tables vs. lawnchairs

farmgirl8806 · February 2010

So my FI, and I have been trying to decide between having tables and chairs at the reception or lawnchairs and a few picnic tables. Guests are already to come dressed casual; only siblings, parents, grandparents, and the MOH and BM will be at the ceremony in the yard. FYI, I tend to over think thins, which is part of the reason why this is so difficult for me.

Lawnchairs and picnic tables: Guests would bring their own lawnchairs and the picnic tables would be for those that forget, can't bring, or don't have lawnchairs. We would have some games outside the barn (reception area) for guests to play and still have a DJ in the barn. We would really want a fun, casual, atmosphere. Something in my gut keeps telling me to go with this, but I can't decide for sure myself (it's a very weird feeling and hard to explain). There would be less to decorate, so I wouldn't miss out on quite as much decorating. I will be student teaching at the time, so I will be unable to help decorate much.

Tables and chairs: There would be tables and chair for all guests (or almost all of them). This would be a little more formal, so I would insist that the the tables look nice (not elegant though). Also, I don't think games outside would be appropriate then.

Maybe there's a way to combine the tables and chairs with the picnic tables without it looking tacky, but I'm not sure how to make it work. Any ideas/suggestions? Has anybody been to a wedding reception where they haven't had the formal tables and chairs? If so, how did the couple pull it off?

danieliza1127 · February 2010

What is inside the barn?

Are the tables and chairs or picnic tables/lawnchairs for the ceremony or for the reception?

danieliza1127 · February 2010

I don't think having tables and chairs makes it formal at all. You can get folding tables and chairs and use inexpensive linens and just have little flowers in mason jars or something, totally casual and easy to throw together.

We went to a wedding once that was at a home and it was super casual, shorts and t-shirts casual. They still had tables and chairs set up. We sat to eat but we also walked around a lot and socialized and stuff, so it's not like we were sitting in those spots the entire time. I do think you need a chair and table spot for every person. People will want to sit to eat unless you're only having finger foods. I'm not crazy about the idea of asking people to bring their own chairs. I think that's something you need to provide as hosts.

CA2MT4EveR · February 2010

Where are people eating? yeah so you forgot your chair and get a table to eat on, but you brought your chair like you were asked so you have to eat off your lap?

CA2MT4EveR · February 2010

Oh, and I am slightly confused. Are you inviting more people to the reception and just family to the ceremony? If so, not cool

CA2MT4EveR · February 2010

and another PS---

Your fiance proposed to you over the phone?!?!

pandasquishy · February 2010

I think you need to provide a seat at a table for every guest to eat at, not just "almost all of them." No one wants to be that person standing around with a plate of food and no where to eat it.

trix1223 · February 2010

I'd prefer the tables and chairs. But that doesn't have to make it "formal". My niece had an outside reception. The tables had gingham tablecloths on them and the CPs were just mason jars with flowers from their garden.

They had games outside the area where the tables were. I hate being a places where you have to balance your plate, drink, and other sundry "stuff" while you're sitting and trying to eat in a lawn chair. It's just difficult and annoying.

And getting in and out of picnic tables is awful if you're the one on the middle of the bench.

I think you can still have exactly the feel that you want and still be gracious enough to provide tables and chairs for your guests.

farmgirl8806 · February 2010

What is inside the barn? DJ, food, seating (if we don’t have lawnchairs), we have to have seating outside the barn as well
Are the tables and chairs or picnic tables/lawnchairs for the ceremony or for the reception? For the reception. If we do lawnchairs I’m not sure what we’ll do for the ceremony.

Where are people eating? People are eating in the barn. If we go the lawnchair route they will be eating on their laps (wearing their jeans, t-shirts, and shorts). It would be like a picnic; like what our neighbor always has.

Are you inviting more people to the reception and just family to the ceremony? Yes, we want only our siblings, nieces and nephews, parents, and grandparents there, with the exception of our BM and MOH. These people are the most important people in the world to us; if we weren’t having just them there, we wouldn’t have anybody at the ceremony and just go get married at the courthouse.

Your fiance proposed to you over the phone?!?! Yes, he did. He asked me a few weeks prior to that, but he hadn’t asked my parents for permission yet. After he asked for their permission he called me immediately because he was so excited he couldn’t wait. I don’t even have a ring (nor do I really want or need one), so how is that for being “unconventional”? Please don't pick my best friend and the man I love apart. Thank you.

I have tables & picnic tables. The actual tables are inside the pavilion and the picnic tables are on the patio…. I had that thought too, but I wasn’t sure. We may end up doing that, but we don’t have access to octagon picnic tables. With all my dad’s medical bills we are trying to make this as cheap as possible but still fun. We have access to free tables and chairs from my FI’s uncle, our church, and maybe the firestation (my FI is a volunteer firefighter). However, there wouldn’t be quite enough for all the guests (if we can get tables and chairs from all 3 places), but we can get free picnic tables from all the neighbors.

Thank you for the helpful ideas/suggestions.

tables vs. lawnchairs

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