So, FI and I would love to get married in a theatre. We both have backgrounds and active interest in acting and tech, and we just think it's a meaningful, appropriate venue. We're particularly interested in the ACT theatres in Seattle (if anyone knows what I'm talking about). The Allen Theatre is a gorgeous, totally breathtaking theatre in the round (seats on all sides, with the stage sunken like an ampitheatre). I really do love it. If we rent it, the entryway is a perfect, beautiful place for cocktail hour, and the whole building is architectually stunning, great for pics etc. I love the idea of the ceremony on the stage... there are so many things I like about it. And FI is in LOVE with it, IDK if I could sell him on something else, even if I wanted to.
Here are my issues: they have tables that go over every other row of seats, so those would have to be set up beforehand, and people would literally be sitting at tables for the ceremony. For some reason I don't like the feel of that. And once they sat down for dinner, they'd really be pretty stuck in their respective rows until people were done. I've always liked the round-table feel of more traditional receptions, and I'm concerned that rows would really suck the social vibe and life out of the party. I don't think this is as big a deal for FI as me, but it's really grinding my gears trying to imagine how that would be.
Here are my questions: is it worth it if the reception isn't exactly traditional, as long as guests are hosted properly? Will rows really ruin it? Should I compromise on this because FI loves it and figure it out later? I want him to be involved and happy with it, more than anything right now...
PS: there is a smaller caberet theatre that I really like in the same building, but it would hold a lot less people and isn't as "theatre-y" as the other... so FI says we might as well just get a cheap banquet hall instead of that one, though I disagree...