After all of the wedding invitation response cards have been sent back it's up to the bride and groom to decide where each attending guest should be seated. This may look like an easy task, but it can become a tedious chore. After looking at the names the bride remembers that Uncle Fred refuses to speak to Grandpa Joe, and hockey buddies have recently had a fight over a girl. Then there's the group of ten cousins that you want to have sitting together, but your reception tables only seat eight people. You can't tell guests to wander into the reception area and pick where they'd like to sit, so the joyous task begins of sorting everyone into fairly friendly groupings where hopefully no one's feelings will be hurt.

Wedding place card holders can be very useful at weddings, especially for larger celebrations. They can be helpful in several different ways, depending on your preferences. Place card holders can be set up at the entrance to the reception hall to make it easy for guests can find them as they enter. In this situation, the cards should list the guest's name and their table name or number. The guest can then carry their place card holder to their chair and use the holder to save their place.

A different option is to already have each place card holder set at each place setting. This does not give the guests an option of picking their seat at their assigned table, but it does allow you the opportunity to more easily maintain some space between guests who may not see eye to eye. One drawback to this method is that earlier guests who want a different seat may start to rearrange the place card holders to suit their own preference. If you're concerned this could take place, have a member of the bridal party to be watching as guests enter the hall.

If you have a smaller wedding and aren't as concerned with where your guests are sitting, or if you have a table guide showing each guest and their assigned table number, you can still incorporate place card holders as fun favors for your guests to take home. Instead of using them for names, you can print a thank-you message on the cards, or even a line or two of your favorite poem. By using them in a less practical way, you can a bit of fun and whimsy to your reception decor.

The wonderful thing about place card holders is that you can find them in a large variety of colors, shapes and themes. You can opt for the more customary miniature frame, or you can choose from coasters, luggage tags, tealights or keychains just to mention a few. Regardless your theme, you're guaranteed to find the perfect place card holders for your wedding.

Oh, and once you have the seating arrangements determined, make sure to add an additional place or two for guests who attend even though they said they wouldn't be. Every wedding has a surprise or two, and it's better to be prepared.