27 Types of Wedding Signs to Consider for Your Big Day | The Ultimate Wedding Sign Checklist
/I LOVE signs. They are the simplest way to add your theme/colors and some personalization to your wedding or event. I literally design sets of custom signs for every event that I plan. Here is my complete list of signs you should consider for your big day - now I’m not saying you NEED all of them, that may be a bit too much. But I wanted to curate a complete list of them with wedding sign ideas for each so that you know what the options are.
You can download the FREE Wedding Sign Checklist at the bottom of this page!
Also, I recently launched my Etsy shop - PrettiestPartyGirl - where I post all of the signs I create for the different events that I plan, including a ton of really cute wedding signs. I finally started my shop after I realized that it’s kind of a pain to buy your wedding signs now - either they are super expensive or you just buy a template off Etsy and you have to figure out how to design everything, then you have to print it… which is expensive. So I created a line of ACTUAL signs that are printed on foam core board and actually shipped to your door. This way you can get a designer look at a fraction of the cost AND you don’t have to mess with designing and printing everything yourself. You have enough on your plate!
I would LOVE if you would head over to Etsy and Favorite my shop - that way you will see each time I add more wedding signs to my collection! I also have some really fun bachelorette party backdrops, signs and swag in there too!
Ok… back to the task at hand. Here is my complete checklist of wedding sign ideas:
Welcome Sign
This one is obvious - but I’m not sure people fully realize the impact of a fantastic wedding welcome sign display. Having a welcome sign that fits your theme and scheme plus adds some personalization to your big day adds SO much to your event. My favorite way to go about this is to have a pretty simple sign, then place it on an easel or a table and decorate with floral (you can ask your florist to create an arrangement just for this!) and other décor items that go with your theme, scheme and colors. This also makes for a cute photo op for your guests as they arrive!
Here are a few of the welcome signs available in my Etsy shop - click the image to shop or favorite them on Etsy and add them to your Pinterest board from there!
Program Sign
This is a sign that introduces your bridal party and basically everyone who will be walking down the aisle. Traditionally this was done on a piece of paper and handed out to each guest as they entered, but that is kind of wasteful. A sign has a bigger impact aesthetically!
Order of Events Sign
This sign just explains the schedule for the evening. Again, this was traditionally done on a piece of paper, handed to each guest along with the event program. But a sign is much cuter!
Unplugged Ceremony Sign
If you don’t want people on their phones, this sign is a MUST. You would think it would be obvious, but if you don’t remind your guests to turn off their phones, someone is going to get a call or notification right in the middle of your vows. This sign also reminds guests to unplug from daily life and be present with you for this huge moment - we all need a friendly reminder to do that sometimes.
In Memory of Signs
I love finding meaningful ways to include deceased loved ones into your big day. I like to set up a chair for them with sign, their photo and some flowers. You could also do a small table if you have multiple people you would like to honor.
Ceremony Seating Sign & Reserved Seating Signs
Guests always walk up to a ceremony all nervous, not sure what the correct etiquette is for where they should sit. Giving them a heads up with reserved seating signs and where you would like them to sit can help the ceremony seating process be a bit smoother for them. Traditionally, the groom’s family and friends sat on the right and the bride’s say on the left, but “choose a seat, not a side” signs are popular to help the two groups mingle a bit more.
Ring Bearer/Flower Girl Signs
This is just purely for the cuteness factor. There are a ton of really cute ideas, my favorite is something along the lines of “here comes your girl” carried by the ring bearer. You could also surprise your partner with a special little message and have each flower girl or ring bearer carry down a part of it.
Directional Sign
This is a sign that points out where the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception will be taking place. It’s super helpful, so people don’t have to wander. It also can be super cute and great place to add in some of your color, theme and personality.
Restrooms Sign
If the restrooms aren’t obvious, I like to make a little on-theme sign that points them out. You don’t want people coming up to you asking where they are.
Cocktail Hour Welcome
This sets the tone for your cocktail hour - what do you want guests to be doing? Mingling? Drinking? Playing games? Let them know! Usually you don’t want to spend too much budget on your cocktail hour set up, so a sign is a simple way to personalize it and add your theme and wedding colors.
