Weddingbee boards

So I was trying to think of some ways to make my 15-minute non-religious, no sand/unity candle/wine sharing ceremony a little more memorable and I remembered attending a wedding where the bride and groom faced their guests at a slight angle.  After Googling, I found some other examples of this and was wondering if any Bees are doing a similar thing.  Here's what I was thinking of:  

Something like that.  Are any other brides doing this/did this? Did you face your guests directly, or at an angle?  Was your officiant in standing in the aisle among the guests or at the altar?  If you've attended a wedding set up in this way, did you prefer it to the "traditional" style?  I would like to see the bride and groom's face at a wedding ceremony... but I think it would be weird to have us "staring people down" if we were to face them straight on.

Here's my ultimate "inspiration" for a ceremony, though... although I don't know how many people would be comfortable with sitting on the floor, even if it's just for 15 minutes.   

Would you be ok with attending a wedding and then having to sit on some rugs with throw pillows for a short ceremony?  Our wedding will probably have a semi-formal feel to it.

Pictures from dayofdreams.com and jessicaclaire.net

Oops... giant pictures didn't work out too well.  Here are the links for a better idea.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/aneedrummergirl/191.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v11/aneedrummergirl/ACFB11F.jpg

Something else you might consider, instead of people sitting on the ground (if women are wearing shorter skirts or dresses, they may not want to), is having them all stand up- perhaps encircling you?  You would want some chairs, of course, for those unable to stand, but I've heard that it works really well. 

I think you may find some guests not too happy about sitting on throw pillows and such, especially if some of the female attire is not so "floor sitting friendly".  (You know, a bit too short...a bit too tight.)  But if you mention it to the guests through word of mouth so they'll be prepared to do so, I think it wouldn't be a bad idea at all...just MHO.

I just have visions of the disaster of my 82 year old grandmother trying to get to the floor. Or collapsing if forced to stand for 10 minutes (which would happen) If you gave people the choice of sitting or standing, and offered chairs for the elderly I think it would work out.  For a 15 minute ceremony, as a guest I would probably rather stand than flash you cousin's uncle. 

But you should know the physical abilities of your major players - if you have a lot of younger guests it might work out fine.

Thanks for the advice, all.  I forgot to mention that I would probably have a row of 15-20 chairs (like the 2nd picture) for our older guests to sit.  I think the standing around in a circle would work if we had a smaller guest list, but I don't think it would be reasonable to have all 125 of them surrounding us (although it would get everyone up close and personal!).

I would also say, go for it! But personally, even though I am young and healthy, I would probably still opt for a chair (after the elderly or otherwise in need of a chair were all taken care of, of course). Mostly because of the attire issue. However, if I knew about it in advance, I might choose a longer dress/skirt and then I'd be happy to sit on the floor - I do at home all the time anyway!

I'd also like to hear other's thoughts on where the officiant would stand if the couple were facing the audience? If he/she stands in the aisle, wouldn't that block the view of many of the guests? And if he/she stands behind, would that be weird, as he would be speaking to the back of your heads and you in to the audience? (I have a thing with making eye contact when speaking with someone!). Is a compromise to just do the whole thing facing your FI, so both the officiant and your guests see you from the side?