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JJM129

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_outdoor-weddings_tell-guests-sitting-ground?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:666Discussion:c2d49213-c112-4902-8c73-e76e135c526aPost:cbd8b6b1-001c-41a1-a0a3-a442ba147868">Re: how to tell guests they are sitting on ground</a>:
[QUOTE]For all those wondering about chairs and standing etc... Here is my set up: The site is a slight downhill slope and we are to be wed at the bottom of the hill therefore the people on the back will be higher than the people in the front.  The blankets will create the aisle and the chairs will be set up parrall to the aisle behind the blankets facing the aisle. I have thought this out in attempts to give everyone a good view. As for allergies; Noone on my side of the family has grass allergies and we are by the ocean so bugs and bees are not an issue, my FSIL and FMIL have allergies but my FSIL will be standing beside me as my MOH and FMIL will recieve a chair. I have great Family and loyal Friends who would climb a mountain if I wanted them too, So a l am not worried about them being prissy and declining because they have to sit on the ground. I am also supplying the blankets (which guests can take as favours because what do I need with 10-20 blankets) I will not change the venue as this is my favourite and best option for my price range as I am not willing to pay thousands for a hour or two when I can pay a lot less and use the money to put a down payment on a house so I can expand my family. As for guest and wedding Attire it is more on the casual side, we are wanting a simple fun wedding and not expecting people to show up in there best most formal clothing, I am wearing a simple dress and hubby to be is wearing dress pants, shirt (with sleeves rolled up as thats how he likes to wear it) and a vest, no coat, and sneakers. I plan to make it fully clear that its not black tie but also not ratty tatty everyday clothes.  I hope this settle everyones questions and concerns
Posted by rascal17[/QUOTE]

I think it sounds like you have it covered I would just let everyone know by word of mouth and your wedding website rather than on your invitations. Good luck, I'm sure its going to turn out wonderful!

LifeRemarkable

I think it's a cute idea to sit on the ground.

I picture a casual, or business casual attire. With blankets for each family (maybe even seating arangement?)

The blankets could be wedding favors?

I would state in the invites that  your guests are invited to a wedding "picnic style"

Also, the chairs shouldn't be saved for special guests, they should be saved for pregnant women, elderly, and people with back problems/knee problems.

The only time I would be pissed about sitting on the ground is when I was pregnant. getting up of the ground was a near impossiblity and REALLY hurt my back.

LifeRemarkable

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_outdoor-weddings_tell-guests-sitting-ground?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:666Discussion:c2d49213-c112-4902-8c73-e76e135c526aPost:f33103c8-e349-4a10-b213-71ceddeb3022">Re: how to tell guests they are sitting on ground</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: how to tell guests they are sitting on ground : I think your attitude is really selfish and inconsiderate of your family and friends. Yes, people will show up and endure whatever you put them through, but that doesn't mean it's a good idea, and none of them will come out and say to your face what a bad idea your plan is.
Posted by jess9802[/QUOTE]

How do you know this about her friends and family?
My family and friends would not only ENJOY this, they WOULD tell me if they thought it was a bad idea.
Sometimes I get the idea on here that peoples family are stuck up or something. I mean really. CHILL the FVCK out people.

jess9802

Yeah, people are real snobs for preferring actual chairs instead of a blanket on the ground.

LifeRemarkable

Not going to someones wedding because you have to sit on the ground for a few minutes is pretty ridiculous.

Baring health problems. 

jess9802

I don't know why this is so hard for people to understand. When a couple decides to invite people to their wedding, they are HOSTS. It is no longer just their special day. They must take every reasonable measure to ensure that their guests are comfortable and treated well. Putting blankets on the ground because you have fallen in love with a venue that allows a maximum of 10 chairs is not reasonable.

smilygrl17

I'm having a very casual picnic style wedding with ceremony being picnic blankets with people sitting on them. I think that if you spread the word and people know, as well as your reception not being so formal, than it should be ok. I've seen lots of pictures of it being done and it seems to work out great.
Also, Amy Adams is getting married this summer and she has been quoted (in Britains Marie Claire) saying she wants everybody to be on picnic blankets and barefoot.

rascal17

I would like to thank everyone who has been supportive and basically not calling me a selfish snob for having my guests sitting on the ground. I am very close to my family and friends and we are all small town camp out play in the dirt type of people so I know what limitations and allergies are out there. And yes, those with physical disability will be getting a chair. And we were raised properly that if one of my special guest saw someone with a physical disabilty or pregnant didnt have a chair they would be more than willingly give up their seat. 

I also advise the others to please read question properly. I clearly was not asking your advise or opinions on weither sitting on the ground was a good idea or not. I was only looking for ways on letting my guests know that they will be seated on the ground.

jess9802

Sorry, you can't tell people how to reply to threads. If you're going to post on these forums, you must be prepared for the possibility that people will point out breaches of etiquette or bad ideas. Better to hear it from a stranger on the Internet than to offend friends or family and have them complain about your wedding behind your back.

