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The answer depends on the type of wedding you’re hosting. A courthouse ceremony, elopement, or casual reception may not need elaborate decor or directional signs. On the other hand, a formal ceremony or dinner with assigned seating often benefits from clear, thoughtful signage to guide guests and keep the day running smoothly.

Beyond practicality, signs also serve as a creative extension of your wedding theme. They’re a chance to showcase your personality, tie in your vision, and add stylish details that make your day feel cohesive. But not every sign is a must-have. So, which wedding signs do you really need, and which are simply nice to have?

Essential Wedding Signage

Directional Signs & Welcome Signs

Depending on your venue or shared space, clear signage can make a big difference in helping guests find the ceremony or reception. A wedding welcome sign at the entrance is a lovely touch that sets the tone for your day, while also providing essential information to your guests that they have arrived at the correct location. Take a peek at our Vendor Guide to help create your own wedding day signage.

Seating Chart, Name Tags, or Escort Wall

For receptions with assigned seating, a wedding seating chart (or creative escort display) is key to keeping your day organized and stress-free. This is also a fun opportunity to incorporate party favors or highlight your wedding theme. For smaller, more intimate guest lists, a simple name card at each place setting works just as well, as guests won’t be searching through a 200-person ballroom for their spot.

Table Numbers

If you’re using a seating chart, table numbers are essential and the clearest way for guests to find their place without confusion.

Bar Signage

A bar menu is both practical and fun. It helps guests quickly choose their beverage and gives you a chance to showcase signature cocktails, specialty drinks, or mocktail options. A well-designed bar sign can also serve as an extension of your wedding theme and personalities. 

Guest Book, Gift Table, or Instant Camera Station

A little direction goes a long way for interactive stations. Whether it’s a note on how you’d like guests to sign the guest book, a sign pointing them to the gift table, or instructions for snapping a Polaroid, signage ensures guests feel comfortable participating and know exactly what to do.

Non-Essential Wedding Signage

Wedding Program

Programs are a thoughtful guide for guests to follow along with your ceremony, especially if you’re including religious, cultural, or symbolic elements that may need explanation. Wedding programs can also highlight your wedding party, family members, readings, musical performances, or key moments of the ceremony. While beautiful and informative, they’re not necessary – particularly for shorter or more straightforward ceremonies.

Custom Cocktail Napkins

A current trend, custom napkins are a fun way to add personality to a cocktail hour or the reception. Couples often use them to share quirky details, fun facts, favorite quotes, or even illustrations of their pets. While charming, they’re more of a playful add-on than a must-have.

Dinner Menus

Dinner menus may depend on your style of service. At a formal plated dinner, they help guests know what’s being served and accommodate dietary needs. At a buffet or food station, simple signs or labels at each dish work just fine. Outside of noting dietary restrictions, individual menus at every place setting aren’t always necessary, but can be a beautiful, additional detail to tie together your stationery and paper goods. 

Memory Table

A memory or tribute table is a meaningful way to honor family, share your story, or display photos and heirlooms that celebrate your love. Guests will appreciate the personal touch, but it’s completely optional and can be as simple or elaborate as you’d like.

Additional Wedding Signage We Love:

While not essential, these creative details can add personality, style, and a touch of fun to your celebration:

Neon Signage – A bold, modern statement that doubles as decor

Couple’s Last Name Display – A celebratory touch that feels personal and photo-ready

“Unplugged Ceremony” Sign – A gentle reminder for guests to stay present during your vows

Custom Wedding Weekend Maps or Guidebooks – Helpful for out-of-town guests exploring the area

Welcome Bag Goodies with Name Tags – A thoughtful way to greet guests arriving for the festivities

Handwritten Letters from the Couple – A heartfelt keepsake that adds an intentional, personal touch

Wedding Newspapers – A playful, creative way to share your story, schedule, or additional photos

Photo Booth Instructions – Encourages guests to jump in and enjoy the experience

DIY or Interactive Table – Perfect for guest crafts, messages, or unique keepsakes

Custom Quotes or Sayings – A stylish way to infuse your theme with personality

The post Wedding Signs You Need (and the Ones That Are Just Nice to Have) appeared first on Burgh Brides - A Pittsburgh Wedding Blog.