Cocktail Activities/Games
If you do have yard games or some activity for guests during cocktail hour, let them know! If you don’t have a sign, often times the activity will just sit there because people aren’t sure if they are supposed to be doing it. The more you can guide your guests through the experience, the better. Especially if you are doing some unique things for your big day. Signs help you explain without you having to be there. And, again, they are super cute.
Cocktail Food & Bar Signs
Let guests know what’s on the menu for cocktail hour (and add your colors, theme and personalization at the same time!) For passed hors d'oeuvres, you can make little cards that go on the trays. For a buffet or food bar situation, I suggest making a larger sign so guests don’t miss it!
Tell-The-Story Signs, Family Photos or Relationship Timeline Sign
This is a fun little touch for your cocktail hour - it’s a great way to break the ice for your guests and get them to start mingling. The more your guests mingle and get to know each other, the more comfortable they will feel once the party starts. And it’s more fun! This also adds a super personal touch and really makes it YOUR wedding day, not just another wedding.
Seating Chart
Seating chart signs are another of my favorite places to add some personality and theme to your wedding. Again, I prefer to do a simple sign and spruce it up with floral and décor items that go with your aesthetic! A pretty seating chart is a MUST!
Here are a few of the seating charts from my Etsy shop - click the image to shop and favorite them on Etsy and add them to your Pinterest board:
Dinner Menu
If you aren’t going to have a menu on each place setting, you can do a large sign at the entrance of your reception with a menu, or do smaller signs that sit on your tables next to your table numbers. If you are doing a buffet, I love to have a large sign at the beginning letting guests know the options - this will help your line move faster since they can decide what they want while they wait!
Bar Menu & Signature Cocktails
Let guests know their beverage options for the evening! Also a very sweet place to add your personality as a couple.
Here are a few signs from my shop - they can be personalized to be bar menus, signature cocktail menus or a combo of both! Click the image to shop and favorite them on Etsy and add them to your Pinterest board:
Tips Sign (or no tips)
Guests are never sure what they are supposed to be doing with tips. Make a little sign that gives them a heads up as to whether they should be tipping the bartenders or not!
Food Bar or Satellite Bar
If you are going to have some sort of food bar or specialty drink satellite bar, you NEED a sign! You don’t want guests to miss out on the experience (that you probably paid a lot for).
Dessert Table
You could just do a sweet little custom sign here (my initials signs and best day ever signs from my shop are perfect!) or let guests know what’s on the menu! If you are doing something special, you definitely should include a cute little sign to add to the experience and personalize it.
Cards & Gifts
Guests will be looking for this sign when they come in - be sure you have one!
Here are the Cards & Gifts signs available in my shop:
Guestbook
If you want guests to actually sign your guestbook, you definitely want to have a sign pointing it out! Otherwise, it’s pretty likely they will forget. I like to have the guestbook (and sign) at cocktail hour then move it to the reception so guests have multiple opportunities to sign it.
Favors & Thank You
If you don’t have a sign, your favors will probably sit there untouched. I love to use this sign as an opportunity to say thank you too!
Shop my Favors and Thank You Signs:
Reception Activities or Props
If you have some sort of activity or prop for your reception - think photo booth, sunglasses or other props for the dance floor, etc. - you want a sign to let guests know! Again, it’s so important to guide them through the experience you want them to have. And you are spending a lot on these things, make sure they don’t just sit there!
Wedding Hashtag
If you have a hashtag that you want your guests to use, I highly recommend making a little sign or two to let guests know what it is! You can put one at cocktail hour and one at the bar to remind your guests to use it!
Quote/Decorative Signs
These signs are just to add some personalization to your wedding day and a nice pop of your colors!
Sweetheart Chair or Table
These signs can go on the front of your sweetheart table, or hang on the back of your chairs. They make for super cute photos!
Grand Exit Sign
If you are wanting to do a grand exit with props (such as sparklers), you are going to want a sign explaining what’s going on! If you just put the props by the exit without any explanation, guests probably won’t know to grab them or to participate in your exit.