The Best Wedding Welcome Signs

Buying Guide for Wedding Welcome Signs

Why buy a wedding welcome sign?

You may not think of it as the most crucial element of wedding planning or decorations, but a wedding welcome sign serves both an important functional purpose and a decorative one. They’re a great way to “greet” your guests right off the bat and thank them for coming to the wedding since you and your spouse-to-be will be too busy getting ready and taking pictures to welcome everyone personally as they arrive. They help to set the mood for the day and can be used to share any extra information, like the day’s itinerary, with your guests. Wedding signs are also quite decorative, another detail that enhances the look and style of your wedding.

What should you look for in a wedding welcome sign?

• Size: You’ll probably want a decently large wedding welcome sign since it’s meant to catch your guests’ attention and be read by them. Bigger isn’t always better; a wedding welcome sign won’t do you any good if it doesn’t fit in the allotted space. 16×20 inches, 18×24 inches, and 24×36 inches are among the most common sizes, so you can’t go wrong with those options if you’re unsure. Most wedding welcome signs are placed on a stand or a table by the entrance of the ceremony, though there are some tall freestanding models as well. Also, consider how much information you plan to put on the wedding welcome sign. If you want to print the whole day’s itinerary or directions, you’ll probably need a bigger sign than if you’re just planning to put “welcome” and your names.
• Type: There is the classic wooden or poster board sign, of course, but there are plenty of other options. See-through acrylic signs, calligraphy boards, changeable letterboards, tapestries or banners, signs that double as guest books, chalkboards, decals, paintings, portraits or photos, mirrors, and even balloons; the list goes on. Consider what type of sign you and your spouse would prefer or will best suit your wedding theme and if you’d ever want to re-purpose the sign for another event.
• Design: Several factors play into the design of a sign, such as the shape, thickness, decorative accents, writing style, and if the overall look matches the aesthetic of your wedding day.

What’s the best material for a wedding welcome sign?

This will depend somewhat on your theme and decorations; a rustic, farmhouse-style sign may look out of place at a destination beach wedding. Acrylic, wood, paper, canvas, and fabric are the most common material choices for wedding signs.

Acrylic is a popular choice since it’s versatile and can be matched to any wedding style, but it’s not the most eco-friendly or budget-conscious choice. Wood is durable, fairly inexpensive, and can be stained or painted in almost any color you want if you don’t mind the extra work. Paper and canvas are ideal if you want graphics or prints on your sign, though they will require a bit of graphic design knowledge or cost a bit more money to get done professionally. Fabric is great for a classic, elegant look, but it may not be as durable for outdoor weddings.

Our Picks for the Best Wedding Welcome Signs

Pros: Made of felt with a lovely rustic wooden frame, this is a convenient, reusable wedding welcome sign. There is no need to worry about spelling errors or misprints; you can rearrange the letters and change the message anytime you wish without paying more money to re-print the entire sign over a tiny mistake. Over 400 pre-cut letters, numbers, characters, and symbols come included with the sign that comes in two different color options and a mounting board that matches the wooden frame.

Cons: At 10×10 inches in size, this wedding welcome sign is definitely on the smaller side. A slightly larger size is available (12×16 inches), but both are smaller than average.

Bottom Line: A cute little letterboard option like this model is a good bet if you want to get a good bang for your buck out of your wedding welcome sign. You can reuse it later for other events; it can be taken down and repurposed for use at the bar or card table at the reception if you so choose.

 

Pros: Though wedding welcome signs traditionally only feature text to guide your guests to the ceremony and reception, there’s no reason you can’t go for an even more personalized option. And this sign allows you to do just that by putting an image of the couple’s choice on the sign in lieu of a plainer or more generic background. You can use one of your engagement photos, a picture of the two of you with your pet(s), an image of the two of you on vacation together; the possibilities are endless. Available in your choice of paper, acrylic, or PVC and in four possible sizes, this wedding welcome sign is a piece of cake to customize to your preferences. No matter which material you pick, you’ll receive a high-quality sign with vibrant colors and crisp imaging (especially if you choose an appropriately high-resolution photo). The PVC option, in particular, is notable for its sturdiness and thickness, making it an excellent option for outdoor ceremonies and receptions.