If you’re considering booking one of these unexpected wedding vendors, start by asking yourself “why.” Choose experiences that capture your personalities and shared interests. Hire the vendors that embody the atmosphere you want to create. With details that feel authentic to you as a couple, your guests won’t just remember an itinerary packed with activities – they’ll remember how your wedding made them feel.

Find even more unique wedding vendors in our Vendor Guide.  

Live Portrait & Event Artists

Live portrait and sketch artists create quick illustrations of your guests throughout the celebration, giving everyone a one-of-a-kind keepsake to take home. Some live painters will even spend your ceremony and reception creating a larger piece of art, allowing guests to watch the process unfold. We promise, your guests will love posing, talking with the artist, and watching the creativity at work!

Customization Stations

Interactive customization stations allow guests to create something they’ll use long after the wedding. Think: embroidered hats, branded totes, jewelry bars, engraved accessories, or even personalized desserts! These stations become an easy activity for guests throughout the reception while allowing everyone to take home a souvenir. 

Wedding Pet Attendants

Have you ever wondered how couples include their pets in their wedding while still being present for everything else? Wedding pet attendants handle every detail, including meals, potty breaks, and transportation. 

Wedding Nannies

These trained childcare professionals do far more than babysit. They keep children entertained, manage naps and meals, assist during the ceremony, and act as your on-site childcare provider. Equipped to handle any situation, they can make sure your little ones are included in the festivities without missing a moment of care. Read more about what makes hiring a wedding nanny special.  

Wedding Content Creators

Wedding content creators specialize in capturing behind-the-scenes clips, trending social media edits, candid guest reactions, and detail shots. The biggest benefit? You can stay fully present and device-free without feeling the need to document your own wedding through your phone. 

Mobile Beverage Bars

A mobile beverage service adds functionality and personality to your event – particularly for backyard weddings, tented receptions, or DIY-inspired venues without a built-in bar. These vendors serve signature cocktails and mocktails, coffee, espresso, and specialty beverages, while creating an eye-catching, memorable display. 

Private Chef

Increasingly popular for more intimate gatherings, a private chef is an alternative to a traditional catered meal. Guests enjoy an interactive culinary experience where they can watch each course being prepared. It’s a restaurant-quality experience, perfectly suited for microweddings and events with smaller guest counts, like showers and rehearsal dinners.. 

Check out this interactive rehearsal dinner party where guests were provided a visual and sensory experience, capped off with mini-tiered cakes they could decorate themselves. 

Cigar Rollers & Cigar Stations

Guests can watch the process firsthand before enjoying a freshly made cigar. Even those who don’t smoke often may find themselves engaged by the artistry behind the tradition.

Tattoo Artists

Flash tattoo artists create a custom sheet of wedding-inspired designs for your guests to choose from, making each tattoo a permanent reminder of your celebration! It’s interactive, conversation-starting, and a fun way to commemorate your love. 

Professional Entertainers

Couples are incorporating everything from cultural dancers and live performance artists to magicians and specialty music ensembles. These performances are especially meaningful ways to honor your family’s heritage or showcase traditions that are important to your love story. 

Audio Guest Books

Swap a traditional guest book for one you can hear! Audio guest books invite loved ones to leave heartfelt messages, marriage advice, or funny stories on a vintage-style telephone or recording station – all recorded and saved for you to re-listen to for years to come. 

Permanent Jewelry

Perfect for your wedding morning while getting ready with your bridal party, or as a unique reception activity, guests can create a customized piece at this interactive jewelry bar. They select a chain style, personalize it with gems, letters, or initials, and have their clasp-free piece custom welded around their wrist, ankle, or finger by a professional artist. Just like your wedding day, permanent jewelry symbolizes love, commitment, and the promise of “forever.” 

Late-Night Food

From smash burgers to cannoli stations, nothing gets guests excited quite like a surprise food truck or snack vendor. We guarantee there is a niche food vendor that suits your taste.

