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i would be perfectly fine standing. we did this for my sister's wedding! she just provided chairs for the older guests and it worked out fine :)
I don't think it's fair to make guests stand. You may think that the ceremony will "only" last 5 to 10 minutes, but some of your guests will be probably get there 30+ minutes before your ceremony start time.
I picked stick to the usual, because although I would not mind standing for 5-10 minutes, it will end up being much longer than that as people get there early, procession/recession, etc. so they're going to end up standing for a while.
I personally wouldn't mind standing. I think it is important to provide seating for those who need it though.
But know, that if people see they will be standing for the ceremony, they may sit at tables in the reception area till the ceremony begins.
I wouldn't want to stand that long either. Like others said, guests get there early, and you never know if the ceremony will go over, plus girls not planning to stand might be wearing uncomfy heals. Normally I'd say do what you want because you should have a beautiful ceremony, but from the guests viewpoint I dislike the standing idea.
It's beautiful and $3000 is not a small amount. Just be sure that the limited seats are reserved for seniors, handicapped, and those with small children.
Like the others said, even though your ceremony will only be 10 mins, it'll be longer for everything else, like people showing up early, or maybe a late start, etc. I personally don't mind standing, but I think others might have a problem. Maybe don't do the cocktail tables and just use chairs! The venue is too beautiful to change location!
I wouldn't mind standing, but if the space only accomodates about 50 people seated, will 200 people comfortably fit standing? Will everyone get a good view? I would be upset if I was standing in the back and unable to see the ceremony.
I love this! How pretty is that and the fact that you get so save money is even more awesome!
I would put reserved on the chairs so that if you have anyone who is older or can't stand there, they would have a place to be seated.
As long as you keep it short and sweet, no one is going to mind. Maybe you should have the MOH or your folks or his put out the word so that if someone was thinking of wearing their brand new 5 inch heals because they would only be walking or standing a few min will know not to use your wedding to break them in.
Thanks for your input ladies ... yeah, I am unsure about the standing thing and the proximity to the reception area, but we were planning on having a cocktail thing on the terrace in between the ceremony and dinner anyways, so we figured we could make our vows with the guests already in the cocktail configuration, if that makes any sense ... I mean, people usually stand during the cocktail hour anyways, right?
I recently attended a wedding where we all stood for the ceremony. When I first realized this was the plan, I'll admit I was a bit annoyed at the thought of having to stand. But the ceremony was so short, and by standing we were all closer and kind of formed a half-moon around the couple -- it ended up being so much more intimate than any other wedding I've been to (except for a Native American wedding, but that was an entirely different experience). Like others said, so long as you provide seating for elderly guests, I think it's a great idea.
My parents went to a wedding this weekend that was under some oak trees on a golf course. they had 100 chairs and about 100 people standing. Mom said it really wasn't all that bad and in fact didn't seem odd to her.
I personally wouldn't mind standing, but I think that elderly people/pregnant ladies/etc. should be given first priority at seating (which I'm sure you would do). I think the venue looks beautiful, btw! :)
We are getting married in a state park and most people will be standing for the ceremony. We are renting about 8 chairs for elderly relatives and family. I really don't think anyone would mind as long as your ceremony is not longer than 20-25 minutes.
What you think is 5-10 minutes will end up being at least 30 for your guests. They will be walking from their cars into the space at least 10-15 minutes before it starts, right? They they will secure a 'spot' by standing in it and people will file in starting about 30 minutes before. Then, what if you're late for some reason? All the women will be in heels. If you can arrange with the venue to not even let guests into the ceremony site until a minute before it starts, I would go for it - otherwise that's all everyone will remember.
Given the short length of your ceremony, I think it's fine to have some guests standing, but agree that you should definitely have enough seats reserved for the older guests who will need them. I also like the idea of the cocktail tables, which will encourage the standing. Perhaps set-up a non-alcoholic drink station out there so people have some small glasses of lemonade, iced tea, etc. It may create more of a comfortable feel.
As long as you have some seating I think you'll be fine. I went to one where the ceremony had to be moved inside due to rain and some people had to stand. People had mingled first though which I think made it a bit easier to do - not sure why, maybe because they'd had a chance to go to the bathroom and get a drink of water and have a bite to eat and ready to take a break.
Is there seating inside? Where people can wait before the ceremony starts? I think the number of seats is fine, for older guests, etc.... if the rest (now standing) haven't been on their feet literally since arrival.
Thanks for your input everyone! It is really a beautiful place, and it would be a bummer to have to move the ceremony to somewhere without a view. We would definitely have the 50 or so seats reserved for the elderly, disabled, etc
@ModernDaisy: great idea about not allowing people to enter "too early" - that should definitely reduce the "standing time"
@gretchin: I love the drink station idea! I told FI and he even suggested sprinkling some Hershey's kisses on the cocktail tables ..
I feel a lot better about the "stand-up" ceremony now, thanks ladies!
I think you need seating. I am majorly ADHD, and I tend to pace or wiggle a lot if I'm standing that long. Yeah, I look like a 4 year old. A 6'3" 4 year old.
Cool venue! What about benches lining around the perimeter for those who get there early? Standing wouldn't bother me, as long as I could see since I am short. One other thing I noticed- you may want to talk with your photographer about the flags in the background, so they can be creative with their shots and not have a flag sticking out behind you or above your head in the photo. I don't know if you want the ceremony to only be 5-10 minutes, since it is a big reason why everyone is there, make it worth while for you guys just keep the guests in mind too.
@ lemondrop: The benches are a good idea - and good eye about the flags! I never would have noticed!
@fifty: I know, some people won't like standing - I am hoping that the 50 chairs will be enough for that contingent :)
I would second that you should nix the cocktail tables and just go with chairs, especially if you anticipate people coming early. Cocktail hour is standing, but it's also WALKING/wandering around, which is a lot different on the feet than standing, especially in heels.
Love the location though, it's beatiful.
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We're just about to book our venue (both ceremony and reception at the same place). The reception area has a large terrace attached that we just LOVED (photo below), and we wanted to exchange vows at the end of the terrace, with the water as a backdrop. Our ceremony will probably last 5-10 minutes. The pros of this arrangement are that it would be a beautiful setting, unique, and save about $3000. The cons are that the guests would have to walk through the reception space to get to the terrace, and the coordinator at the hotel said that the space would accommodate only 49 chairs and 7 cocktail tables. We are planning on having 200 guests, so a lot of people would be standing. I've never stood during a wedding ceremony, but I've also never been to one that's as short as ours, so I'm not sure if it's proper. How would you guys feel about standing during a ceremony? I am planning on emailing the coordinator back and asking about replacing the tables with more chairs, but do you guys have any creative ideas for ceremony arrangements? Or should we just ditch the idea and have the ceremony by the pool, which for us is a less-than-ideal setting? Thanks!
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