If your having an outdoor wedding...

Question

at a park or on the beach...etc, does it really matter or make a difference if there are chairs at the ceremony or not? No matter what your budget is, whats wrong with standing for 20 mins? Why do some people think it's so 'wrong.'

Answer 1

The shortest wedding ceremony is at least 15 minutes long but people can't walk up to the ceremony as it's beginning.  You have to be there abot 15 minutes early so that you see the processional which lasts at least 5 minutes itself.  Your guests don't just file away at the end of the ceremony, they have to wait for you and the bridal party to get out of the way, which could be another 5 minutes.  Add it all up...that's 40 minutes minimum.  (Plus, do you want to be rushed away from the ceremony location so your guests can get off their feet?)  

Personally, a wedding is spent on my free time.  I wouldn't want to stand around in nice clothes and uncomfortable shoes (as most women probably wear to weddings) for an extended period of time.  It's just not how you should treat your guests.  

And "it's your wedding, do what you want" does not justify being a poor hostess.

Answer 2

you could just have seating for your older guest(grandparents, parents,aunt and uncles) and have the rest of your guest standing.

Answer 3

iv'e been to weddings where we had to stand during the ceremony and i didn't think it was a problem at all.

Answer 4

i don't think there is anything wrong with it , just that people would probable be more comfortable sitting.

Answer 5

we chose a 10 minute ceremony and didn't provide chairs for guests. we did put out a few chairs for the grandparents to sit on however as they are frail.

everyone else was happy to stand :)

Answer 6

I have been to many out door weddings with no chairs and they are beautiful

maybe have a few for the older people like grandparents that cant stand that long but other than that it is fine for people to stand  

Answer 7

My cousin had her wedding in a garden and there were no chairs..

I don't remember anyone complaining.. =P

Answer 8

I'm a shorter stature individual, I recently went to a 'standing' wedding and barely saw a thing.

At least it was my fiance, not me who was close to the couple, because I would actually want to see my friend getting married if I was at their wedding

Answer 9

Hi.  Well, I guess it's not "wrong" as you say, but, yes, it does matter!  If a ceremony is 20 minutes in length, the guests (hopefully!) arrive 10-15 minutes prior to that.  So, in actuality, they will be standing at least 30-45 minutes (maybe even longer).  Anyway, most beach or park weddings do have chairs.  Chairs should be provided at least for anyone elderly.  My parents are in their 80's and would not be able to stand for that length of time.  

Answer 10

Look at it this way people are coming to your day and they are bringing gifts....if you don't like the thought of chairs think of something that people will go wow that is a really cool idea..With people standing that are going to be fidgety and they may take the attention away from the bride and groom..make your wedding a day to remember and in a good way..Do you want people to talk and say "Can you believe that they did not have any seating at their wedding?" or would you rather hear them say "Wow that was a great idea!"

Answer 11

Most ceremonies last for about 35-45 minutes, not 20. Asking people to stand for a long ceremony makes them cranky. Your day will go much better if you can provide chairs. Besides the fact that it can be really hard for everyone to see (you can't line them up according to height), and people will be moving around making more noise if they are standing (this can be annoying on the video). And God forbid if there are children there - they will most likely take off and raise h**l if you can't put them in the seat. Plus some people just can't stand that long.

Answer 12

I am getting married in an outdoor garden. We are providing chairs for everyone. There will be a lot of old people and I don't want them to stand around in the sun for a half an hour. Plus, a lot of ladies like to wear heels to look nice for our wedding and I'm pretty sure they'd like to sit down during the ceremony. I guess it's not necessary, but I think it's nice to think about the guests who came all over the place to attend your wedding by providing them a little bit of comfort.

Answer 13

There is nothing wrong with having guests stand for a 20 minute ceremony. If you have a few elderly people (grandparents), provide a few chairs for them marked "Reserved".

    I got married on the beach and I didn't provide any chairs. No one complained about standing. It wasn't a super formal wedding (which most aren't if they are outside). If you do have all standing, you may want to create and aisle with a runner or something. I didn't and as the ceremony progressed, everyone migrated to the center some how.

   My friend got married under a gazebo outside and she had approximately 30 chairs available for immediate family and those who physically couldn't stand for 20 minutes. With having the chairs, it gave a bit more formal atmosphere than without because there was a definite aisle created.

    Bottom line, a wedding is about you and your soon to be spouse and no matter if they are standing or sitting, that's the most important thing to everyone attending. Good Luck :)

    

Answer 14

I just had my wedding on 8/2. It was an outdoor wedding and yes we chose to have seats. 1 it looked better in the pictures and 2 we h ad some older guest who could and was not expected to stand for 20 minutes. They are your guest, you should take into consideration how many you really want to come and what you would do to make them happy even if it means having chairs. On a beach though I might look at it a different way. Atleast if they wanted to sit down the sand is soft as long as I didnt have a nice dress or suit on. It really depends on the setting ( formal or informal) and how many older guest you will have. Hope I helped

Answer 15

See this is the problem with marriage people like you. please tell him you don't love him anymore you'll only be helping him. sure he might be a tad upset but in the long run he'll be like"i'm so glad i never married that shrew".  

Answer 16

I am having a garden wedding in about a month, we have chosen to hire enough chairs for everyone to have a seat.

Our wedding venue offered us 20 beautiful wooden chairs. I think most people are happy to have a few chair for family and elderly and have the others stand.

I wanted more chairs as a personal choice and for the over all look they gave creating a walk way.

If you don't have the budget for chairs and all the people coming are able to stand for the length of the ceremony. they you shouldn't worry.

or look at having a  row of chairs just for people who need them.

Answer 17

i personnally would love to stand on a beach for 20 min. to witness a wedding.  I don't see anything wrong with it.  and yes...i would chose a beach for my wedding

Answer 18

Because some guests, like grandparents and older relatives, do not have the ability to stand for 20 minutes.  And, in pictures, it looks better to have people sitting rather than standing around.

Answer 19

You could have seats for older guests and special guests. If you know for sure that it will be a short ceremony then have guests stand. But advise the guests in advance because wearing heels that a long period in an outdoor setting is uncomfortable. ( sinking in ground) Maybe you can suggest casual wear and then people would be more comfortable.