Quick Answer
For most weddings, an acrylic welcome sign should be 24″ × 36″ on a floor easel, placed at the entrance to your ceremony or reception. Use clear or frosted acrylic for modern venues; white or black acrylic for higher contrast. Stick to two fonts max, and order at least 4–6 weeks before the wedding date.
The welcome sign is the first thing guests see — it sets the tone for everything that follows. Acrylic has become the dominant material for modern wedding welcome signs because it photographs well, reads cleanly from a distance, and survives outdoor conditions. This guide covers the four decisions that determine whether your acrylic welcome sign feels intentional or off.
How big should an acrylic wedding welcome sign be?
The single most common size — and the one we recommend by default — is 24″ × 36″. It's the right scale for floor easel display at the entrance of most venues, readable from across a room, and proportional to standard ceremony backdrops.
Other sizing guidance:
- 18″ × 24″ — for tabletop displays or smaller, intimate venues (under 75 guests). Sits well on a console or pedestal.
- 24″ × 36″ — the default. Works for almost every venue type and guest count.
- 30″ × 40″ — for grand entrances, outdoor weddings, or venues with high ceilings (church, ballroom, barn). Stands up to the scale of the space.
- 36″ × 48″ — oversized statement piece. Use only if your guest count is 200+ or your entrance area is very large.
Is 18x24 too small for a welcome sign?
Not necessarily — it depends on placement. 18″ × 24″ works beautifully on a tabletop or pedestal at the entrance, where it's at eye level and guests stand close. It's too small for a floor easel display at a wide-open entrance — guests need to stand 8–10 feet away to read it, and it gets visually swallowed by the surrounding space. Default to 24″ × 36″ if it's going on a floor easel.
Do I need an easel for my wedding welcome sign?
Yes, if it's larger than 18″ × 24″ or being displayed near the entrance. The easel is what gets the sign at eye level and makes it functional. Three options:
- Wooden A-frame easel — warmest, works with both modern and rustic aesthetics. Most photographable. ~$40–80.
- Gold or black metal floor easel — sleek and modern, doesn't compete visually with the sign. ~$30–60.
- Vintage chair or ladder — makes the sign feel styled and intentional. Lean the sign against the back of the chair or hang it from a ladder rung.
Most venues have easels you can borrow — ask before ordering one yourself.
What thickness of acrylic is best for a welcome sign?
1/4″ (6mm) thick for sizes up to 24″ × 36″. 3/8″ or 1/2″ (10–13mm) for anything 30″ × 40″ or larger. Thinner acrylic (1/8″) flexes under its own weight at large sizes and looks cheap; thicker acrylic feels substantial and stays rigid on the easel. Made & True ships 1/4″ minimum on all welcome signs.
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Every welcome sign is fully customizable — names, dates, fonts, colors. Order with confidence: digital proof included before production.
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Where should I place my wedding welcome sign?
The single rule: place it where guests see it FIRST. That usually means:
- Just outside the ceremony entrance (most common)
- At the doorway between the ceremony and reception spaces
- At the entrance to the reception if the ceremony is offsite
- At the welcome bag / check-in table for destination weddings
Avoid: the cocktail hour bar, the dance floor, the bathroom hallway. The sign loses meaning if guests are already in the wedding flow.
Can acrylic wedding signs be transparent?
Yes — clear acrylic is the most popular choice for modern weddings. The "floating text" effect (printed/etched text against the venue backdrop visible through the panel) is striking, especially in venues with dramatic ceremony arches, florals, or natural backdrops. The trade-off: clear acrylic reads less clearly in low light. If your reception is candlelit, consider frosted or white acrylic instead.
What should my wedding welcome sign say?
Keep it simple. The proven formula:
- Welcome line ("Welcome to our wedding" / "We've waited for this day")
- Both names in your largest font
- The date
- Optional: venue name, a short quote, or a line of personal language
Resist the urge to put logistics on the welcome sign — guests aren't reading at speed. Save details (timeline, directions, hashtag) for separate signs near where they're needed.
Does my welcome sign need to match my invitations?
Strongly recommended. The invitation sets your wedding's design language; the welcome sign is the first time guests see that language in person. Match the typography, color palette, and any decorative motifs (monogram, florals, line art) across both. Made & True can pull from your invitation suite — upload a copy at checkout and we'll coordinate.
Frequently asked questions
How big should an acrylic wedding welcome sign be?
24x36 inches is the most popular and default size for floor easel displays at most venues. Use 18x24 for tabletop displays or smaller venues, and 30x40 for grand entrances or outdoor weddings.
Is 18x24 too small for a welcome sign?
It depends on placement. 18x24 works beautifully on a tabletop or pedestal at the entrance where guests stand close. It's too small for a floor easel at a wide-open entrance — default to 24x36 in that case.
Do I need an easel for my wedding welcome sign?
Yes, for any sign larger than 18x24 or being displayed at an entrance. Wooden A-frame easels work best for most aesthetics; gold or black metal easels suit modern weddings; vintage chairs or ladders create styled photo moments. Many venues have easels you can borrow.
What thickness of acrylic is best for a welcome sign?
1/4-inch (6mm) thick for sizes up to 24x36. 3/8-inch or 1/2-inch (10-13mm) for sizes 30x40 and larger. Thinner acrylic (1/8-inch) flexes at large sizes and looks cheap.
Where should I place my wedding welcome sign?
Place it where guests see it first — usually just outside the ceremony entrance, at the doorway between ceremony and reception, or at the welcome bag table for destination weddings. Avoid the bar, dance floor, or bathroom hallway.
Can acrylic wedding signs be transparent?
Yes. Clear acrylic is the most popular choice for modern weddings — the "floating text" effect against the venue backdrop is striking. Trade-off: clear acrylic reads less clearly in low light, so consider frosted or white acrylic for candlelit receptions.
What should my wedding welcome sign say?
Keep it simple: a welcome line, both names in the largest font, the date, and optionally the venue name or a short quote. Skip logistics like the timeline or hashtag — those belong on separate signs.
Does my welcome sign need to match my invitations?
Strongly recommended. The invitation sets your wedding's design language; the welcome sign reinforces it in person. Match typography, colors, and decorative motifs across both for visual cohesion.
