Signage is one of the smallest investments in a wedding decor plan, and one of the most photographed. Your welcome sign is often the very first thing guests see as they arrive at a London wedding, and it sets the tone for everything that follows. Here's how to think through your options.
Welcome Signs: First Impressions Done Right
A welcome sign typically sits at your entrance or registration table, and usually includes your names, the date, and a short welcoming message. It's a simple element, but it's also one of the most-photographed pieces of the entire day, since almost every guest walks past it on arrival.
A good welcome sign should: - Be legible from a reasonable distance, not just up close - Match the colour palette and finish of your wider decor - Include your names and date clearly, without overcrowding the design with too much text
Sailboards: A Versatile Signage Format
A sailboard is a freestanding, easel-style sign, popular for its clean, elegant look and its flexibility — the same format works for welcome messages, table plans, order-of-day timelines, or directional signage guiding guests between spaces. Because they're custom-written, sailboards can be tailored to say exactly what you need, rather than being limited to a fixed template.
Personalisation Ideas Worth Considering
- Names and date, obviously — but consider whether you want a formal font or something with more personality
- A short quote or line meaningful to you as a couple, rather than a generic phrase
- Directional signage if your venue has multiple spaces (ceremony area, reception hall, photo area) — small but genuinely useful for your guests
- A table plan sign, styled to match your welcome sign, rather than a plain printed list
Matching Signage to Your Overall Design
Signage is easy to treat as an afterthought, ordered separately once the "big" decisions — stage, backdrop, tables — are locked in. But mismatched signage can be surprisingly noticeable, especially since it's often the first and last thing guests interact with. Where possible, have your signage designed alongside your stage and table styling, so the fonts, colours and finish feel like part of one consistent design rather than a late addition.
Practical Considerations
Think about where each sign will actually stand — is there a table or easel space at your venue's entrance? Is there enough light for it to be legible in photos? For outdoor or marquee weddings in particular, check whether your venue allows freestanding signage, and whether weather could be a factor.
Getting Signage That Fits Your Day
Tell us your colour palette, your venue layout, and what messages you actually need — welcome, table plan, directions, or all three — and we'll design signage that matches the rest of your decor rather than standing apart from it.