The post The Surprising Wedding Vendors Couples Are Hiring appeared first on Burgh Brides - A Pittsburgh Wedding Blog.

“All-inclusive resorts are for anybody, no matter your budget or what you envision for your perfect honeymoon,” explains Sharon of Broadhill Travel. This full-service, women-owned, family-run business is led by an aunt-and-niece duo with over 40 years of experience and insider knowledge. And earning recognition as a Preferred Sandals Elite Agency, Broadhill Travel is a trusted resource for honeymoon planning in the Caribbean, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. 

So, why are all-inclusive honeymoon resorts such a popular choice? The answer is simple – they take the stress out of planning. From included meals and dining to entertainment and honeymoon-ready amenities, these resorts offer a seamless experience and romantic escape. We interviewed Sharon (whose services are FREE, BTW) on why all-inclusive resorts are such a popular choice for honeymooners, what couples should know before booking an all-inclusive honeymoon, and why it’s a stress-free way to travel.

Why are all-inclusive honeymoons popular for newlyweds?

With honeymooners, everything is paid upfront, so once you arrive at your destination, you’ll have a carefree experience. You’ll only need extra funds for spa services or added excursions.

All-inclusive means you won’t have to figure out transportation, restaurants, or events, as those details are already handled with your booking. At a Sandals resort, most properties include anywhere from five to twenty restaurants, meaning you have your pick of where you’d like to dine. Wondering what you’ll do after dinner? Entertainment is also included every night, which takes a lot of the stress out of planning additional activities.

When you book with Broadhill Travel, you can opt for a payment plan, making planning even easier by allowing you to pay as you go, or even pay it off while you’re booking other aspects of your wedding. Sandals is fully refundable up to 60 days before your planned date. They also release sales weekly, and I notify clients if prices change, guaranteeing they receive the lower rate.

What’s included in an all-inclusive honeymoon package?

Round-trip travel, including transportation from the airport to the hotel, all meals and beverages on the property (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic), along with non-motorized water sports, nightly entertainment, and all taxes.

For Sandals resorts, an all-inclusive package also includes non-stop transfers, tipping, motorized water sports like snorkeling and scuba diving, as well as a wide selection of restaurants on the property.

What should couples expect when planning their honeymoon at an all-inclusive resort?

Truly, everything is included. Yes, that means the minibar in the hotel room. Some hotels include room service, depending on your booking category, with everything from fine dining to burgers and pizza.

Are all-inclusive honeymoons actually cheaper?

It’s undeniably a good value – even at more expensive resorts – because your booking includes all meals and drinks, along with daily entertainment. If you were planning a trip independently, the cost of meals and activities alone would be additional expenses each day.

All-inclusive honeymoon packages in places like Mexico and the Dominican Republic start at a relatively lower price point and can be a great option for couples who have never traveled internationally. Booking a package at any price point takes the guesswork out of finding quality restaurants and navigating the more complicated aspects of travel, especially in a new country.

What makes this type of honeymoon package so special?

Most hotels offer complimentary honeymoon amenities, like a special bottle of champagne, a welcome fruit tray, or other luxe offerings when you provide your wedding invitation. The entire experience embraces a honeymoon vibe. You can even book your trip up to two years in advance, allowing plenty of time to budget or make payments. By the time your trip arrives, you won’t need to pay for anything else – it’s truly one of the easiest ways to travel.

What’s the ideal client like for an all-inclusive honeymoon package?

An all-inclusive honeymoon package is great for well-traveled couples who appreciate that everything is already taken care of –  they don’t even need to carry cash. It’s also a great option for less experienced travelers who may feel anxious about going out of the country and managing so many plans on their own.

What are the questions couples should ask when booking their all-inclusive honeymoon?

Some of the basics of travel include questions like: how important are food and dining? Do you enjoy the beach, or would you rather be sitting poolside? How important are sightseeing, nightlife, and outdoor activities? And lastly, what is your comfortable price range?

We ask our clients a thorough list of questions to best understand the type of trip they want to have and to match them with the right honeymoon package.

