Both practical and decorative, wedding signage is an important detail that can elevate the atmosphere at your wedding and help guide guests through your big day.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about wedding signage—what it is, the different types, popular trends, creative ideas for wedding signage wording, materials, display tips, and pricing.

What is Wedding Signage?

Wedding signage refers to the various signs couples use throughout their venue to direct guests, label areas, share information, set a mood, and enhance decor.

Signs serve practical purposes while also contributing to the overall wedding decor. They help guests navigate the event space (think bathroom signs or cocktail hour signs), find their seats, and understand the wedding timeline or schedule.

Meanwhile, signage introduces color schemes, fonts, and other styling elements that reinforce the wedding theme. With so many purposes, it's no wonder signage is considered a wedding staple!

Types of Wedding Signs

Wedding signage falls into a few popular categories. Here's a look at some of them.

Wedding Welcome Signs

Wedding welcome signs greet guests as they arrive on your wedding day.

These signs express the couple's unique style and wedding theme from the start. Popular placements include the entrance to the ceremony, bar, and reception site so it's easy to spot when guests arrive.

Some creative wedding welcome sign ideas include incorporating photos of the couple, custom calligraphy with the couple's names and wedding date, quotes about love, or the ceremony and reception schedule.

Flowers, greenery, paper cutouts, or fabric can provide beautiful backdrops for an elegant welcome sign.

Directional Signs

As the name suggests, directional signs point guests where they need to go.

They can range from a bathroom sign to a sign directing people to the photo booth.

Directional signs feature arrows or text indicating the location.

Seating Chart Signs

Seating signs direct guests to their assigned tables for reception dining.

They list table numbers with guest names or escort cards at each place setting. Seating signs help prevent confusion and make it easier for guests to find their seats.

Menu Displays

Creative menus educate guests on wedding cuisine and libations.

Menu signs can tie into your wedding theme through fonts, materials, and presentation style.

Escort Card Displays

Escort card displays house seating assignment cards in an organized, decorative way for guests to locate.

Displays range from frames to wood displays to foliage and more.

Wedding Main Table Ideas

The main table at a wedding reception serves as the focal point for the celebration. Having a main table sign is an opportunity to showcase more of the couple's personal style.

Some popular main table sign ideas include:

-Displaying the couple's new married name and wedding date. This celebrates their union and new journey together.

-Featuring a meaningful quote about love or marriage that resonates with the couple. Quotes from favorite books, movies, or love songs add a personal touch.

-Incorporating floral or greenery elements that coordinate with the wedding décor and bouquet arrangements on the table. This ties the design together beautifully.

-Adding special photos of the couple through the years growing up or during their relationship leading up to the wedding. These give guests insights into the couple's history.

-Listing the wedding party members' names to honor those standing up with the couple. This allows guests to put names to their faces.

Bar Signs

Fun bar signs label drink offerings and spice up the bar area.

Signs listing drink prices also prove useful for guests.

Wedding Favor Signs

Signs labeling wedding favors explain the significance or meaning behind the gifts.

Mr. & Mrs./Marry Me/Photo Backdrops

Backdrop signs supply photo staging areas with props for guests. These installations give weddings extra personality.

Ceremony Signs

Ceremony signs direct guests to—or label—the wedding ceremony location.

They also cover wedding programs or agendas, unity ceremony explanations, and more.

Restroom Signs

Restroom signs point the way to facilities for guest convenience.

Hashtag Signs

Hashtag signs encourage social media shares by providing suggested wedding hashtags. They give guests prompting to post online.

Thank You Signs

Couples can express gratitude with custom thank you signs for those involved or in attendance.

Popular Wedding Signage Trends

Signage styles come in and out of popularity like other wedding elements. Currently, many couples lean towards these hot sign trends:

-A rustic wood sign with stained finishes or painted calligraphy

-Chalkboard signs with hand-lettering

-Gold/rose gold metal and acrylic signs

-Neon and marquee light signs

-Minimalist white signs with modern fonts

-Frames or wreaths housing table numbers or seating charts

-Abstract artistic signs like brushstroke designs

-Signs made from alternative materials like geodes, dried foliage, and driftwood

-Nature-inspired woven wood or macrame hangers for signs

Creative Wedding Sign Ideas

Beyond the essential signs already described, some clever sign applications can make weddings extra meaningful or fun through personalized messages.

