Few landscapes are as instantly romantic as the lavender fields of Provence in early July: straight purple rows running towards the horizon, bees humming and the whole valley smelling of summer. This place card brings that feeling to every seat. On the back, rows of purple and green converge towards a distant point exactly like a lavender field photographed from its edge. On the front, a little bunch of lavender tied with twine sits beside the guest’s name, written in a graceful purple script.
A Lavender Field on the Back, a Bouquet on the Front
The card is 3.5 x 4 inches flat and folds into a 3.5 x 2 inch tent. The front is a soft cream with a hint of lilac. On the left, five lavender stems fan out slightly, gathered with a band of kraft-coloured twine. The name, Chloé Martin, is set in Tangerine, an elegant condensed calligraphic script, in a deep lavender purple, aligned to the left beside the bunch. A short lavender rule sits below it, followed by Table Six · Valensole in green capitals. Valensole is the Provençal plateau most famous for its lavender. The back panel is pale lilac with alternating bands of lavender, lilac and green that radiate from the fold, like the rows of a field seen in perspective, with the logo resting on a cream strip near the fold. Small lavender marks at each side edge show where to fold.
Bringing Provence to Your Wedding
Lavender suits more than French weddings. It works beautifully for summer garden weddings, rustic farm receptions, vineyard celebrations, bridal showers with a French theme, and anniversary lunches. Lavender’s colour pairs well with sage, cream, soft grey, and warm wood, and it is one of the most affordable flowers for table décor because dried bunches last for months. Many couples choose lavender for its calming scent, its symbolism of devotion and its connection to summers spent travelling.
Table Names From the South of France
The sample table is named after Valensole. Other Provençal and French place names make charming table names: Sault, Gordes, Roussillon, Aix, Arles, Avignon, Cassis, Saint-Rémy, Bonnieux, Grasse and Lourmarin. If you visited France together, name tables after the towns from your trip and tell the story on a small sign by the seating chart. Guests enjoy finding their village.
Editing Each Name
Select the purple name and type your guest’s name; accented characters such as é, è, ç, and ô display correctly in Tangerine. Change the table line, then download the card and move to the next guest. Tangerine is a tall, narrow script, so long names fit well, but it is also delicate; if your reception will be lit only by candles, make the name a little larger or use a slightly darker purple.
Tangerine Script: Why It Was Chosen
Tangerine is inspired by italic chancery handwriting, with long ascenders and a light, upright slant that feels French and refined. Its narrow letters suit names set beside an illustration because they take less width than rounder scripts. The bold weight used here keeps hairline strokes from disappearing when printed small. If you prefer a softer look, Parisienne or Great Vibes are good alternatives from the font list.
Lavender, Mauve or Plum: Other Field Colours
| Variation | Name colour | Back stripes | Best season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic Provence (as designed) | Deep lavender | Lavender, lilac, green | Early summer |
| Dusty mauve | Mauve | Mauve, blush, sage | Spring |
| Midnight lavender | Plum | Plum, violet, olive | Late summer evenings |
| Soft grey | Charcoal | Grey, lilac, sage | Year-round |
The field on the back is a single group of stripes. Ungroup it to recolour stripes, then regroup it so it stays aligned.
Real Lavender at Each Place
Dried lavender bundles make inexpensive, fragrant favours. Tie four or five stems with twine, lay a bundle across each napkin and stand the card behind it, mirroring the printed bunch. Small muslin sachets filled with dried buds are another favourite; guests tuck them into drawers at home for months. If any guests have allergies, ask before using real lavender at their place.
Choosing Paper for Purple
Purples are among the trickiest colours to print, often shifting towards blue on inkjet printers. Print a single test card before the full set. If the lavender looks too blue, select the name and the stripes and choose a warmer, pinker lavender. Smooth, bright white or soft white cardstock of around 100 lb cover gives the cleanest colour; textured paper dulls the fine script strokes.
Trimming and Folding Tips
Trim the card to 3.5 x 4 inches. Score across the middle, where the cream front meets the striped back, using the small lavender marks at each edge as guides. Fold with the cream side out. When the card stands, the field on the back faces across the table, and the rows appear to rise from the table into the distance.
Setting a Provençal Table
Linen tablecloths in natural or white, simple stoneware plates, clear tumblers for wine, terracotta pots of fresh lavender and bowls of apricots or cherries make a relaxed French country table. Long tables seating everyone family-style suit the theme especially well, and the cards placed above each plate create a gentle purple rhythm down the table.
For Other Occasions
Use the card for a French-themed bridal shower, a Bastille Day dinner, a summer garden birthday, a book club dinner after reading a novel set in Provence, or an anniversary celebration for a couple who honeymooned in France. Replace the table line with Bon appétit or the occasion.
A Little Lavender Lore
Lavender has been prized since Roman times, when it scented bathwater and linen; its name is often traced to the Latin lavare, to wash. In Victorian flower language, it stood for devotion, which is why it appears in so many bridal bouquets. In Provence, harvest begins in July and fields are often cut by mid-August, so couples planning a honeymoon to see the fields should travel in late June or early July.
Lavender Card Questions
Can I move the lavender bunch to the right?
Yes. Drag the bunch group to the right and change the name to right-aligned text.
Does the field on the back print upside down?
The stripes radiate from the fold, so they look the same from either direction.
How big is the folded card?
3.5 inches wide and 2 inches tall.