Do you have any other advice for couples who are curious about planning a honeymoon at an all-inclusive resort?

All-inclusive is for anybody, no matter your budget or what you have in mind for your perfect honeymoon.

Your travel agent is also your biggest resource! I’ve visited every Sandals resort and am constantly gathering feedback from clients about their own experiences. This means I can tell you everything from the best sightseeing spots to desserts you won’t want to miss. Plus, we stay actively traveling and keep up-to-date on all travel requirements and restrictions.

We’re also here if problems arise. If a flight is canceled or something unexpected comes up, we’re ready to help in any emergency. If a flight is delayed, we communicate directly with the hotel to ensure transportation is still arranged – at no extra charge for our travel agent services.

The post Are All-Inclusive Honeymoons Worth It? What Couples Should Know appeared first on Burgh Brides - A Pittsburgh Wedding Blog.

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In this guide, you’ll explore the most common table shapes and sizes, how many guests each can comfortably seat, how much space to allow in your layout, and which linens pair best with each style. Choose wisely, style intentionally, and let your tables set the stage for every unforgettable moment of your event.

To make planning easier, the experts at The 1978 Collection have curated this complete wedding table and linen guide. Backed by decades of event experience and a deep passion for thoughtful design, this rental house believes in the beauty of thoughtfully curated moments.

Why Table Size Matters

Guest Comfort

An 8-person table feels different from a 12-person table, both in spacing and conversation flow.

Room Layout

Choosing the right combination of tables will help maximize your space without overcrowding.

Linen Fit

The correct size linen ensures your tables look polished – no awkward overhangs or bare corners or table legs.

Florals & Tabletop

Your table size will dictate the surface area for items such as florals, chargers, extra glassware, or catering items like bread and butter baskets/dishes.

Rectangular Tables: Long & Lovely

Rectangular tables are versatile and work beautifully for long banquet-style dinners, conferences, or modern layouts where clean lines matter. They maximize space and can be placed end-to-end, creating dramatic “feasting tables.”

Conference Table – 4’X18”

Compact and functional, perfect for display tables, food stations, or intimate seating.

• Seats: 2 people
• Space Needed: 9’x6.5’
• Linen Options:
  • Floor Length: 78”x108”
  • Lap Length: can be made custom

Conference Table – 6’X18”

Compact and functional, perfect for display tables, food stations, or intimate seating.

• Seats: 3 people
• Space Needed: 11’x6.5’
• Linen Options:
  • Floor Length: 78”x132”
  • Lap Length: 60”x120”

Conference Table – 8’X18”

Great for presentations, head tables, or conferences where slim lines and efficiency are key.

• Seats: 4 people
• Space Needed: 13’x6.5’
• Linen Options:
  • Floor Length: 78”x156”
  • Lap Length: 60”x120”

Banquet Table – 4’X30”

A smaller option for intimate seating or sweetheart tables, offering flexibility in tighter spaces.

• Seats: 4-6
• Space Needed: 9’x7.5’
• Linen Options:
  • Floor Length: 90”x108”
  • Lap Length: 72” Square

Banquet Table – 6’X30”

One of the most common choices for guest dining, these work well in banquet halls, tents, and ballrooms alike.

• Seats: 6-8
• Space Needed: 11’x7.5’
• Linen Options:
  • Floor Length: 90”x132”
  • Lap Length: can be made custom

Banquet Table – 8’X30”

A wider option that allows for more generous place settings and larger centerpieces, often used in luxury or high-design layouts.

• Seats: 8-10
• Space Needed: 13’x7.5’
• Linen Options:
  • Floor Length: 90”x156”
  • Lap Length: 60”x120”

Queen’s Table – 8’x40”

The Queen’s Table offers a slightly narrower profile than a King’s Table, but still provides more width than a traditional 8’x30” banquet. This size strikes a balance between function and luxury, giving you more room for decor and guest comfort while maintaining an intimate scale.