Get creative with signs featuring:

-Loving quotes, lyrics, or poems

-Romantic stories of the couple’s relationship timeline

-Sweet or funny anecdotes

-Nicknames for the newlyweds from family and friends

-Caricatures or illustrations depicting the couple

-The significance of wedding traditions on display

-Lawn game rules

-Well wishes, blessings, or wedding advice for the newlyweds

-Professional photos of the couple or meaningful moments leading up to the wedding

What are Wedding Signs Made Of?

Wedding signs come constructed from various materials to achieve different decorative styles.

Some of the most common materials include:

-Wood: Basswood, birch, oak, and pine are popular choices. Wood suits rustic themes best with painted or burn-etched designs.

Acrylic: Plastic acrylic signs work for any theme with cut-out text or engraved designs. The material resembles glass.

Fabric: Signs printed on fabric can be used as banners or backdrops.

Chalkboard: Actual chalkboards or faux chalkboard paper suit DIY sign needs.

Metal: Shapes like stars and circles or sign structures work in Galvanized steel, copper, brass, or gold/rose gold tones.

Foam: Foam provides blank sign canvas to paint or apply text and décor to.

Paper: Specialty paper like vellum suits printed escort cards or seating charts within displays.

Additional materials occasionally used for signs include stone, glass, reclaimed wood, dried/pressed botanicals, and much more. Nearly anything makes an interesting sign material!

Tips for Displaying Wedding Signs

To maximize visual appeal, consider these tips when positioning wedding signs:

-Incorporate signs into tablescapes among floral centerpieces.

-Hang signs at consistent heights based on line of sight.

-Angle signs so guests walking towards them can read clearly.

-Place signs in areas with sufficient lighting.

-Secure signs properly whether you're placing them on easels, stands, or hooks so they don’t fall.

-Allow adequate sign spacing so each piece stands out.

Tips for Beautiful, Effective Wedding Signs

Beyond display strategies, apply these tips for creating stunning, functional wedding signs:

-Use cohesive color schemes matching other décor.

-Incorporate comparable fonts across signs for cohesion.

-Print clearly in dark ink on opaque materials so the text is legible.

-Add logos, icons, and decorations sparingly to prevent visual clutter.

-Place signs along guests’ traffic flow patterns for visibility.

-Insert useful details like parking directions or restroom pointers.

-Use shapes, materials. and production techniques suiting the wedding style.

-Reflect the couple's personalities and interests through customized messages.

-Offer ample signs so guests always have nearby visual guidance.

-Proof carefully! Double-check spellings and information.

-Include accessibility elements like braille or raised text as needed.

Ideas for Funny Wedding Signs

Signage also provides fun opportunities to inject humor and laughs.

Funny sign ideas guests will get a kick out of include:

-Photo booth rule lists with silly requirements

-Clever food puns like “s’mac the kiss” or “you had me at brie-dough”

-Tasteful jokes about the couple or wedding party

-Self-deprecating marriage forecasts

-Hashtags riffing on the couple’s name mashup

-Pop culture references tailored to the couple

-Sarcastic instructions for wedding activities

-Limericks summarizing the love story

-Warning signs about getting crazy on the dance floor

-A signature “This wine is making me awesome” glass marker

Pricing for Wedding Signs

Costs vary for wedding signage based on the quantity, complexity, materials, and personalization factors.

On average, couples spend $200 to $800 on signs. On a minimal scale, basic sign rentals cost $2 to $20 each while intricate neon light installations land over $100 per piece.

For custom signs, prices range*:

-Chalkboard signs: $5 to $30

-Printed poster board signs: $7 to $60

-Foam board signs: $10 to $100

-Basic wood signs: $15 to $120

-Acrylic signs: $25 to $275

-Metal signs: $30 to over $300

-Framed signs: $20 to over $250

-Backdrop signs: $100 to $1,000

*Higher-end pricing reflects guest counts over 150, large sizing, intricate designs, etc.

Set the Stage with Stunning Signs

Through thoughtful communication, useful directions, and purposeful designs, signs enhance celebrations on all levels. Determine which signs best suit your wedding size, theme, and layout, then craft eye-catching pieces to wow your guests.

The Bell Tower on 34th is a Houston wedding venue dedicated to delivering excellent events that no one will ever forget.

Our purpose-built venue near Cypress, TX, is perfect for intimate events and for big weddings.

Learn more about our event packages.

The Bell Tower on 34th

901 W 34th St, Houston, TX 77018

(713) 868-2355