This way please...

You all know we're doing a bit of a rustic vibe for our wedding, what with the bbq and the hand-embroidered table names and all.  And then there is a little pinch of nautical thrown in with our tables being named after parts of a boat.

I was kind of torn on which direction to go for letting our guests know at which table they would each be seated.   Going the "rustic" direction conjured up ideas like windowpanes:

Image via Beyond White on Etsy

Or chalkboards:

Image via Elizabeth Anne Designs / Photo by Leigh Miller Photography

Or tags clipped to twine or chicken wire?

Image via ShabbyNChic on Etsy

All very pretty...but then going the nautical route gave me thoughts of boats:

Image via Alden Blair Events / Photo by Brett Alison Photography

And more boats:

Image via The Knot / Photo by Dru Nadler Photography

Or maybe anchors?

Image via Whispering Pines

After some consultation with my mom, and a few different ideas, I have decided to use...

Compasses!

Image from Hello Love Blog / Calligraphy by Laura Hooper

We won't be going super fancy like the compasses above that feature Laura Hooper's calligraphy (aren't they beautiful?), but instead will be tying kraft paper tags to each compass, with the guest's name and table number handwritten on the tag.

How's that for a nautical + rustic combo?! (More posts on the further development of rustic-nautical-chic on their way!)  Plus, they double as a cute keepsake from the day for each guest.  I hadn't planned on doing favors, but I think these will work nicely.

What did you decide to use for your escort cards?  Did you go with an object?  Traditional escort cards?  Or a big list written on something cool like a door or window?