Planning the “extra” Table(s)?

We're spreading it out a bit. Finding your seat will take a bit of time, as well as signing the guestbook. We are doing the seating chart outside the hall so that people can look for their seat before the hall opens. We are having the gift table just inside the door to the hall, and a table for the guestbook on the other side.

We are having a card/gifts table and then we are having a table where we will have the guest book and our escort cards We will do the guest book/escort card table right near the entrance and our cards/gift table will be in the reception hall

I would have the seating chart separately but you can totally keep your card box and guest book on the same table.

I would spread these out. If someone is trying to sign the guest book it could block others who are trying to deposit their cards, and others who are trying to find their name on the seating chart. Does your reception hall have room for two or three tables? Or could you do one table with cards on one side and the guest book on the other, and put the seating chart on an easel a few feet away?

From what I can recall from the weddings I've been to, they usually have it set up on one or two tables. That's probably what I'll be doing.

I put everything on one table/area.

I had our guest book, which was a map for everyone to sign, our card box (which was an old suitcase) and an engagement picture of us on the table and placed our seating chart right beside the table on an easel (super cheap at Michaels)!

I found the flow really nice as we stood right in front of it for our receiving line, so the guests entered saw us and said hello, then immediately went to the guest book, card box and seating chart. Super convenient and wasn't hard to miss!

The card box and guest book are typically on the same table, but I wouldn't recommend putting the seating chart there too.

Generally, you look at the seating chart upon entering the room, but it is better to put the card box away from the entrance to avoid people being able to grab enveloppes - or the whole box - and discreetly leave with them (also, have a trusted person keep an eye on it during the evening).