Surprise Suspended Wedding Seating Chart Idea

Photograph by Sweet Little Photographs

Escort card tables are normally the first thing a guest sees at a wedding reception, and if you're looking to make a big impression, that's the place to start. It seems that unique wedding seating chart ideas are far and few between because all of the brilliant ones are used time and time again, but luckily for you, that's not true. The most innovative and original way to guide your guests to their seats is with the Surprise Suspended Wedding Seating Chart Idea. This easy and inexpensive way to direct your friends and family is a fun addition to your wedding decor. The best part about this fun idea is the versatility. Use this unique wedding idea to fit your theme, whether classic, glamorous, rustic, or vintage. Indoors and outdoors this creative concept shines; just be sure to put weights on the ribbon for a windy day. This DIY wedding craft would look unreal with gold numbers, as shown, black ribbon, and white and black name tags.

Materials:

• 3D cardboard numbers
• Acrylic paint (in a color that matches your scheme)
• Ribbon (in a color that matches your scheme)
• Cardstock (two colors that match your scheme)
• Marker
• Hot glue gun
• Strong, non-watery adhesive (e.g. glue dots, rubber cement)
• Fishing line or twine
• Scissors

Instructions:

1.) Paint your cardboard numbers using either regular paint or spray paint. Don't use too much paint. Spray from about 10 inches away. Allow numbers to fully dry.

2.) While numbers are drying, cut out name tags for each guest. The background paper should be two inches tall and about four and a half inches long. The foreground paper should be one and a half inches tall and four inches long.

3.) Write the names on the foreground paper before gluing the two sheets together.

4.) Glue the foreground cardstock to the background cardstock with a non-watery adhesive so as not to smear that name or make the cardstock buckle.

5.) The number of guests at the table will affect the length of the ribbon. Even if all tables have the same number of guests, tables with singles rather than couples will require more names be displayed. Each piece of ribbon should be two to three feet long. Before cutting your ribbon, space out your name tags with about an inch in between each one to ensure the ribbon will be long enough. Remember to leave room for the ribbon to attach to the number and to have extra at the bottom.

6.) Using a hot glue gun, glue two strands of ribbon to the bottom of each number. Place glue on about an inch of the end of each ribbon strand, and place glued portion on the back of the number. Allow to dry.

7.) Once dry, hot glue each name tag to the appropriate table number's ribbon. Place a dot of hot glue on each strand, and place the name tag down. Allow to dry.

8.) The required length of fishing line will depend on the number of tables and the area in which you're hanging the display. Your best bet is cutting the line after gluing it. Leave at least three feet of line at each end if you're tying the display. You'll also want about a foot of room between each table number. Stretch out the line, placing a dot of glue on the top of each number and pressing the line to it. Once you have glued all the numbers down, and have left enough excess, cut the line.

9.) You are now ready to display your Surprise Suspended Seating Chart!