Post # 1

Member
1029 posts
Bumble bee
Hi Bees- Help! I think we’ve found the perfect venue, a ceremony in a gorgeous clifftop park and the reception down the street at an oceanfront hall. However, I’m a bit worried about drawing a crowd at the park, noise, etc. Has anyone done this? Is it an issue?? Thanks!!!
Post # 3

Member
3670 posts
Sugar bee
I’m doing this in March. Ours is on a Sunday evening so we’re hoping there’s less people in the park while we’re there. From what I’ve been told by the officiant we chose, people are usually respectful of weddings. Also, my fiance’s brother got married on a public beach with tons of people around and people seemed to be respectful for the most part (some were in the ocean behind them during the ceremony but what can you do?). I think you’d be fine though.
Post # 4

Member
1029 posts
Bumble bee
Ours is a Sunday as well but likely early enough that it’s prime time- maybe 3pm. I agree people will probably be respectful of a wedding but am still worried about noise, etc. Ah well I guess it’s a trade off for the view..
Post # 5

Member
1568 posts
Bumble bee
I don’t think it’s a big deal and wouldn’t be bothered at all if it happened at someone else’s wedding, but I wouldn’t have been okay with onlookers at our own ceremony. It was really important to us that our wedding be an intimate gathering of those closest to us, and I would just feel that that little zone of comfort and love had been violated a bit if people who didn’t even know us were looking at our wedding just as a spectacle. Public parks can be very beautiful though, so if you really want one then it may be worth it.
Post # 6

Member
279 posts
Helper bee
My brother was married in a park. It was a really small ceremony and casual, but everyone was very respectful. Of course, there was that fisherman in the background who was wearing his jeans so low that when he bent over…yeah, not a pretty sight. We’re also doing a park ceremony in another state. In our case, we’re kind of set away from major trails/roads, and though people may see us, it will be at a distance. A park is a beautiful idea. Just keep in mind to try to find a quieter spot within the park, and I think you will be just find. Everyone loves a wedding day!
Post # 7

Member
1029 posts
Bumble bee
Thanks for the feedback- we debated a more private spot in the park but realized the public-ish spot is also the one with the one-of-a-kind view.. So think it’s worth the risk. I just emailed our DOC to see if any other brides have complained at that sight, so hopefully that will shed some light.
Post # 8

Member
1029 posts
Bumble bee
Post # 9

Member
3670 posts
Sugar bee
I think it’s gorgeous and I think you’ll be fine!
Post # 10

Member
279 posts
Helper bee
Stunning! What a great choice!
Post # 11

Member
1029 posts
Bumble bee
Thanks guys! Man I love the bee!! Peace of mind at any time of day or night.. My Fiance and friends thank you…
Post # 12

Member
1221 posts
Bumble bee
That was a concern of mine as well, as we’re holding our ceremony in a public park of a HOA. Many people have told me, “If people are walking by or whatever, they most likely will stop just to watch but then move on. You’re not going to have anyone wanting to sit down & crying w/ everyone else”. It’s turning to be non-issue for us 🙂
Gorgeous site, btw
Post # 13

Member
9050 posts
Buzzing Beekeeper
I voted other because we did draw a crowd, and it was annoying. We got married in a show garden that you have to pay to gain admission to, and then we paid $1200 to rent the ceremony area.
As I was walking down the aisle I noticed there were a lot of people in the seats that I didn’t know… and that a lot of my real guests didn’t get a seat. We had specifically requested extra seating to prevent this, but it wasn’t provided.
Post # 14

Member
66 posts
Worker bee
Soooo this is how I find out about your wedding details now 😉 muahahaha.
Post # 15

Member
2495 posts
Buzzing bee
I think it’ll be just fine!! People may look, but hopefully most people would be respectful. Definitely talk to your DOC and see if they know of any other brides that had issues.
@SapphireSun: That’s awful that strangers took your real guests’ seats!! Seriously people…. oh my word.
Post # 16

Member
1870 posts
Buzzing bee
I’m doing this. I can’t say from personal experience, but I know others who have and it’s basically as you might expect:
You are in a public space, so don’t expect that people WON’T watch, but you’re also clearly doing something of cultural signficance and in general, people will be polite and keep their distance. No one I know had a problem as in people being rude, but they did receive golf claps at their kisses!
But that’s for a very low-key event with few guests–no chairs, no frills, no orchestra playing when you walk down the aisle, around 20 guests max. If you want the whole she-bang like SapphireSun seems to have had, then I might worry more because that’s more of an event. You might want to talk to the staff of the park and see what they advise. Some parks offer permits for public events which give you the right to ask people to leave if you want (although you might also have to supply someone who can *enforce* that on your own dime!)