Every Sign You Need for Your Wedding: The Complete Checklist
Wedding signs are one of those things nobody thinks about until two weeks before the wedding. Suddenly it's midnight, you're deep in a Pinterest spiral, and you're wondering whether you need a dessert table sign or if that's overkill. (It's not overkill. Get the sign.)
Here's the full list of every sign you might need for your wedding day — organized by where and when your guests will see each one — so nothing falls through the cracks. Not every wedding needs every sign on this list, but you'll know exactly what your options are.
Ceremony Signs
These are the signs your guests see first, so they set the tone for the whole day. Most of them go near the entrance or along the aisle.
Welcome Sign
The big one. This is the sign that greets guests when they arrive — usually propped on an easel near the entrance to the ceremony space. It tells people they're in the right place (surprisingly helpful for outdoor venues) and sets the visual tone for everything else.
- Typical size: 24x36 on foam board with an easel
- What to include: Your names, wedding date, and optionally the venue name
- Wording examples: "Welcome to our wedding" or "Welcome to the [Last Name] Wedding" (see our full post on welcome sign wording ideas for more inspiration)
If you're not sure what size to go with, we wrote a whole guide on choosing the right size for your welcome sign — it depends a lot on the venue and where you're placing it.
And if you're still narrowing down the style, check out our roundup of welcome sign ideas for every wedding aesthetic.
Unplugged Ceremony Sign
More and more couples are going unplugged — and honestly, your photographer will thank you. Our Unplugged Ceremony Sign handles the messaging with style. There's nothing worse than a beautiful first-kiss shot with someone's iPad in the foreground.
- Typical size: 18x24 or 24x36
- Wording example: "We invite you to be fully present. Please turn off phones and cameras during the ceremony."
Keep the wording warm but clear. You want guests to understand it's a request, not a scolding.
Ceremony Seating Sign
This is different from your reception seating chart. A ceremony seating sign is for the "pick a seat, not a side" crowd — or if you do have a bride's side and groom's side, it helps direct people.
- Typical size: 18x24
- Popular wording: "Choose a seat, not a side — we're all family once the knot is tied"
Program Sign
If you're skipping printed programs (plenty of couples do), a sign with the order of events and wedding party names does the same job with less waste and less cost.
- Typical size: 24x36 (needs to be readable from several feet away)
- What to include: Order of ceremony events, wedding party names and roles, officiant name
Memorial Sign
An "In Loving Memory" sign for those who can't be there. These are usually placed on a small table near the entrance or in a quiet corner, surrounded by photos and candles. It's one of the most personal signs you'll have at your wedding — and one that really matters.
- Typical size: 18x24
- What to include: "In Loving Memory of Those Who Are Forever in Our Hearts" — keep it simple and heartfelt. Our In Loving Memory sign is one of our most popular memorial designs
Browse our printed memorial sign collection for designs that fit different styles.
Reception Signs
Once the ceremony wraps and everyone moves to the reception, there's a whole new set of signs that help things run smoothly. These are the functional ones — they keep guests from wandering around confused about where to sit or where to put their cards.
Seating Chart
This is one of the most important reception signs, and it's the one people underestimate the most. Your seating chart needs to be big enough to read from a few feet away — because there will be a line of guests trying to find their table at the same time.
- Minimum size: 24x36 (go larger if you have more than 100 guests)
- Pro tip: Alphabetical by last name is way easier for guests to scan than organizing by table number. Nobody knows what table they're at yet — they know their own name.
Table Numbers
Every table needs one. This sounds obvious, but it gets forgotten more than you'd think — especially when couples DIY their table numbers and realize at 10pm the night before that they forgot table 9.
- Options: Printed cards, acrylic numbers, framed prints, or even photos with numbers
- Make sure they're big enough to see from across the room — tiny table numbers defeat the purpose
Cards and Gifts Sign
A simple "Cards & Gifts" sign on the gift table tells guests where to put things without having to ask. Without it, you'll end up with gifts scattered across three different tables and cards handed to random bridal party members.
