Place Card Holder Ideas Using Natural Elements

Whether you’re hosting an intimate wedding reception, a small indoor gathering, or an outdoor barbecue on picnic tables, place setting name cards can elevate any occasion. Just the gesture of creating them signals thoughtfulness, and small details like these make all the difference. These gentle guides streamline the seating process, make guests feel special, as well as offer a personalized keepsake to take home. Name cards can also weave into the occasion’s design, location or theme – the icing on the cake, so to speak. So once you’ve crafted the perfect food and wine menu for your event, layer in the elegant and detailed touches. And the best news? They don’t have to break the bank. In wine country, we believe that natural elements can be the perfect ingredients to create an elegant and eco-friendly table arrangement. Read on while we offer up several place card holder ideas, keeping sustainability in mind.

Place Card Holder Ideas Using Natural Elements

Succulents and Air Plants

I love using succulents in center arrangements and living wreaths but they also double as fun place card holders. Tiny echeveria have the ideal structure that can handily hold a name card within its fleshy arms. To really make a statement, plant the succulent in a small pot that people can take home with them (include care instructions) and not have to worry about planting it. Air plants are even easier to care for and very popular right now because they’re so low maintenance. And their leaves provide an equally viable card support.

Fallen Branches or Tree Bark

Gather innumerable place card holder ideas with a quick stroll through a wooded area. Potential décor is everywhere around you. And it’s eco-friendly. Forage a fallen tree bark and write your guests’ names with vivid and contrasting ink. Or find a fallen branch, cut it into equal sections, create a slit into the wood, and then slide the name tag in. Let your creativity guide you as you can add a touch of seasonal elements like a spray painted eucalyptus jingle bell pod as seen in my Christmas table setting ideas blog. Such a unique and elegant place setting that can be dressed up for any season.

Magnolia Leaf

Bring the outdoors into any event. With their dark green color and large size, magnolia leaves with names written on them in white, gold or silver ink fit perfectly at a table setting. If magnolia leaves aren’t available in your area, most any type of leaf will work so choose the size and color that suits your theme. I love them placed on a white or taupe linen napkin. So pretty and easily executed.

Rosemary Wreath

Mini rosemary wreaths dress up a modern table setting or make a gorgeous wedding place card. The accent greenery can be changed with seasonal elements. Try adding tiny flower blossoms during spring and summer. Here is my step-by-step video for how to make mini rosemary wreath place settings.

Wine Corks

At Jordan Winery, we always have a few corks laying around. It’s super easy to turn meaningful wine corks into special place card settings by writing your guests’ names on the cork. If there’s wine on your table, this is definitely the right place card holder idea. Or use them to label menu items on a table full of delicious, seasonal dishes. We use cork place cards at our wine dinners and our guests love to take them home as a memorable keepsake from the event. Add a fragrant rosemary stem or bay leaf from your garden to make the natural cork pop on your table setting. The ideas are endless, as is your supply of corks, right?

The key is get creative and have fun by introducing natural elements to your occasion. Be sure to check out my other, fall-themed place card holder ideas here.