• Seats: 8-10
• Space Needed: 13’x8.5’
• Linen Options:
  • Floor Length: 108”x156”
  • Lap Length: can be made custom

King’s Table – 8’X48”

The King’s Table is the ultimate statement piece. Wider than a standard banquet table, it allows for lush centerpieces, layered decor, and generous place settings. Perfect for head tables, family-style dining, or dramatic focal points in a ballroom.

• Seats: 10-12
• Space Needed: 13’x8.5’
• Linen Options:
  • Floor Length: 108”x156”
  • Lap Length: 90”x132”

Square Tables: Modern & Unexpected

Square tables are modern and unexpected. They create a sense of intimacy as guests face each other more directly. They’re ideal for smaller weddings or events where conversation matters most.

Square – 54”x54”

Ideal for creating unique floor plans or breaking up rows of rounds with something fresh and contemporary.

• Seats: 6-8
• Space Needed: 9.5’x9.5’
• Linen Options:
  • Floor Length: 114” Square
  • Lap Length: 80” Square

Square – 60”x60”

The 60” square adds drama to a floor plan and comfortably seats guests in a balanced, intimate setting. Its larger surface area allows for creative centerpieces and layered decor.

• Seats: 8
• Space Needed: 10’x10’
• Linen Options:
  • Floor Length: 120” Square
  • Lap Length: 90” Square

Square – 72”x72”

The largest of the square options, the 72” square creates a bold, modern statement. It’s ideal for high-capacity dining in large spaces, or as a striking head table setup. Its generous size allows for expansive floral designs and full place settings without crowding.

• Seats: 10-12
• Space Needed: 11’x11’
• Linen Options:
  • Floor Length: 132” Square
  • Lap Length: can be made custom

Round Tables: The Classic Choice

Round tables are the classic choice for weddings, galas, and events. They encourage easy conversation, create soft visual flow, and are adaptable to most venues.

Round – 30”

Perfect for cocktail hours, sweetheart tables, or cake displays – small but mighty.

• Seats: 2-4
• Space Needed: 7.5’x7.5’
• Linen Options:
  • Floor Length: 90” Round
  • Lap Length: can be made custom

Round – 36”

A slightly larger option for cocktail seating or smaller breakout groups.

• Seats: 4-5
• Space Needed: 8’x8’
• Linen Options:
  • Floor Length: 96” Round
  • Lap Length: can be made custom

Round – 48”

Great for small receptions, showers, or events with tighter guest lists – comfortably intimate.

• Seats: 6-8
• Space Needed: 9’x9’
• Linen Options:
  • Floor Length: 108”
  • Lap Length: can be made custom

Round – 60”

As the most popular wedding table size, it strikes the perfect balance between comfort and space efficiency.

• Seats: 8-10
• Space Needed: 10’x10’
• Linen Options:
  • Floor Length: 120”
  • Lap Length: 90”

Round – 72”

The largest round table available, ideal for grand events or maximizing guest count per table. Best suited for larger spaces.

• Seats: 10-12
• Space Needed: 11’x11’
• Linen Options:
  • Floor Length: 132”
  • Lap Length: 108”

Tips for Table & Linen Selections

1. The “space needed” above accounts for chairs and a narrow aisle. For more comfort, especially at weddings where guests will be seated for long dinners, allow an extra 2 square feet per guest.
2. If you plan to add chargers to your table, use the lower count of seated people to allow for surface space to fit a 13” charger plate at every seat.
3. Mixing round and rectangular tables adds depth and interest to any layout. Round tables are a staple for a soft, balanced look, while rectangles are ideal for drama and add intimacy. Choose either a 60” or 72” in rounds and either an 8’ Banquet, or King/Queen’s Table for rectangles.

From The 1978 Collection

We’re The 1978 Collection – an event rental house built on decades of experience, a love for great design, and a deep belief in the power of well-made moments. What started as three separate companies has grown into one shared vision: to help you bring your ideas to life with ease, style, and a whole lot of heart.

Whether you’re a planner, a venue coordinator, a caterer, or somewhere in between – we’re here to make the process smoother, the details better, and the outcome unforgettable with elevated rentals, design services, and the know-how that’s backed by the kind of experience you only get from being in it – and doing it – for nearly a half a century.

