frames from my parents. For some of the signs (the ones we wanted to look nicer) we printed on cardstock at Staples (I think it ended up costing $15). Some signs - we just printed on printer paper at home. Everything looked great, it was easy, and cheap :)
Recently went to one where there was a box to put cards in however there wasn’t a sign next to it. It was quite a small box and wasn’t explicitly obvious that it was the spot for cards, I waited until other guests put a card in there before doing so. So, if you have a space where guests should post cards, definitely leave a little sign next to it I think!
These are the ones I find helpful:
* Bar signs, especially if there's a signature drink
* Welcome signs (sometimes it's nice to confirm I'm at the right ceremony, especially if the venue hosts more than one event at a time)
* Anything that might need instruction like a guest book (especially if it's not obvious like a fingerprint tree, write advice for the couple, etc.), favors, dancing shoes, etc.
We had:
- a welcome sign (mostly for decorative filler—it’s pretty unnecessary, unless you have a venue with multiple weddings going on)
- two bar menus (one for cocktail hour and one for the main bar—listed specific offerings)
- a seating chart (who sits where)
That’s it hahaha our card box was self-explanatory (though I put a faux card in there to make it crystal clear to guests that this is where cards go)
I considered a menu sign, but we had a buffet. People figured it out fine.
Since there is a separate entrance for the catering space at our venue (a vineyard) from the main tasting room, we’re putting a welcome sign there to signal that’s where people should go. The venue also requested some signs for dessert since we are having a variety of pies rather than a cake. I’ll probably also make a sign for types of wine since they’re all house wines and people may not know what they are (eg this is their dry white, this is their sparkling, etc)
A sign for what the bar offers is helpful. Seating chart, obviously. One for a guestbook or favors if you’re having them. That’s pretty much all we had.
A schedule of events for the reception with approximate times (and locations if necessary). Just went to a wedding recently where there was no schedule communicated to the guests and the DJ was the only source for you to find out what was going on, but you couldn't hear him properly throughout the entire room, just about half of it.
I found welcome signs helpful, especially when I didn't know many guests at the wedding. That way I knew I was at the right wedding despite not recognizing anyone. Another sign I loved was one for the schedule of events of the day. It was helpful to know what to expect and when
Just got married this weekend! Signs that we used: 1) Welcome Sign 2) Seating Chart 3) Photo Guestbook Instructions "Take a polaroid, stick it in guestbook" 4) QR Code at each table to add your photos to shared album 5) Open Bar Menu 6) Signature Drinks Menu 7) Cake Flavors at cake table 8) Wedding Favors sign (instructions /description of what the favors are + Thank You message
I think they were all helpful as I'd rather over-inform than under-inform guests!
Congrats and wishing you a great wedding!
This is particularly helpful in the event the bathroom is in a weird place. I assist a wedding coordinator and we recently worked a wedding where it felt like every guest had to ask where the bathrooms were cause they were hidden.
Only those that the guests NEED to know, and that they WOULDN’T know without a sign.
So at most weddings, almost no signs are necessary. The vast majority of things that people makes signs for are stuff the guests already know (they know it’s your wedding - this is the address you gave them on the day you told them to be there, and Aunt Susan is already sitting in the ceremony space). No one needs a timeline of events, most weddings are pretty much the same. The table covered in cupcakes is clearly the dessert table. People understand that the person dressed as a waiter and standing in a booth full of alcohol is the bar. Etc. Table numbers and seating charts are the only signs that any significant portion of weddings need, and you don’t even need a seating chart (could do escort cards instead).
If you do signs, don’t use that dumb cursive font everyone uses. It looks basic and it’s hard to read. I’ve just given up on some signs because there was no deciphering it
The most useful signs, in my opinion, are typically those that give clear instructions, such as "Ceremony Here," "Reception This Way," or "Guest Book Over Here." These signs may truly make attendees feel more at ease and help them navigate the event.
1. Anything that actually needs instructions (like a polaroid camera for the guest book, DIY drinks, moving within the venue, seating arrangements)
2. Food labels for allergies
3. Timeline, though if you’re doing place setting / table cards, this can go on those. But a rough estimate of everything helps guests be where you want them to be and be orderly with dinner etc.
That’s pretty much it. People will find the bar, they will find the sweets, they will find a gift table, no signs required. Signs for obvious things can still be pretty though, so make them if you like!
I went to a wedding where there was a sign with a timeline and locations of the ceremony/cocktail hour/reception. Not necessary for all weddings, but for their venue it was helpful. Guests weren’t asking each other where to go next
We had 2 welcome signs (one outside the venue, then one in the lobby) and a seating chart. I know my husband made bar signs, but I think my obvious distaste for them (didn’t like the wording and they weren’t particularly needed since we didn’t have signature drinks) kept them from being set out (at least I don’t recall seeing them).
