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Event Signage (UNBLOGGED)

In our last blog, I mentioned hashtag signage (http://loosemansionblog.com/2013/09/11/hashtag-your-wedding/) but signage is a broader topic that deserves more attention!  Signage provides a great opportunity to get creative and share a theme or feeling for an event.  But more importantly, your guests will appreciate good signage that ensures they are “in the know” about where to go, what to eat and drink, and what is expected during the event!

Where to Go

Start at the front door!  I was recently a guest at a wedding reception in another Kansas City location.  When we walked into the reception site, I initially thought it was great that there was signage there to let us know where to go inside the building.  Unfortunately, it wasn’t accurate and like many guests, we wandered from floor-to-floor looking for the correct location.  To ensure your guests aren’t delayed in getting to the fun event you’ve planned, make sure to either have a greeter or great signage just inside the front door!  Unless obvious, guests may also want to know what to do with a gift or gift card, and where to find refreshments and restrooms.

Epaga Foto

Photo: Epaga Foto, Signage: Andrew Kuttler

What to Eat and Drink

If your menu choices are straight forward, easily identifiable and there is a chef (or bartender) present and available, you may not need any signage.  However, signage can be fun, make items sound more special, and help guide guests to certain choices.  If you want to ensure your guests take notice of an item, such as a signature drink, include a sign on every bar and include the basic ingredients.  Guests will appreciate your thoughtfulness about allergies, gluten-free and other dietary needs, and if there is no one to ask and no signage, they can be uncomfortable with their choices.

Epaga Foto

Epaga Foto

If you’re serving a plated dinner, a printed menu at each place setting is most traditional.  However, sometimes groups will frame the menu and display on the dinner table, or place a large menu on an easel outside the dining room.  With buffets, individual tent or display cards next to each item are great, or consider a large sign on an easel or chalkboard next to the buffet.  My all time favorite was a menu handwritten on a large antique framed mirror and placed as the centerpiece on the buffet.  This was gorgeous and added to the vintage theme!

What is Expected

Guests like to know what you’re expecting of them.  Giving your guests some helpful hints or instructions for various activities will help put their minds and yours at ease!  This sign, which we located close to the front door during my wedding reception, helped my guests understand the kind of party we were throwing and how seating was being handled.

Photo: Epaga Foto, Signage: Andrew Kuttler

Photo: Epaga Foto, Signage: Andrew Kuttler

Traditional guest books with an attendant need no explanation.  But, if you’re planning something like a wish tree, bottles to sign, fingerprints, or puzzle pieces, these are best with accompanying signage.  Your signage will make the process quicker and encourage participation because guests understand what is expected.     

For More Help with Signage

  • For design ideas, www.Pinterest.com is my “go to website.”  Also, do you have a friend or family member who is a graphic designer, artist or just extremely creative?  This is a great wedding gift!
  • For wording on menu items and for help in determining what signage is needed for your event, see your venue/catering professionals.  At Loose Mansion, we have a number of pre-printed signs, lovely frames and easels that we provide for clients.
  • For printing needs, there are many resources.  Depending on the job and company, you may be able to upload your own design online or in the store.  Following are my favorites: