This thread got me thinking, and this might be similar to what you are talking about (btw, I would love to hear about your centerpiece ideas). So, our theme is "old world fairytale" and I have seen these beautifully illustrated books of classic fairytales.
So, thinking out loud here ... we could have the tables named after fairytales and have a book on display on each table somehow to indicate which table it is. Also, I think on the place cards instead of outright saying "Cinderella Table" there would be a clue, a pretty obvious one like mention a glass slipper, from that tale that would direct people to the correct table. Not sure how the books on the tables would work with our centerpieces, but its the start of an idea ...