Personalised Wedding Signs, Types, Materials and Lead Times

Personalised wedding signs are made-to-order boards, panels and mirrors carrying your names, date, seating or messages, usually in acrylic or wood. Independent makers cut, engrave or letter them to match your colours and venue. Most couples order four to eight weeks ahead, and the signs can be kept as keepsakes or sold on afterwards.

Types of custom wedding signs UK couples order

• Welcome sign: a wedding welcome sign greets guests at the entrance, usually with your names and date.
• Table plan: a wedding table plan shows who sits where, on one large board or several smaller ones.
• Table numbers and names: small signs or stands for each table.
• Place names: one small piece per guest, often doubling as a favour.
• Bar menu or drinks signs: the signature cocktails or a "cash bar" notice.
• Mr and Mrs sign: a Mr and Mrs sign suits the top table or sweetheart table, and often shows up in photos afterwards.
• "Unplugged ceremony" sign: a polite request for guests to keep phones away while the photographer works.
• Directional signs: arrows pointing to the ceremony, drinks or toilets.

Materials makers use

Acrylic with vinyl lettering

Clear, frosted or coloured acrylic panels with lettering applied in vinyl are a popular, modern look. Vinyl comes in many colours, including gold, silver and white. Our guide to what a Cricut machine does shows how vinyl lettering is cut.

Laser-engraved wood

Engraving marks the lettering into the wood for a natural, rustic finish. Makers also laser cut shapes, arches and borders from plywood or thin hardwood.

Painted or CNC-routed wood

For thicker, chunkier boards, makers use a CNC router to carve lettering and shapes, then paint or stain the finished sign. This suits large welcome signs and outdoor venues. You can read about it on the CNC and woodwork page.

Mirrors with vinyl

Vinyl lettering on a mirror makes a classic table plan or welcome sign. Ask the maker about the glass or acrylic mirror used and how it will be packed.

Sizes, stands and easels

Think about where the sign will be seen. A welcome sign is often around A2 or A1 so guests can read it from a distance, while table numbers and place names are much smaller. Check these before you order:

• The size of the easel or stand, and whether the maker supplies it
• Whether the sign will stand indoors, outdoors or both
• How it will travel to the venue
• Whether your venue has rules about what you can hang or fix

If you are unsure, send the venue contact's measurements or a photo of the space.

Proofs and spelling checks

Guest names are where mistakes creep in. Make a final list, check each spelling against the invitation or RSVP, and send it to the maker in one go. Ask for a digital proof showing the layout, font and colours, and read it aloud with someone else before approving.

Once a maker has cut or engraved a sign, changes can mean starting again, so approve the proof only when everything looks right. Late additions to a table plan are easier to manage if you ask about a small label or sticker for last-minute changes.

If you want a theme that includes a brand, film character or football club, makers need permission to reproduce someone else's artwork, so ask for an original design or supply your own.

Lead times

Allow four to eight weeks for most orders, and more if you are marrying in peak season (late spring to early autumn) or ordering several signs. Table plans with many names take longer to draw and proof. Give the maker your wedding date and a "needed by" date earlier than the wedding, so there is time for delivery and any fixes. Hire a Maker lets you add that date to your request.

Rough prices

Makers set their own prices, and wedding signs vary widely. As a rough guide:

• Table numbers and small signs often cost a few pounds each
• Place names often cost around £1 to £4 each
• A welcome sign often runs from around £30 to £100
• Large table plans often run from around £50 to £150 or more

What drives the price:

• Size and thickness of the board
• Material (mirror and thick hardwood cost more than thin plywood)
• Number of names, since a long guest list adds design and cutting time
• Design work and proofing rounds
• Stands, delivery and packaging

Reusing or selling on afterwards

Wedding signs often get a second life. Many couples hang the welcome sign at home, keep the Mr and Mrs sign in a memory box or pass table numbers to friends. Others sell their signs on afterwards through local groups or online marketplaces. If resale matters to you, ask the maker about plain designs or text that is easy to remove or replace.

Questions people ask

Can I order just one sign?

Yes. Many makers are happy to make a single welcome sign or table plan, so you do not have to order a full set.

Can makers match my wedding colours?

Often, yes. Send a photo of your colour palette, ribbon or invitation, and ask the maker what is possible in their materials.

Can signs be used outdoors?

Some can. Acrylic and sealed or painted wood cope better with weather than raw wood, but it depends on the maker's materials, so ask.

Should I choose acrylic or wood?

Pick the look that fits your venue and style. Acrylic looks sleek and modern, while wood looks warm and rustic. Many couples mix the two.

Ready to start? Post a free request with your date, sign list and photos of your venue or colours. You can also find a maker by craft and location, and message them directly from their profile.