Madisonpenny

Yea, I'm from a small town too rascal, and I would like to think i was raised properly too, but seriously? your going to have more than 10 people are you wedding who are either seniors or have physical disabilities.  Hell, I'm 26 and I have knee problems, so lets get real, those 50+ year olds (like your parents, aunts and uncle) won't want to sit on the ground from 20 minutes to 1hr., no matter the dress code.  And no matter how close you think you are to all these people, you don't know every single allergy these people have.  It's clear no one can change your mind about your venue, hope it doesn't rain cause even with blankets theres gonna be alot of wet asses.

KatyRoseM

I would also say that while you are all people who normally might sit on the ground, weddings make people different.  My family has friends we camp with, and there are never enough chairs.  As a joke my sister didn't put enough chairs at their table at her wedding.  She thought they would think it was funny, and a reminder of how we usually see them.  They didn't get the joke, they just went and asked for another chair, and thought the venue had messed up.  In any other context they would have gone and taken my sisters chair (which is what she thought they might do), but it was a wedding and their mindset was just different. 

Queen Jane

Sitting on the ground at a wedding does not equal Camping out or playing in the dirt. No one misread your OP. They are trying to help you see thus might not be the best option. Because it's not. 10 chairs is not enough, unless there are only 10 guests. Period.

zitiqueen

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_outdoor-weddings_tell-guests-sitting-ground?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:666Discussion:c2d49213-c112-4902-8c73-e76e135c526aPost:eb8bcd16-d132-4448-ae4f-41bfdba077ea">Re: how to tell guests they are sitting on ground</a>:
[QUOTE]I would like to thank everyone who has been supportive and basically not calling me a selfish snob for having my guests sitting on the ground. I am very close to my family and friends and we are all small town camp out play in the dirt type of people so I know what limitations and allergies are out there. And yes, those with physical disability will be getting a chair. And we were raised properly that if one of my special guest saw someone with a physical disabilty or pregnant didnt have a chair they would be more than willingly give up their seat.  I also advise the others to please read question properly. I clearly was not asking your advise or opinions on weither sitting on the ground was a good idea or not. I was only looking for ways on letting my guests know that they will be seated on the ground.
Posted by rascal17[/QUOTE]

Madisonpenny

Yea, so if i was having a wedding and everyone I invited were missing their teeth and played the banjo I still wouldnt expect them to sit on the ground, lol. I'm curious though, what about dinner, assuming your having some type of food, are you only gonna have chairs for a few people and the rest have to eat standing up or sit on the ground? If the answer is no, then what makes the ceremony any different?

specialk84

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_outdoor-weddings_tell-guests-sitting-ground?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:666Discussion:c2d49213-c112-4902-8c73-e76e135c526aPost:eb8bcd16-d132-4448-ae4f-41bfdba077ea">Re: how to tell guests they are sitting on ground</a>:
[QUOTE]I would like to thank everyone who has been supportive and basically not calling me a selfish snob for having my guests sitting on the ground. I am very close to my family and friends and we are all small town camp out play in the dirt type of people so I know what limitations and allergies are out there. And yes, those with physical disability will be getting a chair. And we were raised properly that if one of my special guest saw someone with a physical disabilty or pregnant didnt have a chair they would be more than willingly give up their seat.  <strong>I also advise the others to please read question properly. I clearly was not asking your advise or opinions on weither sitting on the ground was a good idea or not. I was only looking for ways on letting my guests know that they will be seated on the ground.</strong>
Posted by rascal17[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>I really hate this.  You came and asked advice, and PPs gave it to you.  It wasn't what you wanted to hear, but it was still valid.  To me, complaining that PPs can't try to talk you out of doing something stupid because it wasn't the question you asked is even dumber than your plan.</div><div>
</div><div>If a bride came on here and said, "I'd like to rob a bank and need suggestions on how to do it," everyone would tell her it was a bad idea.  No, it's not the information she asked for, but it's still a perfectly valid reaction to someone planning something dumb.</div><div>
</div><div>FWIW, my first-choice venue also said we could only have 20 chairs.  Know what I did?  Found another venue.

</div>

csm6144

It is interesting all of the different types of weddings that are being represented on this post.... From very casual to very uptight. What everyone needs to remember is that people have to do what is comfortable for them and their guests.

If you and your guests are comfortable wearing bow ties and fancy dresses and eating dinner with 5 different forks then go for it. If the couple getting married and the guests want a "dressy" wedding but with casual aspects (like paper tablecloths and crayons to color on them with) then the couple should host that type of wedding. If a couple and the guests are comfortable with picnic tables and blankets on the ground then that is the type of wedding they should have.

There is no reason for every person's wedding to be the same nor should we force what we think is "proper" on other brides. There are some rules that should be followed - if a dinner is served then all guests should be able to eat. But some things are more flexible. Saying that guests cannot sit on blankets is like saying all weddings should be in a church. I am getting married at a gardening store!

We can give suggestions, but they should be done politely!!! You all have said your piece and she understands, but why don't you help her instead of continueing to give her your "this is proper" opinion.

medusia00

I am glad that everyone has had a chance to comment on This Knottie's question. At this point I believe because This Knottie has chosen to delete her OP, I am going to place this thread as closed. There is no reason for us to comment further on something the Knottie has already set her mind to.

Thank you all that commented! If you have questions or concerns feel free to PM me!!