Beach Seashell Placecard Holders (Set of 12)*

• Beach and surfside weddings one shell per seat, holding a name card, on sand-coloured linen that needs nothing else.
• Destination and island receptions a set of 12 per table, packed flat and carried to a venue you will only see the week before.
• Nautical themed dinners real shells rather than printed anchors, for a table meant to look coastal instead of costume.
• Rehearsal dinners by the water seating the wedding party the night before, with cards you print at home that morning.
• Bridal showers a shell at each place holding a name, and the same shells reused as favors at the end.
• Nautical baby showers 12 shells holding table cards, a shape that suits a nursery theme already full of waves.
• Engagement parties in summer an outdoor table that needs a little weight on each card when the breeze picks up.
• Anniversary dinners a small table set the way the original beach wedding was, shells and all.
• Birthdays and tropical parties luau and island tables where each guest finds a shell rather than a folded tent card.
• Corporate events with a coastal theme seat assignments for a banquet or an awards dinner, with cards printed on your own stationery.

Care and use

• The shells are all natural, so size and shape may vary across a set and no two place settings will match exactly.
• Each shell measures between 1.5" and 3"; one customer found hers larger than she expected and described them as strong and beautiful.
• The shells hold a card that you create, so print or write your cards before the event rather than at the venue.
• They are reusable after the wedding and hold small photographs or recipe cards just as well as place cards.

1. Count your seats and order sets of 12; a 96-guest reception needs eight sets, and it is worth adding one set for breakages and last-minute additions.
2. Add the matching shell and starfish place cards in sets of 12 if you want a card designed for the theme, or print your own.
3. Write or print each guest's name on the card, slide it into the shell, and HansonEllis ships the shells insured by UPS, FedEx or USPS with tracking emailed to you.

• Guest names for the seating plan, one shell per place setting, with table numbers on the reverse of each card.
• Table numbers themselves: one larger shell per table holding a printed number instead of a stand.
• Menu cards at a plated dinner, with the shell holding the course list rather than a name.
• Photo holders after the wedding, gripping a small print on a shelf or a desk instead of a card.
• Buffet and bar labels for a beach reception, naming the dishes and the signature drinks.

For a coastal table the question is usually whether the shell should hold a card, carry your names, or dress the napkin.

For a surfside wedding, the shell holders seat the room and the printed turban shells send it home; many couples use both on the same table.

For a wedding or a large party, work from the seating chart: the shells come in sets of 12, so divide your guest count by twelve, round up, and add a spare set for breakages and late additions. There is no minimum, so a small rehearsal dinner can order one set. Matching shell and starfish place cards are available in sets of 12 if you would rather not print your own. Because the shells are natural, size and shape vary across a set, which reads as charm on a beach table but is worth knowing if you are photographing a symmetrical head table. Standard production runs 5–10 business days, rush 3–5 and expedite 1–3, plus 2–5 days US shipping; international orders are by request and cannot be rushed, so order 3–6 months ahead for a wedding. For bulk pricing, please contact [email protected].

See more in Reception + Ceremony.

Updated September 2026 by the HansonEllis personalization team.