More people than chairs in ceremony

jtrenee972

My FI and I just found out that the ceremony only seats 110 and we already have 135 guests confirmed. We were told the reception holds up to 150 but the venue never mentioned to our knowledge the ceremony area limit. What's done is done but now how do we handle the guest that will have to stand the whole time. At least 11 of them are the bridal party. But that still leaves about 125 standing. I'm so embarrassed about it. I have a coordinator. Maybe she can make an apology for us. How would you handle this? Wedding April 14, 2012

jen1500

They can't add any kind of seating to the ceremony area? Do you have any little kids coming, who can sit in parents laps? Or maybe you could have an area for kids to hang out with a babysitter during the ceremony so at least all the adults can sit? That's really unfortunate. I would be pissed at the venue/coordinator for not filling me in on that fact sooner, especially since they must have known your estimated guest count for a while by now.

*Sorry is this posts twice, internet messed up when I tried to post it the first time.*

em01092

Yeah you definitely need to do something about this. Making your guests stand is very very rude. I know you said you knew about the 150 for the reception, so did you just assume the ceremony room/location held that many as well? I like PPs suggestion about kids in laps or a sitter, but remember not all parents feel comfortable leaving the kids with a stranger. 

Demand that they find room to squeeze in extra chairs for your guests. They don't have to be pretty, they don't have to be the same as the others, but you need to have them. They can be darned folding chairs if need be. Better than asking guests to stand! 

rardito

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_april-2012-weddings_more-people-than-chairs-in-ceremony?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Club BoardsForum:05427f07-4ba2-44d6-9271-99a7af1ee5c0Discussion:7d38b395-7649-48ce-98c8-1cec0f8165b1Post:2a84485b-16a8-4ac7-8d27-384c0e326f02">Re: More people than chairs in ceremony</a>:
[QUOTE]Yeah you definitely need to do something about this. Making your guests stand is very very rude. I know you said you knew about the 150 for the reception, so did you just assume the ceremony room/location held that many as well? I like PPs suggestion about kids in laps or a sitter, but remember not all parents feel comfortable leaving the kids with a stranger.  Demand that they find room to squeeze in extra chairs for your guests. They don't have to be pretty, they don't have to be the same as the others, but you need to have them. They can be darned folding chairs if need be. Better than asking guests to stand! 
Posted by em01092[/QUOTE]

This

quiggels219

I'm sorry that is really frustrating. I would tell them you need extra chairs. If they gove you an issue i would maybe try and rent my own folding chairs and have my mom or dad just show up with them the day of and be pushy and put them in. Is it a fire code issue or just a seats issue cause that could also make a difference in their response.

cdbishop

I actually went to a wedding last year where this happened.  It was a bit strange there were probably like 20 people standing.  I would see if you can rent a few more chairs and bring them or see if others have dealt with this.