Table Names, Favors and Personal Elements

It comes down to two simple choices when it comes to table names. You either go with numbers or names. Numbers and simple plain stands can be bought from Jo-Anns or Michaels. Remember to sign up online for coupons for either store or look in your Sunday paper before you go shopping.

If like me, you want something a bit different, your imagination is the only limit here.

You could find big flat pebbles and paint table numbers on them, if you are having flowers in a vase you could wrap your table number to the vase with pretty ribbons or collect old gold frames from garage sales or Goodwill stores and frame your number that way.

I bought clear 4×6 frames from Michaels. I then printed the table name and photo (thanks google images) on normal photo paper and then clipped with the same edger we used for our invites – this was then put onto red paper (which I had left over from making the invites) and into the frames. The tables were named after 10 of our favorite things that as a couple we love, cherished or just enjoyed. My partner’s Boston relatives weren’t too thrilled about being on a New York Yankees table!

The point is that it’s your wedding – it’s supposed to be about you as a couple so don’t be scared to throw in some personal elements – whether they are napkins with your favorite quotes hand stamped on them, or your favorite board games as center pieces!

My partner and I are really into the British sci-fi show “Doctor Who” so we incorporated some DW elements in our wedding. I made a “Mr and Mrs” Dalek cake toppers – although they only sat on the sidelines not the actual cake.  They were really easy to make – I found some tacky champagne bottle covers at the 99 cents store which I just slightly altered and put onto the Daleks!

When it comes to wedding favors, it’s not the time to blow your budget on $3 cookies or $4 matchboxes with your names on. No one ever really appreciates, let alone keeps these things – they are going to a landfill near you as soon as your guests leave. Why not instead make a donation to a charity that means something to you both? I Do Foundation https://www.idofoundation.org have an easy to use web site that allows you to buy a simple card to include at each place setting that lets your guests know about your donation. Each card has a space for you to write in your name and chosen charity. All basic place cards are free (you pay only the $6.95 shipping & handling) and don’t forget you can right off the donation when it comes to tax time!

Clare is originally from England but has lived in Los Angeles since 2001. She came here on a whim from London and for the most part hasn’t looked back. Except maybe once, when she ran out of tea bags. Clare currently lives in a coastal suburb of Los Angeles County with her partner and cats.