- Typical size: 8x10 or 5x7 in a frame
- Wording: "Cards & Gifts" or "Thank You for Being Here — Cards & Gifts"
Guest Book Sign
People need to be told what to do with the guest book — especially if yours is non-traditional (a photo guest book, a globe, a Jenga set). Without a sign, most guests will walk right past it.
- Typical size: 8x10 or 5x7
- Wording example: "Leave Your Wishes for the New Mr. & Mrs." or "Sign Our Guest Book"
If you're doing a photo guest book, take a look at our modern minimalist guest book sign — it's one of our most popular designs.
Photo Booth Sign
If you have a photo booth or selfie station, a sign lets guests know it's there and encourages them to use it. Include your wedding hashtag on this one so the photos end up somewhere you can actually find them later.
- Typical size: 8x10 or 18x24
Favors Sign
"Please Take One" — because without a sign, about half your guests will assume the favors are decoration and leave them on the table. (Then you're stuck with 85 leftover candles.)
- Typical size: 5x7 or 8x10
Food and Drink Signs
These signs do real work. They tell people what they're eating and drinking — which matters a lot more than you think, especially for guests with allergies or dietary restrictions.
Bar Menu Sign
If you're doing signature cocktails — and you should, because it's fun — your bar menu sign is where you name them. Even if you're just doing beer, wine, and liquor, a bar sign keeps the bartender from answering the same question 200 times.
- Typical size: 18x24 on an easel behind or beside the bar, or 8x10 directly on the bar top
- What to include: Signature cocktail names (bonus points for punny names), beer and wine options, non-alcoholic options
Buffet and Food Station Labels
Individual cards for each dish — and this is where you want to note allergens. "Penne Vodka (contains dairy, gluten)" takes five seconds to write and could save someone's night.
- Typical size: 5x7 cards or tent cards
- What to include: Dish name, brief description if needed, allergen info
Dessert Table Sign
If you have a dessert table or candy bar (beyond just the cake), a sign pulls it all together and makes it look intentional rather than like someone just set out a bunch of cookies.
- Wording: "Sweet Treats" or "Love is Sweet — Take a Treat"
Cake Sign
Optional, but a nice touch — especially if you have a custom cake and want to credit the baker, or if the cake flavor isn't obvious. "Lemon Elderflower" is helpful when people are deciding whether to grab a slice.
Late-Night Snack Station
If you're doing a late-night snack station (pizza, tacos, donuts at 11pm), a sign is essential. Guests need to know it exists, or they'll miss it entirely — and you'll be stuck with a lot of leftover pizza.
- Wording: "Late Night Bites" or the name of your station
Bonus Signs (Nice to Have)
These aren't strictly necessary, but they make the day smoother — or more fun. (If you're also hosting a bridal shower, our bridal shower planning checklist has a full timeline.) Pick the ones that apply to your wedding.
Parking and Directional Signs
If your venue has multiple buildings, a confusing parking situation, or the ceremony and reception are in different spots — directional signs save your guests (and your phone) from a flood of "where do I go?" texts.
- Wording: "Reception This Way →" or "Parking →"
Hashtag Sign
Your wedding hashtag for social media posts. Put it where guests will see it — near the photo booth, on the bar, or at the entrance to the reception. The more places you put it, the more likely people will actually use it.
- Typical size: 5x7 or 8x10
Sparkler Send-Off Sign
If you're doing a sparkler exit, you need a sign with instructions. Browse our printed and shipped signs for options that arrive ready to display. People are surprisingly bad at sparklers when there's no guidance. Include when to light them and where to put the used ones.
- Wording: "Light the way for the new Mr. & Mrs.!" plus safety instructions
Bathroom Signs
Amenity basket signs for the restrooms — or just a quirky note on the mirror. These are a small detail that guests genuinely appreciate. "You Look Amazing" on a mirror never hurts.
