No chairs for the ceremony on the beach??

[Destination Scout]

Jen we had a pagan/mayan ceremony. The officiant presented us to the four cardinal directions (each represented by a different guest), each of which represents a trait needed in marriage (love, strength, beauty, purity) and sprinkled us with flower petals (to signify giving us their blessing). After each direction all the guests either played instruments (drums, clapped) to celebrate. We had one of our friends step in and lead the exchanging of vows, and then we went around the circle and had each guest say something small, either a good wish or a word of advice. At that point we gave the guest a lei as a token of our appreciation. We had 20 guests, but I've seen this same ceremony performed with a guest list of 50 people. There are many pictures of our ceremony at Tulum, Mexico Wedding Photography: Malisa and Todd – Dreamtime Images

One of my favorite websites that gives some awesome ideas for writing your own ceremony is Chicago Wedding Officiants Wedding Offic

Good luck. Your wedding will be great no matter what you choose.

[daniepps]

I think standing at a ceremony works best if there is a small number of people. I think the amount of people you're having may be too many to stand for the ceremony but if the expense is going to be too great, then standing will be fine. You'll just have to keep the ceremony as short as possible.

[ebernard4985]

It seems a bit odd... but you need to do what you feel is best. If you want chairs at your wedding, then get the chairs! Benches are really cute too! I saw some pictures of weddings with benches and they looked awesome!

[Destination Scout]

Matt - I tend to disagree with you. Circular formations can be designed with enough space in between the guests for the photographer to get great shots of the wedding couple. In fact - I think it adds a lot to the pictures to have the couple surrounded by their loved ones, instead of random shots of guests sitting in chairs.

[Stacy015]

I am getting married in Maui this coming June.

Chairs aren't even allowed on most beaches there anymore (lots of rules changed recently). But my wedding coordinator said that lots of brides had chose not to have chairs in the past because it's kind of fun to let people come barefoot and stand in the sand if you're going for the casual type wedding. She also said the average length wedding there is liek 12 minutes and it just isn't a big deal to have people standing.

 

My cousin also got married in Maui about 4 years ago when chairs were allowed on all beaches. My aunt said that the chairs did sink.. And she said although the chairs are nice, it wasn't really necessary due to the short length of the ceremony.

 

BUT, I'm like you and am skeptical about this. I chose to have a private location and I'm bringing in chairs

[Tonir]

Hmmm now I'm really bummed. I am having about 35 people at my wedding and I ended up deciding against chairs. With the per chair price and delivery fee it was going to be $400-500. I couldn't justify spending that much for the 15 minutes the ceremony will likely be. Also we do not have any elderly guests coming. The one person that might have a problem standing that long, we will just bring a chair for. One of the reasons we chose a destination wedding was so that it would be casual and less expensive, so I think I'm going to stick with the no chair decision.

[Ashlynn039]

Tonir - don't be bummed! It's different for every situation, like you said you don't really have elderly guests coming, the cost is high, and your ceremony is short! Im sure it will be great... chairs or no chairs!

[brookedanielle]

Jennifer - Chairless ceremonys do happen. I am a chairless ceremony bride myself. In my opinion, it comes down to how badly you want the chairs. If it's what you want, it doesn't really matter what the officiant thinks of how the chairs will settle in the sand etc. Always keep in mind its YOUR wedding! The cost factor may be the make or break on that decision.

 

Toni - I am in the same boat. As much as I wanted chairs... the cost is just ridiculous. What I've seen is about $5-10 per chair plus at least a $200 setup fee. I can't justify it.

 

My issue is... How will my guests all see though? What if my 6'2" brother blocks my 4'9" best friend's view? I've got about 30 guests and this stupid chair issue seems to be what is stressing me out the most.

[*tanga*]

Quote:

Originally Posted by brookedanielle Jennifer - Chairless ceremonys do happen. I am a chairless ceremony bride myself. In my opinion, it comes down to how badly you want the chairs. If it's what you want, it doesn't really matter what the officiant thinks of how the chairs will settle in the sand etc. Always keep in mind its YOUR wedding! The cost factor may be the make or break on that decision. Toni - I am in the same boat. As much as I wanted chairs... the cost is just ridiculous. What I've seen is about $5-10 per chair plus at least a $200 setup fee. I can't justify it. My issue is... How will my guests all see though? What if my 6'2" brother blocks my 4'9" best friend's view? I've got about 30 guests and this stupid chair issue seems to be what is stressing me out the most.

I am the same - It is one thing my FH doesn't deem necessary. I want all of my guests to be able to see and to sit down if they want to. I just ordered 10 extra chairs (we are having a marquee and self catering) and Ill set them up in a semi circle so that there is at least an aisle of sorts and that people can sit down if they want to.

[jennifer769405]

Thanks for all of the responses I appreciate everyone's feedback on this as I have really been on the fence with this issue!

 

And thank you for sharing your pictures Malisa....I thought they turned out great! So I will be fine with not having chairs if it just isn't possible or it turns out to be way too costly but I honestly would prefer to have them...even if there aren't chairs for everyone, I would like a few so that the older guests at least have the option of sitting down.

 

I'm currently waiting on a quote for the chairs...I guess that will be my deciding factor!

 

At least now I know that it isn't completely unheard of to not have the chairs.