Cons: This is not the most budget-friendly option for a wedding welcome sign, as it’s a bit on the expensive side due to its heavily customized nature. Also note that the easel/stand doesn’t come included with your purchase, so you’ll have to spend more money buying one for it to rest on.

Bottom Line: Your wedding day is all about you and your future spouse, so why not have your wedding welcome sign feature a picture that reflects this? Whether you want an image of the two of you together, your shared pet, or a place that’s meaningful to your relationship, your personalized sign will look great on your big day.

 

Pros: This vinyl sticker-style wedding welcome sign offers excellent customization options. Not only do you get to write your custom message and pick your font and font size, but there are 10 possible sizes to choose from. Whether you want a big or small wedding welcome sign, you should be able to pick an option that fits what you have in mind. There are also vertical, not just horizontal, decals in multiple sizes if you want a tall, narrow sign instead of the typical landscape model. And not only is the decal quick and easy to apply to your desired surface, but it’s waterproof and heat-resistant, ideal for outdoor weddings, especially in areas with less predictable weather patterns.

Cons: Note that this purchase includes the vinyl lettering portion of the sign only—no mirror or posterboard or another base for the sign’s physical part—you’ll have to supply that and the stand yourself.

Bottom Line: A vinyl decal wedding sign like this one is an excellent option for those who aren’t sure what type of sign they plan to use or want to utilize a more unusual material or base sign at their ceremony. You’ll have to provide your base, but if you pick an even, dry surface, this decal will stick to any surface or material.

 

Pros: If you’re having trouble finding a wedding welcome sign that fits your theme or have slightly unusual wedding decorations, you can’t go wrong with this acrylic sign. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a wedding theme this sign doesn’t suit, especially since it’s available in 12 different font and design styles. And it’s durable enough for outdoor as well as indoor use. The acrylic is thick and sturdy, not easy to bend or crack, UV-resistant, and waterproof, able to hold up well under various elements. The material is also smudge-proof, and the lettering is fade-resistant, so this sign will look great no matter how far ahead of time you set it up.

Cons: This is a pricier option, especially since no stand, easel, or frame comes with your purchase, so you’ll have to buy your own separately. There aren’t any alternate font colors or sizes to choose from.

Bottom Line: Acrylic wedding welcome signs are a popular choice due to their versatility and durability, and this particular model is an excellent, high-quality acrylic option. Whether you display it as is, frame it, or decorate it with garlands, flowers, ribbons, or greenery, this wedding welcome sign will effortlessly suit the rest of your wedding decor and make a lovely keepsake for after the fact.

 

Pros: If you’re planning a rustic-themed wedding, you can’t go wrong with this poster-esque wedding welcome sign. The lovely wooden plank design printed with ball lights and wildflower-like foliage will look lovely with any rustic, vintage wedding decorations, especially given the bright, vibrant colors of the sign and its attractive matte finish that won’t appear too shiny or glossy. If you want something a little different, there is a plethora of alternate styles from which you can choose instead, with a range of other designs and colors.

Cons: It may require some flattening out before displaying. Keep in mind that 12×18 inches is your only size option, and you’ll have to supply your own easel or stand and/or frame.

Bottom Line: This wedding welcome sign will fit in flawlessly with other rustic and vintage wedding decorations. Even better, you get a sign in a popular wedding design option without the higher price tag that tends to accompany trends.

Final Thoughts

Though called “welcome signs” they can be an extremely useful and elegant way of not only welcoming wedding guests but imparting other important information. No one wants any mixups or confusion on their wedding day, and a decorative and functional wedding welcome sign can help to prevent guests from getting lost or wandering into the wrong ceremony. Check out these convenient options to add to your wedding day decor.