Quick Reference: Size Guide by Sign Type
Here's a quick reference so you know what size to order for each sign. For a deeper dive, read our complete wedding sign size guide. These are the most common sizes — you can always go bigger if your venue is large or the sign needs to be read from a distance.
| Sign Type | Recommended Size |
|---|---|
| Welcome Sign | 24x36 |
| Seating Chart | 24x36 (or larger) |
| Unplugged Ceremony | 18x24 or 24x36 |
| Memorial Sign | 18x24 |
| Program Sign | 24x36 |
| Bar Menu | 18x24 or 8x10 |
| Guest Book Sign | 8x10 or 5x7 |
| Cards & Gifts | 8x10 or 5x7 |
| Table Numbers | 5x7 or 4x6 |
| Food Labels | 5x7 or tent cards |
| Hashtag Sign | 5x7 or 8x10 |
For a deeper dive on welcome sign sizing specifically, read our complete welcome sign size guide.
Your Printable Wedding Sign Checklist
Screenshot this, print it, or save it to your phone — and check off each sign as you order it. Not every wedding needs every sign, so cross off anything that doesn't apply to yours.
Ceremony
- ☐ Welcome sign
- ☐ Unplugged ceremony sign
- ☐ Ceremony seating sign
- ☐ Program sign (if no printed programs)
- ☐ Memorial sign
Reception
- ☐ Seating chart
- ☐ Table numbers
- ☐ Cards & gifts sign
- ☐ Guest book sign
- ☐ Photo booth sign
- ☐ Favors sign
Food & Drink
- ☐ Bar menu sign
- ☐ Buffet/food station labels
- ☐ Dessert table sign
- ☐ Cake sign
- ☐ Late-night snack sign
Extras
- ☐ Parking/directional signs
- ☐ Hashtag sign
- ☐ Sparkler send-off sign
- ☐ Bathroom signs
Browse our full printed wedding sign collection or our signs and posters collection to see what's available.
People Also Ask
How many signs do you need for a wedding?
Most weddings have between 8 and 15 signs. The core ones — welcome sign, seating chart, table numbers, cards and gifts sign, and bar menu — cover the basics. From there, you add based on what your venue and reception setup call for. A backyard wedding with a buffet needs more directional and food signs. Planning a bridal shower or bachelorette too? Many of these signs work for those events as well. A ballroom wedding with plated dinner might need fewer.
What should a wedding welcome sign say?
At minimum: your names and wedding date. Most couples go with some version of "Welcome to our wedding" or "Welcome to the [Last Name] Wedding" (see our full post on welcome sign wording ideas for more inspiration) followed by the date. Some add the venue name or a short phrase like "We're so glad you're here." Keep it simple — this sign is about warmth, not information overload. We have a full post on welcome sign wording and ideas if you want more inspiration.
What size are most wedding signs?
The most common size for large signs (welcome sign, seating chart) is 24x36 inches — big enough to read from several feet away. Mid-size signs like bar menus and memorial signs are usually 18x24. Smaller signs like guest book and gift table signs are typically 8x10 or 5x7. Check the size guide table above for a full breakdown by sign type.
Do I need a seating chart AND table numbers?
Yes — they work together. The seating chart tells guests which table they're assigned to. The table numbers tell them which table is which. Without table numbers, guests find their name on the chart and then wander around trying to figure out which table is "Table 7." Without a seating chart, table numbers are meaningless because nobody knows where they're sitting.
When should I order my wedding signs?
Order your signs 4 to 6 weeks before the wedding. That gives you time for production, shipping, and a buffer in case anything needs to be reprinted. Seating charts are the exception — you'll need your final guest count and table assignments before ordering, so those usually go out 2 to 3 weeks before. Don't wait until the last week. Rush shipping is stressful and expensive.
Should all my wedding signs match?
They don't have to, but it looks more polished when they do. At minimum, your welcome sign, seating chart, and table numbers should share the same general style (fonts, colors, overall vibe). The smaller signs — gift table, guest book, bar menu — can be simpler versions of the same design. Matching doesn't mean identical. It means cohesive.