Gone are the days of generic wedding decorations. Modern couples in the UK are embracing custom-printed signage as an essential part of their big day. From elegant welcome signs to quirky bar menus, personalised boards add a unique touch that turns a standard venue into your venue. In fact, wedding signage now blends style and function, helping couples tell their love story while guiding guests through the event. Whether printed on sturdy Foamex, chic acrylic, or eco-friendly materials, these boards bring themes to life and make every corner of a wedding both useful and Instagram-worthy.
In this post, we’ll explore creative ways to use various printed boards – like Foamex, acrylic, Correx, PVC, display boards and even cardboard cut-outs – across different wedding themes and areas. Let’s dive into the wonderful world of wedding signage!
The welcome sign is often the first thing your guests see, so it’s worth making it special. Many consider it a must-have – a warm “hello” that sets the tone for the day. Creative couples are using printed boards to craft stunning welcome signs that reflect their theme and personality. For instance, an acrylic welcome board printed with elegant calligraphy can offer a contemporary, transparent look, perfect for modern or minimalist themes. Acrylic gives a sleek, glossy finish and vibrant colours with high-resolution UV printing, so your names and wedding date truly pop.
If you prefer a more classic style, foamex boards (a type of PVC foam board) are excellent for bold designs and colour. Foamex has a smooth surface that ensures excellent print quality for detailed artwork – think floral illustrations or a monogram – and it’s sturdy enough to display on an easel at the venue entrance.
Whichever style you choose, a personalised welcome sign not only helps guests know they’re in the right place but also creates a lovely first impression of your celebration.
Once past the welcome sign, guests will be looking for their seats – enter the table plan (seating chart) board. A seating plan sign is essential for most weddings; it’s often one of the first things guests consult, and when done elegantly, it helps set the tone for the celebration. Printed seating charts on boards are both practical and beautiful.
For example, a Foamex table plan board can display the layout of tables or an alphabetical list of guests in clear, stylish fonts. With Foamex printing, even fine calligraphy and intricate designs come out crisp and colourful, matching your wedding stationery or theme perfectly.
Remember that a well-designed seating board not only informs guests where to sit, but it also becomes part of the décor. However, you design it, ensure the text is large enough and contrasted for readability (especially important for evening receptions).
Weddings are full of photo moments, and printed boards can play a big role in creating those picture-perfect memories. One popular idea is a printed photo backdrop – essentially a large display board or banner that serves as a background for photos.
For instance, you could have a step-and-repeat board featuring your names or a monogram and date (like a celebrity red carpet backdrop) for guests to snap selfies in front of. The Board Printing Company even offers step & repeat boards and backdrop printing, meaning you can get a custom design blown up to cover a wall.
A correx or PVC board works well here for a temporary but sizeable backdrop, and Foamex is great if you want something more durable that prints in high resolution. Couples have gotten creative with themes: a backdrop printed to look like a lush floral wall, a starry night sky, or even a scene from a favourite movie for themed weddings.
If you have a smaller space, printed display boards can still add flair – for example, a series of foam board prints on easels showing pictures of the couple growing up or a timeline of the love story.
When it’s time to celebrate, the bar is a hotspot – and a perfect place to add some creative signage. Bar menu boards have become popular as both décor and functional guides. Instead of (or in addition to) individual menu cards, many couples display a big, bold drink menu sign at the bar or on a nearby easel. A printed Foamex or PVC board is ideal for this, as it can stand up to people pointing or even a splash of spilt punch.
For a sleek look, an acrylic bar sign with white or gold lettering looks amazing, especially if you have a stylish bar setup; acrylic signs are durable for indoor or outdoor bars and have that glossy, modern finish.
These signs not only inform your guests of their choices but also allow you to infuse humour and personality into your décor – it’s a chance to show a bit of your character (we’ve seen couples include fun illustrations or little anecdotes next to their signature drinks). So raise a glass to bar signs that are as creative as the cocktails they describe!
If your venue has multiple areas or if parts of the day are spread out (perhaps a ceremony in a chapel and reception in a marquee, or simply lots of nooks at a large estate), directional signs are a lifesaver. These signs guide guests to various locations: “Ceremony this way”, “To the Reception →”, “Restrooms”, “Dance Floor”, “Photobooth”, and so on. Using printed boards for directional signage ensures consistency with your theme and that the signs are easily visible.
Correx boards are a popular choice for directional signs – Correx (corrugated plastic) is very lightweight and cost-effective, perfect for short-term use like a wedding day. You can have them printed with arrows and text in your wedding colours.