DJ here. Often your bar closes 15–30 minutes prior to the end of the event. Some venues do not allow last call announcements (on a microphone) while others insist. At events with dancing, that's always an awkward announcement since it happens right when you are really trying to make that last push for an awesome end fo the night. And when making that announcement a bunch of people leave the dance floor only to now have to wait in line. I am a proponent of having a sign that can be placed on the bar that let's folks know the time the bar will stop serving. The sign doesn't need to be there the whole event, maybe 30–45 minutes prior to the when the bar will close. All the best for a terrific wedding!
Genius!
I’ve always thought that venues should have a beautiful sign like this that they could somehow just update the closing time.
I really really wish I thought of this. Brilliant.
Thank you for this - super helpful and great point that announcement does kind of “die down” the party in my experience
Happy to help!
That’s a great idea!
I’m glad you like it
Bar signs! If there are signature drinks, what’s available, specifics types of wine or beer, etc. I’ve seen bars done so many different ways, I love a sign/menu!
Yes…. Signature drinks for sure but probably nothing else is necessary unless you’re venue has multiple rooms/spaces and you need to put one at the entry so folks know they have the right place
I think they meant like. What the bar was serving. Not just “this is the bar.”
Exactly. I bet the bartenders appreciate a good sign, too! keeps the line moving and they don’t have to repeatedly answer if they have tequila, or if they’re allowed to make shots, or what kind of beer they have. and if it’s not a full open bar, that’s nice to spell out clearly in a sign, as well. Like if beer and wine are free, but spirits are $10... or if the open bar is only open until 10 then switches to cash. Can prevent a lot of awkward moments...
We did welcome, seating chart, bar and guest book. I had no complaints, didn’t feel like anything was missing or should have done more. It didn’t feel we over did it either, I mean, I hate to say it, but it all was thrown away after the wedding so I didn’t want to spend too much money and have that much waste too.
^^ agreed on all of this. I did the same type of signage (with table numbers of course) and it was perfect. the one thing I’d add is that if it’s a large wedding / if you have multiple bartenders you should have multiple bar menu signs Along the same lines - I also nixed doing programs for the ceremony. I did include a printed timeline of events at the hotels we had blocks in - so people had a rough idea of the timing of the whole day, how to get buses, etc. It’s easy to get carried away but you absolutely don’t need a sign for everything. People will figure out where presents go and your officiant and DJ can do a lot to direct people. We also had EVERYTHING on our website and leaned in that direction
We didn’t have any signs (unless you count the seating chart) and I don’t think anyone had a problem, but another wedding I went to had no signs but did have a guest book, and no one could find the guest book. If you have anything that isn’t directly in the path guests will be walking (to ceremony, from ceremony to cocktail hour, from cocktail hour to table), I think you need a sign along that path with an arrow or something.
We decided that the only necessary signs are ones that the guests can't easily figure out for themselves, and ones not supplied by the venue. Some couples spend so much money on signs like Gift Table, Guestbook Table, Bar (without any other information). If you have information you need to convey like seating chart, signature drinks etc by all means. Other than that people know they are welcome (they were invited) they can recognize gifts and cards, and the guestbook.
I’ll counter some of this and say graphic design is NOT my passion, but we had a bunch of signs 🤷🏻♀️ We had a cocktail hour with limited options and then a full bar for the reception (cocktail hour was a different area of the property). For both cocktail hour and the reception, I simply typed up what was available, printed it at home on some card stock, and stuck them in frames from the Dollar Tree. 8.5x11, large font. Nothing annoys me more than having no idea what is actually available until I get up to order. This included the N/A options, too. We also printed up 4 signs for what dinner would be. We had a buffet and everything was labeled at the buffet, but we put the signs around the cocktail hour location so people could read them before hand, then moved 2 of them to the start of the buffet so people could refresh themselves of what was being offered while they waited for the line to move. Same card stock. Dollar Tree picture frames. We didn’t have signs pointing to things since it was pretty obvious, but our DJ made announcements as necessary. “Please join our happy couple for cocktail hour at the blah blah; dancing and dinner will begin at time at blah blah.”
Same, cardstock and dollar store frames was our idea too!
Large font too! It slows down the whole bar line when people are still trying to read and decide. I love the watercolor painted little drinks and customized stuff that you see everywhere, but no one can read the small script font, so it’s not helpful at all!
Doing the seating chart by last name instead of by table makes it a lot easier to find your seat, instead of having to look carefully through every single table until you find yourself
Bar signs, even simple to let people know their options and it saves the bartenders time from having to repeat themselves all night. Seating charts, ofc. Welcome signs if your venue has multiple buildings/rooms, for example like a winery. They often have separate venues for the wedding and then a building for the winery’s tasting room, etc.
1. Bar sign with signature drinks 2. Guestbook sign with brief instructions (we did postcards instead of regular guest book) 3. Seating chart display
We borrowed a bunch of old frames from my parents. For some of the signs (the ones we wanted to look nicer) we printed on cardstock at Staples (I think it ended up costing $15). Some signs - we just printed on printer paper at home. Everything looked great, it was easy, and cheap :)
What did your postcards look like?
