Post # 1
Member
16 posts
Newbee
Hey guys! I need some honest opinions here…
Fiance and I are thowing a NYE wedding. We rented a house in a beach town (FI’s family has a house in this town so we literally knocked on the doors of some mansions and pitched our idea). We have 120 people invited and asked that the attire be black tie. (Some people have grunted and groaned about this, but why wouldn’t you want to get decked out on NYE?!) We are having heavy h’ds and 2 stations- sushi station and action slider station. Now… there is not enough room in the mansion for tables and chairs for everyone, but seeing as the reception starts at 8, all food will be edible without utensils and we a going for a cocktail feel, I thought 50-60 chairs with high cocktail tables would be fine! My mother thinks this is an abomination. What do you guys think? Honesty appreciated… am I being rude by having this style wedding reception? Has anyone been to anything like this??
Post # 3
Member
6998 posts
Busy Beekeeper
i am seriously inlove with this idea! I think you would be fine with having hightop tables and chairs for people to sit but i dont think you need a table setting for everyone. I mean it is NYE and the reception starts later so i think everyone will be fine standing – thats exactly what would happen at any house party right?
are you hiriing a DJ? i would hope most people would be up and about dancing and socializing anyway.
I love the idea of black tie weddings or parties, im always looking for an excuse to get dressed up.
Id stick to your vision
Post # 4
Member
3574 posts
Sugar bee
I hate to say it, but I think your mom is right. This is not enough chairs. Is there going to be dancing? Also, I understand people groaning about black tie. Normally it is an inconvenience because a lot of people need to rent them, but now they will have to arrange and rent that during the holidays, which is a busy time for people. Also, I’m not sure I would be thrilled to wear black tie if there was only going to be hors d’oeuvres.
Post # 5
Member
2018 posts
Buzzing bee
I think the space is fab and so is your idea. But I do think you should have enough (or nearly enough) seating for all. It doesn’t have to be tables but maybe some high stools or have some loungy type ottomans pushed against the walls to maximize space and then they can double as tables and chairs.
Post # 6
Member
6 posts
Newbee
@futuremrssendek:
Um, if I went to your wedding and didn’t have anywhere to sit I’d be pretty pissed. ETA – especially if I showed up in black tie appropriate attire.
Post # 7
Member
7975 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
I would think you’d want chairs for more than 40-50% of your guests! People may be moving about and dancing, but it’s nice to have somewhere to set your purse/wrap while you’re dancing, and to be guaranteed a seat if you’re tired. Are there other seating options in addition to the high tops, like lounge-y spaces with couches?
Post # 8
Member
2891 posts
Sugar bee
It depends on the age of your crowd. If it is mostly an over 40 crowd then yes it is rude. If it is a mostly under 30 crowd it is more acceptable. People do like to sit down somewhere though so maybe a bench or two?
Post # 9
Member
3375 posts
Sugar bee
I love the black tie idea! I would totally have a black tie wedding if more of my guests owned tuxes. (my family does, but FI’s didn’t)
Sorry, but from 8-midnight I would need to sit down. I would probably wear high heels and would be in pain before then. People complained at the last wedding I went to that there weren’t seats during the 1 hour cocktail hour. What about scattering tables throughout rooms?
Post # 10
Member
16 posts
Newbee
totheislnds Thank you honey! I appreciate the support!
I think you guys are right, we will figure something out. But as far as the black-tie during the holidays goes, if they don’t want to come they don’t have to… And there will be plenty of food.. it’s not like we are trying to starve them, we just thought 9pm would be late for a sit down dinner when its NYE and most people will want to dance and celebrate. There will be different h’ds every hour on the hour and stations will be open all night, then there will be mini milkshakes and white hot chocolate, as well as cannolis and cake.
Thanks for the suggestions of ottomans and benches, I think that may work…
Post # 11
Member
7431 posts
Busy Beekeeper
@futuremrssendek: I LOVE this idea, and would love to come!! 😉
I do think having more areas to sit is also a good idea, even if its just ottomans, chairs, whatever.
Post # 12
Member
161 posts
Blushing bee
Are you having the event on the first floor only? One way to get more “seating” areas would be to move portions of the party to other rooms/floors of the mansion. If you did different HDs or drinks in rooms upstairs or other areas of the hosue you could have couches, chairs, ottomans, etc there as well.
PS I LOVE NYE weddings and think they are always very elegant, romatic and FUN!
Post # 13
Member
328 posts
Helper bee
I think this is a great idea, except I think you should definitely have enough seating for your older guests (i.e., grandma). Also, when I dress up like that (which I love) my shoes are often really uncomfortable! I would think the ladies would like an opportunity to sit down without having to scavenge for a seat. Love the idea of a lounge. If I’m dancing, sometimes I need a break!
That staircase looks AWESOME for pictures.
Post # 14
Member
192 posts
Blushing bee
As long as you make sure to have lots of places for people to sit, you should be okay, even if they are not chairs (benches, the staircase, patio chairs outside, etc.).
The worst wedding I ever attended was similar to yours (fancy, evening standing-only reception with hd’s, etc.). Unfortunately, the majority of the guests were either over the age of 60, or heavily pregnant (no joke – there were at least a dozen girls about 8 months along … including both of her bridesmaids). There were not enough seats for those that desparately needed to have a sit down, and for the rest of us – the entire night was far too long to be standing without a break, and we certainly didn’t feel right stealing a pregnant or elderly person’s seat! The majority left the party before the dancing even started …
Post # 15
Member
4824 posts
Honey bee
We had something similar and it worked great. I would have extra chairs in places even without tables though so there are still extra seats.
I would also have a designated place for coats so people dont “claim” a seat and not allow others to use it because their coat is on it, but they arent sitting there.
EDIT- we had seats at tables for about 60% of the total number of people
Post # 16
Member
16 posts
Newbee
You guys are awesome. I think i’m definitely going to try to “lounge it up”. Can’t wait to show you pictures 🙂 xx