Ultimately, good directional signage keeps your guests relaxed and informed, so they’re never lost and can simply enjoy the festivities. It’s all about marrying form and function – a pretty sign that does an important job.
As the night winds down, it’s thoughtful to thank your guests, and a thank-you sign is a charming way to do it. Many couples position a printed thank-you board near the exit or beside the guestbook or the favour table. It might say something like “Thank you for celebrating with us – love, the Newlyweds” or a longer message of gratitude. This small touch leaves guests with a warm feeling as they depart.
If you’re eco-conscious, you could print your thank-you message on an eco board (more on those shortly) so that it’s easy to recycle afterwards. Alternatively, print a smaller thank-you sign that doubles as a prop: for instance, a small board that you two hold in a final photo, which can later be used on thank-you cards sent to guests. Since thank-you signs are often kept as keepsakes, using a high-quality material like Foamex or acrylic ensures it’ll last.
|
Board Type |
Durability |
Cost |
Customisability |
Ideal Use (Location) |
|
Foamex Board (PVC foam) |
High–Rigid and long-lasting; suitable for indoor & outdoor. Weather-resistant and sturdy. |
Moderate – More expensive than Correx, but affordable for long-term use. |
Excellent – Smooth surface yields high-quality, detailed prints; can be cut to shapes. |
Great all-rounder. Perfect for welcome signs, table plans, and any signage that needs a quality finish. Use indoors or outdoors. |
|
Acrylic Sign (Perspex) |
High – Very durable and weatherproof; won’t warp. It can crack if dropped, but is generally robust. |
High – Typically pricier per board due to material quality and printing process. |
Good – Prints in vibrant, glossy colour. Offers a sleek, modern look. Can be laser-cut to custom shapes. |
Stylish signage where a premium look is desired (welcome signs, bar menus). Ideal indoors; also fine outdoors (rainproof). |
|
Correx Board (Corrugated plastic) |
Medium – Lightweight and a bit flexible; suited for short-term or temporary use. Can bend in strong wind, okay with light rain. |
Low – Low-budget-friendly, great for one-day events or multiple small signs. |
Moderate – Direct printing is possible, though the surface has a fluted texture. Usually used in standard shapes (squares, arrows). |
Temporary outdoor signs (directional arrows, parking signs) or any budget signage. Best outdoors for short use, or indoors for casual use. |
|
PVC Board (Solid PVC panel) |
High – Solid plastic boards are tough and weather-resistant (similar longevity to Foamex since Foamex is PVC). Doesn’t swell with moisture. |
Moderate – Similar to Foamex cost; worth it for durability. |
Excellent – Smooth printing surface like Foamex. Can handle detailed graphics and cut to shape. |
Long-term signs or outdoor displays. Great for signage that needs to endure the elements or frequent handling. |
|
Display Foam Board (Foamcore) |
Low/Medium – Foamcore, a paper‑faced foam substrate, is exceptionally lightweight and engineered exclusively for interior applications. Can dent or sag, not water-resistant. |
Low – Inexpensive, good for short-term indoor displays. |
Good – Prints nicely, but best kept rectangular (intricate cuts not advised as edges are paper). Matte finish reduces glare. |
Indoor décor, presentation boards, and photo displays at the reception. Keep indoors (dry conditions). |
|
Cardboard Cut-out (5mm board standee) |
Medium – Meant for novelty use. When made with 5mm Foamex, it’s quite durable; if purely cardboard, less so. Indoor use preferred (rain will damage it). |
Moderate – Cost depends on size; life-size standees cost more due to custom shape cutting. |
High – Printed in full colour; cut to any silhouette you want (couple, celebrity, etc.). Comes with a support strut for standing up. |
Fun photo props or thematic décor. Best indoors or under shelter. Can greet guests (e.g. couple’s cut-out at the entrance) or add whimsy to photo booths. |
Bring your wedding vision to life with personalised printed boards – from welcome signs to photo backdrops. With custom options like Foamex, acrylic, and PVC, your décor can reflect your unique style. For standout pieces and professional results, trust The Board Printing Company. They offer expert advice, fast turnarounds, and UK-wide service. Make your day memorable with signage that’s creative, personal, and keepsake-worthy. Let your love story shine through every printed detail.
A digital and print specialist with over decades of experience ranging from design to production, Nimesh is committed to quality and working with clients to add value to their businesses. His technical knowledge of print machinery operation is matched only by his love of the print industry.
Jun 24 2025