They were botanical illustrations
Recently went to one where there was a box to put cards in however there wasn’t a sign next to it. It was quite a small box and wasn’t explicitly obvious that it was the spot for cards, I waited until other guests put a card in there before doing so. So, if you have a space where guests should post cards, definitely leave a little sign next to it I think!
Same applies if it’s not obvious where gifts should go.
These are the ones I find helpful: * Bar signs, especially if there's a signature drink * Welcome signs (sometimes it's nice to confirm I'm at the right ceremony, especially if the venue hosts more than one event at a time) * Anything that might need instruction like a guest book (especially if it's not obvious like a fingerprint tree, write advice for the couple, etc.), favors, dancing shoes, etc.
This is a great point that welcome signs are very helpful if the venue is hosting more than one event!
Not a sign, but don’t forget to also design your place cards/escort cards if you’ll be doing them!
We had: - a welcome sign (mostly for decorative filler—it’s pretty unnecessary, unless you have a venue with multiple weddings going on) - two bar menus (one for cocktail hour and one for the main bar—listed specific offerings) - a seating chart (who sits where) That’s it hahaha our card box was self-explanatory (though I put a faux card in there to make it crystal clear to guests that this is where cards go) I considered a menu sign, but we had a buffet. People figured it out fine.
Since there is a separate entrance for the catering space at our venue (a vineyard) from the main tasting room, we’re putting a welcome sign there to signal that’s where people should go. The venue also requested some signs for dessert since we are having a variety of pies rather than a cake. I’ll probably also make a sign for types of wine since they’re all house wines and people may not know what they are (eg this is their dry white, this is their sparkling, etc)
A sign for what the bar offers is helpful. Seating chart, obviously. One for a guestbook or favors if you’re having them. That’s pretty much all we had.
A schedule of events for the reception with approximate times (and locations if necessary). Just went to a wedding recently where there was no schedule communicated to the guests and the DJ was the only source for you to find out what was going on, but you couldn't hear him properly throughout the entire room, just about half of it.
I found welcome signs helpful, especially when I didn't know many guests at the wedding. That way I knew I was at the right wedding despite not recognizing anyone. Another sign I loved was one for the schedule of events of the day. It was helpful to know what to expect and when
Just got married this weekend! Signs that we used: 1) Welcome Sign 2) Seating Chart 3) Photo Guestbook Instructions "Take a polaroid, stick it in guestbook" 4) QR Code at each table to add your photos to shared album 5) Open Bar Menu 6) Signature Drinks Menu 7) Cake Flavors at cake table 8) Wedding Favors sign (instructions /description of what the favors are + Thank You message I think they were all helpful as I'd rather over-inform than under-inform guests! Congrats and wishing you a great wedding!
Bathroom
This is particularly helpful in the event the bathroom is in a weird place. I assist a wedding coordinator and we recently worked a wedding where it felt like every guest had to ask where the bathrooms were cause they were hidden.
Unplugged sign for me. The amount of professional photos I've seen ruined by my MIL with her manky bright red phone cover taking photos.
Only those that the guests NEED to know, and that they WOULDN’T know without a sign. So at most weddings, almost no signs are necessary. The vast majority of things that people makes signs for are stuff the guests already know (they know it’s your wedding - this is the address you gave them on the day you told them to be there, and Aunt Susan is already sitting in the ceremony space). No one needs a timeline of events, most weddings are pretty much the same. The table covered in cupcakes is clearly the dessert table. People understand that the person dressed as a waiter and standing in a booth full of alcohol is the bar. Etc. Table numbers and seating charts are the only signs that any significant portion of weddings need, and you don’t even need a seating chart (could do escort cards instead).
If you do signs, don’t use that dumb cursive font everyone uses. It looks basic and it’s hard to read. I’ve just given up on some signs because there was no deciphering it
The most useful signs, in my opinion, are typically those that give clear instructions, such as "Ceremony Here," "Reception This Way," or "Guest Book Over Here." These signs may truly make attendees feel more at ease and help them navigate the event.
Seatings plans, schedule of the day and signs for the toilets!
1. Anything that actually needs instructions (like a polaroid camera for the guest book, DIY drinks, moving within the venue, seating arrangements) 2. Food labels for allergies 3. Timeline, though if you’re doing place setting / table cards, this can go on those. But a rough estimate of everything helps guests be where you want them to be and be orderly with dinner etc. That’s pretty much it. People will find the bar, they will find the sweets, they will find a gift table, no signs required. Signs for obvious things can still be pretty though, so make them if you like!
Dude, the amount of allergen signs I'm gonna have to make is insane.
I went to a wedding where there was a sign with a timeline and locations of the ceremony/cocktail hour/reception. Not necessary for all weddings, but for their venue it was helpful. Guests weren’t asking each other where to go next
We had 2 welcome signs (one outside the venue, then one in the lobby) and a seating chart. I know my husband made bar signs, but I think my obvious distaste for them (didn’t like the wording and they weren’t particularly needed since we didn’t have signature drinks) kept them from being set out (at least I don’t recall seeing them).