Sit-at-tables-during ceremony - anyone doing this or been to a wedding that did?

kimberlyjj81

Hi there - We're getting married in the same venue as our reception.  It's a conference center with 1/3rds partitions and initially we thought about cramming 150+ seats into 1/3 of it for the ceremony, then doing a flip afterwards to use the entire space for the reception.  That would mean a LOT of people waiting for drinks in the lobby for a good 45 min.Our coordinator suggested keeping the entire room open and having guests sit at the already set up reception tables as they come in, with an "aisle" made down the center of the large room.  Has anyone been to a wedding like this, and what did you think?  Or is anyone else doing this?  Thanks in advance

sucrets4

If our ceremony had to be inside, this is one of the options we had.  We lucked out with weather, but I think it's fine.  As long as I have a place to sit during the ceremony and CH, I'm happy.

CubsGirl05

I went to one like this last year. It was by far my favorite wedding. People could have drinks during the ceremony (just ask that they get them before the ceremony starts) and there wasn't any wait time before the party began. It also looked super elegant.

Kristin789

We did this. And it was perfect for us. The most appreciative were people over 55 who really don't want to hassle getting up and moving from room to room or leave one place and drive to another place. The next most appreciative were families with kids under 10 - it was much easier for them to sit the kids down in THEIR seat that they'd have the whole time. After we were announced, the retired minister did a blessing for the newlywed couple and for the meal we were about to enjoy. Then a friend of mine did the champagne toast. Then the waitstaff brought out the salads. Seamless. Worked great. No huge gap, no awkwardness of not knowing where to go and where to sit again and again, etc.

redhotrachel35

I am doing this. I wasn't crazy about it at first either, but I think it will be better for our guests. Less shuffling around.

apple_green

I went to a wedding like that and thought it was kind of strange. Maybe it was lack of communication, because we didn't know what was going on or where the aisle was. It's not the end of the world though.

kimberlyjj81

Thanks for the replies.  At first I thought it would be completely weird but I'm happy to hear it's not a big deal.  We have a guest book/greeter that can explain if anyone is confused.

mouse10031978

We are doing this as well. We are getting married in a barn, and no turn over is possible, so we are basically setting up all the tables and creating an aisle through the middle. We will be getting married up on a stage in the front of the barn and then the cocktail hour and reception will immediately begin afterward. At first I was a little leary of this, but now I think it will just be informal and fun! I have gotten used to the idea.

Sooles

i think we are doing this (there may be an extra room available for the ceremony but we wont know until a month before).i have never been to one like this but my venue said it is not uncommon, they do weddings like that all the time.

ffmaid

I went to two wedding this way. Both times it was annoying as you were angled wierd for teh whole thing. Better then standing but well not good

ffmaid

oh if you can rent and extra set of chairs. A friend of mine did this thing where the ceremoney was on the dance floor and the chairs set up in rows with the tables already set where the tables were. Then after the wedding she had us all go outside for a group photo and by the time we got back the staff had moved all teh chairs to the tables. (so not moving tables just chairs)