Paper rounds attached to pleated ribbons acted as clever escort cards at this racetrack wedding in Saratoga Springs.

These seating cards were pinned to an oversize map of the USA (outlined in twine) depicting where each person had traveled from to attend the wedding. In big letters at the bottom it read "Welcome to the Heartland".

This bride transformed an old window she found in her parents' basement into a unique escort card display, using a white paint pen to write guests' names and table numbers.

This unique chart used letters instead of numbers mapped out the floor plan and table assignments: "W I E N" for Vienna (in German), "L O V E", and "H" and "M", representing the bride and groom’s last names. Gold satin bows were a fun touch.

In keeping with the literary theme of this couple's reception location, letterpressed bookmarks, calligraphed with attendees' names, led them to their seats.

Paper leaves inscribed with guests' names were tied to an array of different flower stems.

The mother of the bride created large watercolor paintings that were cut into tags and calligraphed by Angelique Ink. Each was hung with baker's twine from a stenciled screen the couple brought from their apartment.

To incorporate the natural beauty and spiritual connotation of natural crystals into Gabrielle and Chris's wedding in Wine Country, small stones were wrapped in copper wire and affixed to tags made by wedding planner and designer, Amy Kaneko, and stationer, Bella Figura.

A charming mirrored seating chart with names written in vinyl helps guests find their tables.

Tag-shaped cards with guests’ names and table numbers are strung between two ladders for a warm, rustic look.

Vintage mirrors doubled as seating charts for the adults at this North Carolina garden reception while the bride's personal dressing table directed the young guests to the kids' table.

A vibrant display of gem shapes cut from clear Lucite (I Love Lucite made these, 310-966-0740) show guests where they are seated. Cover them with calligraphed photography gels cut to fit, then hang with fishing line from a rod near your reception space -- the closer the better, so loved ones don't forget where to sit.

In lieu of an escort table, tuck leaves into slits in branches -- guests will see the arrangement as a piece of modern art.

No. 12. Punch by Martha Stewart Crafts.

Instead of place cards, opt for this unique idea: String metal trinkets and hand-punched name tags onto ribbons, then tie them around napkins to be laid at each spot. After dinner, guests can wear them as bracelets.

Beads on Fifth charms (212-244-6616). Uchida Clever Lever super jumbo scallop rectangle punch and Offray ribbon, createforless.com. Paper Source cover paper. Calligraphy by Paperfinger.

This couple affixed buttons printed with guests' names to stamped card-stock cutouts and pinned them to a snappy red board.

Tie calligraphed die-cut birds to branches labeled with guest seat assignments for an etheral outdoor display.

An old photo of each wedding guest serves as a personalized escort card labled with their seating assignment -- not to mention a fun conversation starter.

Deal out seating cards disguised as the playing variety to guide guests to their tables. (Manifesto Letterpress created ours.) Place them in stands on tables, and you've got style in spades.

The best part about this display is it doubles as decoration. Once attendees slide off the papers bearing their table numbers, the ribbons remain as cheery party streamers (we used M&J Trimming 1-inch Chromspun ribbon).

To hang them, loop one end over a dowel suspended from the ceiling; secure with a dot of glue. You can also drape them from tree branches or tack them to a wall. (One crafting tip: Be sure the slits in the cards are a smidge wider than the ribbon -- otherwise they won't slip down easily.)

To play up a travel theme, give reception tables city names instead of numbers. Frame a large map with guest names listed near each point on the map so they can navigate to their seat.

Single silk cosmos in juice glasses bear tags with each guest's name and table number. Print the tags from a computer in color onto card stock. Cut cards to size, and trim with scallop shears. Punch a hole in each; tie to a flower with waxed twine.

For an aromatic seating card, two strips of paper -- with the guest's name printed on one end and the table number on the other -- are tied with satin ribbon to lavender wrapped with floral tape.

To go along with a confetti theme, toss a smattering of color-coordinated circles announcing guests' names and table numbers. To ensure that your palette is as elegant as it is effervescent, make sure to mix in muted shades with neon brights.

These tiny chairs may be too small for sitting, but they are the perfect size for displaying guests' names and table numbers. The seats are made from heavyweight paper -- we used pale yellow for ladies and pale green for gents -- and can be calligraphed or run through a printer. Tidy rows, however, won't stay that way if a breeze blows by, so make this an indoor display.

For a rustic autumn wedding, craft-punched bright paper leaves bearing guests' names transform bare branches into majestic trees; we cut slits into the branches with a craft knife and then slid in the leaves.

Mega giant oak leaf, maple leaf, and birch leaf punches, by The Punch Bunch, from Scrappily Ever After.

Sewn escort-card flags sit atop a bed of carnations in a copper tray.

Escort cards letterpressed at Hatch Show Print and written out by the couple's friend hang on painted shutters.

Black-and-white escort tags hang from an eclectic mix of knobs from Anthropologie mounted on a vintage door.

Vintage typewriter keys, most of them from 1920s Smith Coronas and Remingtons, are set on place cards to direct guest to their dinner tables.

Scrabble letters come together to create playful seating assignments at each table setting of this real wedding.

In place of an traditional escort card that guests can carry to their seat, seat assignments are found outlined in chalk on a roll of black paper at each table.

Write seating assignments on glass-paned doors to show off your reception scenery.

Paper butterflies alight on the rims of Champagne glasses, staying still just long enough for guests to find their seats.

Tuck seating assignments inside miniature glass bottles on a table labeled with guests' names so they can find their seats.

Outline guests' seating assignments on a custom-printed banner that can be kept as a keepsake.

The number of hearts on tented playing cards designates table assignments. The guests' names are on the other side.

Instead of labeling each table with a number, give each a constellation. Stamp it on a card, and place in a holder. Then guide your guests to their tables by making them seating cards with their table's constellation inside.

Guests' names are listed alphabetically on this seating chart so they are easy to find; an escort pin identifying their table sits next to each name.

To make our escort card holder any time of year, insert a few leafy branches (we used quince) into a vase and, using map pins, attach blossom-shaped confetti, each bearing a name and table number.

Lavender bunches from a local farm are tied together with calligraphed name tags.

"Peanuts" characters and guests' names were drawn in panes of a window frame, then hung in the trees, for this outdoor real wedding.

Paper-flag escort cards hung on two vintage windows at this country real wedding, which were propped up against the venue's old pickup truck.

Rather than relying on escort cards, let guests find their tables (all named for constellations) on a star chart-style seating diagram.

Inked with vintage letter and number stamps from Anthropologie, escort-card tags hung from lines of packing string at this colorful wedding in Marfa, Texas.

Beneath the towering floral arrangement were vintage springs, arranged on a mirrored tabletop, that held escort cards to lead guests to their tables.

A calligraphed favor box and a napkin decorated with a hand-dyed silk ribbon and tiny succulent awaited guests at place settings.