The post Wedding Tables 101: A Guide To Choosing The Right Size from The 1978 Collection appeared first on Burgh Brides - A Pittsburgh Wedding Blog.

From Amanda…

Bustle Types

American (aka Traditional or Over Bustle)

This style picks the train up over the top of the back of the dress, either at the waistline or below it. Where and how many points are determined by the length and width of the train. The mechanisms can be hook and loops or buttons and loops.

Great dress styles for this bustle include A-line, ballgown, mermaid, sheath, and trumpet.

French (aka Under Bustle)

This is the reserve of the American bustle. The train is tucked underneath of the dress below the waistline in different points for the fabric to fold under and out. It is tied together by matching, numbered ribbons.

A-line, ballgown, sheath, mermaid, asymmetrical trains, and dresses with oversized bows all work well with this bustle type.

Double/Triple French (sometimes referred to as a Royal or Victorian Bustle)

The double or triple French bustle is named after the number of layers or folds required to bring the train up off the floor. The number of points on this bustle can be in the double digits. This type of bustle is used for very long trains that cannot be bustled in one single layer.

This bustle works well on A-line, mermaid, sheath, and trumpet style wedding dresses.

Ballroom

With a ballroom bustle, the train is completely tucked underneath the dress, giving the illusion that there is no train. There is no change in the silhouette of the dress and there are many points to bring the fabric to fold underneath of itself. This is usually the most expensive type of bustle because of the amount of points it needs to have to make the dress fall floor length. The mechanism for this style is tied ribbons and loops.

Great dress styles for this bustle include A-line, ballroom, and sheath.

Australian

This newer style is not as common as the above options, but it is starting to gain some popularity. This bustle type is created by gathering the train down the middle and making pleats that are reminiscent to rouching. Think of a French bustle but just down the center many times.

A-lines with a long train, ballgowns, or trains with intricate detailing work well with this type of bustle.

Wristlet

Last but not least, there is the simple wristlet bustle type. It is a loop ribbon at the bottom of the train that hangs over your wrist. Wristlets are an easy go-to if it’s the right kind of dress. Attaching your train to your wrist using a loop can be a very romantic and timeless look for first dance pictures. However, given how your reception will play out and how heavy your dress is, it may not be an effective way to carry on the entire evening. It can be cumbersome trying to keep a drink in your hang and hug guests with something heavy hanging from your wrist. Dresses with long and wide trains are not ideal candidates for this particular bustle since the train will not be entirely picked up off the floor, thus defeating the purpose of the bustle.

Both lightweight sheath and A-line dresses with shorter trains are great fits for this bustle type.

Bustle FAQs

When should I bustle my dress?

Typically, dresses are bustled after the ceremony and before the reception, usually at some point during the cocktail hour. Most definitely, your dress should be be bustled prior to being announced into the reception. Once the party starts, it’s hard to step away.

Should someone learn how to bustle my dress?

Absolutely! I like to make bustles user-friendly for those who don’t work with bustles every day. That being said, one person other than yourself should know how to bustle your dress. I suggest bringing a designated bustler to either your second fitting or your pick-up appointment so that they can learn how to properly bustle your dress. It’s always a good idea to take a video to refer back to later too!

How long does it take to bustle my dress?

Depending on the style of bustle and how many bustle points there are will determine how much time it will take to get everything tied or looped. I typically tell my clients to leave about 15 minutes for bustling the dress.

I’m wearing heels for my ceremony and flats for my reception. Help!

This is very common! Depending on your heel heights, most of the time, the dress can be hemmed and bustled at the same length. When you change into your lower shoe, the hem and bustle will fall at the same length all the way around. Another option is hemming the front of your gown for your ceremony shoes and having your seamstress pin the bustle according to your higher heel. With this option, the front of the dress will sit lower, but the train will at least be picked up a little bit higher so it won’t get stepped on. Either option can be discussed with your seamstress.

The post Wedding Dress Bustles: 6 Types & Some FAQs appeared first on Burgh Brides - A Pittsburgh Wedding Blog.