How-To Tip of the Week: DIY Table Numbers

Hello Brides and Grooms!

Here are a couple of tips on how to create DIY table numbers that also help to promote intermingling among your wedding guests.  These are really great if you decide to have assigned seating.

Table Numbers with Pictures

• Go to your local arts and crafts store (AC Moore, Hobby Lobby, etc) and purchase some frames.  I purchased 13 frames, both vertical and horizontal as we had 13 guest tables I wanted to put the frames on.  There are some websites that offer frames at good prices, but it is important to always take in account shipping costs.

• While at the arts and crafts store, also purchase items of your choice for your table numbers like: felt numbers, ribbon, beads, sequins, pearls, rhinestones, craft paper, stencils, markers, craft glue, hot glue gun, super glue (just to name a few). I purchased colors that matched our wedding color palette of: black and hot pink with accents of gold and white.

• If you have 13 tables, then you can number the tables based off of the bride and groom at a certain age.  For example, we had tables numbered 1,3,5,7,9,11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, and 25.  We then found pictures of us at that age. The funnier we looked, the better!  The picture of me at age 13 –with an outlandish wave of bangs– still brings  a warm smile to my face.

• Hopefully most of your pictures will not be copyright protected, and you can take them to a Wal-Mart and make copies at their photo center for just a couple of dollars as it truly is inexpensive.  Plus, you don’t want to use your original pictures in case something happens after the wedding (during clean-up) with the frames.

• Practice decorating your craft paper(where the pictures and table numbers will go) before gluing the pictures.  Sometimes, less embellishment is  better.  I really wanted the decorations to look tasteful and elegant, so it took some practice before I was satisfied. Additionally, too many embellishments makes it very difficult to slide your finished decoration into a frame.

• Use craft glue on the back of the pictures as hot glue and super glue will sometimes distort the front of your pictures.  Scotch-Tape works well too! Adhere the back of the picture onto the craft paper.  By adding the pictures to the table numbers, it can be great conversation starters for your guests, and also to motivate people to get up out of their seats and look at each table.

• Make sure to leave room for the table numbers!  I used black felt numbers that had adhesive on the back, but you can always draw the numbers or use stencils.  Just make sure that the numbers are really highlighted or “pop” on the craft paper, so that when your wedding guests look for table numbers, they can easily identify them.

• Slide your finished creation into the frame and voila!  These table number creations can be made all the same, or you can decorate each one different.

• Let your creativity shine!

More next week on  unique and elegant DIY seating charts!