Do I really need chairs???

missy439

So, I know this probably seems like an odd question for most of you, but do I really need chairs at the wedding ceremony? A quick summary of our wedding. We are having our guests (about 50) spend the weekend in cabins in the woods. The cabin setting will also be the location of our reception. Our ceremony will be at a lake about 10 minutes from the cabins. The plan is to have guests drive from the cabins to the ceremony and then back to the cabins for dinner/reception. I have not been to a ton of weddings, but the ceremonies themselves are usually not that long. I would imagine ours will be 10 to 20 minutes at the most. Is it ok to have guests stand for the ceremony? It's a very low key, relaxed wedding. I think my biggest worry is having to deal with renting chairs, setting them up and taking them down, all for just a short period of time. Any thoughts?

kaos16

a seat for every butt!
a seat for every butt!
a seat for every butt!


But seriously, even with a 10-20 minute ceremony, things happen.  Someone in the bridal party could be delayed, or your officiant, etc.  Not to mention, people show up early.  Your guests could potentially be standing for 45 minutes or so. . . . not pleasant for everyone.  You don't have to get anything fancy.  Folding chairs, or even hay bales covered in blankets would be acceptable, as long as everyone has a place to rest their tush!

balletdawn

sigh...this again?

QueerFemme

yes. You need chairs.  Guests will arrive 10-20 minutes before the ceremony. Your ceremony will last 10-20 minutes, and that's if everything goes super smoothly. So, you are asking people to stand in one spot for 20-40 minutes.  Not fun.

Do this.... go put on a cute skirt/dress, and a pair of heels, or even wedges for comfort... and go stand in your backyard for 40 minutes in one spot.  You will quickly realize, you need to deal with the hassle of renting chairs or benches or something.

annie912

Yes.

egm900

I went to a wedding that last 3 minutes, and it would have been nice to have a chair. Guests will get there before the scheduled start time of the ceremony, and as PP said, it's hard to say exactly how long it will last or if it will start on time.

Peavy

Hire a local to set up and take down your chairs, that way you don't have to deal with it.  But everyone needs a place to sit.

Amers337

Sorry, but I really think so, picture all the girls in the cute heels they picked out to look adorable for you day!  Plus grandma!  Have groomsmen set them up!  That's what they're there for!!

Amy
http://bgweds.blogspot.com/

NOLAbridealmost

YES YOU DO. 

My brother just got married and they only had about 20 chairs and 100 guests.  I had to sit there next to my siblings and parents while my husband stood in the back.  I was so distracted wondering whether H was okay or comfortable that I couldn't relax and enjoy the wedding.....and I HAD a chair. I am guessing those without chairs were even more irked. 

kaym6

i would say yes! even if it isnt a long ceremony alot of times it is hard to see when people are standing!

RamonaFlowers

A chair for every butt, every time.

Viczaesar

In Response to Re:Do I really need chairs???:[QUOTE]Sorry, but I really think so, picture all the girls in the cute heels they picked out to look adorable for you day!nbsp; Plus grandma!nbsp; Have groomsmen set them up!nbsp; That's what they're there for!! :Amy <a href="http://bgweds.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">http://bgweds.blogspot.com/</a> Posted by
Amers337[/QUOTE]
Why do you advertize your wedding planner website in every single post?

Tanq&Tonic

Yes, please provide a chair for every guest regardless of age, perceived health, or ceremony duration.  It doesn't matter how long or short your ceremony might be, it's inconsiderate not to provide some sort of seating option.

claudiagior86

my opinion is different... we arent using chairs....
1 we are paying for our own wedding and Im a college student..
2 no one will have heel... unless they can manage it to walk on the sand with the heels

QueerFemme

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_outdoor-weddings_do-i-really-need-chairs?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:666Discussion:c8afbb08-0b7c-4dc8-921b-ca1790093e9aPost:88260fd7-8d13-4305-89ac-b1f9b4259d34">Re: Do I really need chairs???</a>:
[QUOTE]my opinion is different... we arent using chairs.... 1 we are paying for our own wedding and Im a college student.. 2 no one will have heel... unless they can manage it to walk on the sand with the heels
Posted by claudiagior86[/QUOTE]

There are thousands of broke college students who get married and pay for their weddings all the time.  You can rent chairs for anywhere from .75 cents to 2.50 each.  Depending on how big your guest list is... that is not a lot of money.  You are talking about 1-2 meals at the Olive Garden or Chilis or a few weeks worth of Starbucks coffees.

Even if people don't wear heels, standing in the sand for any amount of time is uncomfortable.  Especially if a person has foot, leg, knee or back pain/injury. 

GoodLuckBear14

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_outdoor-weddings_do-i-really-need-chairs?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:666Discussion:c8afbb08-0b7c-4dc8-921b-ca1790093e9aPost:88260fd7-8d13-4305-89ac-b1f9b4259d34">Re: Do I really need chairs???</a>:
[QUOTE]my opinion is different... we arent using chairs.... 1 we are paying for our own wedding and Im a college student.. 2 no one will have heel... unless they can manage it to walk on the sand with the heels
Posted by claudiagior86[/QUOTE]

Being a broke college student does not give you a pass to be a bad hostess.

My brother and SIL had about fifty guests and four chairs.  One each for the MOB, MOG, SIL and me.  the FOB, FOG and DH stood behind our chairs and all of the guests stood behind them.  This was not at all comfortable for me and was physically uncomfortable for everyone else.

Knottie1450123632

how bout ettiquette.  its rude. to make pple stand at a wedding no matter how long you think it will last. plus if you short you cant see.

claudiagior86

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_outdoor-weddings_do-i-really-need-chairs?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:666Discussion:c8afbb08-0b7c-4dc8-921b-ca1790093e9aPost:a5896327-17b6-4009-ab68-02c27ec20f2f">Re: Do I really need chairs???</a>:
[QUOTE]how bout ettiquette.  its rude. to make pple stand at a wedding no matter how long you think it will last. plus if you short you cant see.
Posted by southerncutie[/QUOTE]

if you are short, you will still be short sitting in a chair

SarahAnn2

You absolutely need chairs. As PP's have already said:

1. People will be arriving early.

2. Weddings never start on time.

3. The ceremony will be 10-20 minutes.

You have to expect that people will be standing for around 40 minutes. Not okay. These people are taking time out of their day (sometimes even taking time off of work for travel), and they AT LEAST deserve a chair. If I went to a wedding without seating I would just leave.

Think about how many wedding stories you hear about people in the bridal party fainting on stage from standing so long in one place. You have 50 guests. Do you really want to increase your chances of having someone faint?

thmpper

If you think everyone will be able to see and it's short, don't bother with chairs.  I was at a wedding that had no seating.  There were about 30 people there and the ceremony lasted about 7 minutes.  Everyone had a decent view and it was not a big deal.  It actually gave kind of a nice feel, as if everyone was standing in support of the couple.  I'm having chairs simply because I have about 140 people coming and I want to be sure everyone can see.  You could have a few chairs for those that need them.