Anyone use beach mats instead of chairs?

[RedHeadBride]

Okay, this might be crazy, but has anyone used beach mats instead of chairs for the wedding? I really don't like the way just 20 chairs look on the beach. I know some people have their guests stand, but I don't like that either. Let the badgering begin!

[march132010]

I think its a neat idea!!!!! But I could not imagine my guest to sit on the ground

[jplovesme]

hmmm. beach mats for a wedding? depends on your guests. I personally can't ask my guests (especially my mom - yikes) to sit on mats. But if your guest list is a casual group, and they're not too dressed up, then go for it.

[TATrisha]

I definitely think it's a comfort thing. Would your female guests be comfortable sitting in a sandy situation with a short dress on

 

Also, you'll see chairs on the beach, but you'll also see the mats... so which would look more odd?

[rodent]

I can't picture it. Everyone will be down low & looking up at you. I know several of my guests would have had a hard time getting up. If it was an ultra short ceremony, maybe But, don't forget your guests will have to get out there before you.

[Melidell]

I think that that's a really cool idea but I'm wondering about how comfortable people will be sitting down that low if they're dressed up, too. I agree that it would work better if the wedding was really casual. I know what you mean about people standing up- I worry that they won't be comfortable standing in the heat for long, too. Good luck with whatever you decide!

[mich999]

I don't like the idea at all, sorry. I think it would look like a big yoga class waiting to start and no one is going to want to sit on the sand, even with a mat.

 

If you don't like the look of 20 chairs, set up more. We had 44 people (10 of whom were standing the whole ceremony, but set up 60 chairs because I liked the number and symmetry. My thought was if you are at a church it's not like every chair is taken and more people always want to sit bythe aisle anyways, so I had 6 rows of 5 chairs on each side of the aisle so people could choose where they want to sit. Had to make a few more programs and order a few more fans so each seat had one, but it was worth it, I loved the look (chairs were free).

[aimee!]

We had about 30 guests, and a wedding party of 9, so we had 20 seated guests. I thought that it looked okay. Here's some pictures to help you visualize.

 

 

[Jacilynda]

I had first thought about mats but then decided that it would be uncomfortable for our guests. We ended up having everyone standing in a circle similar to a traditional mexican wedding. But once again like the other girls have said its about comfort, short dresses, older people, looking up especially depending on what time of day will they end up looking up into the sun to see you? Just things to consider

[roxyqt]

I think it depends on the type of wedding you are trying to go for, if you want it to be formal then I say have chairs, but if it is casual then go for it but maake sure your guest are aware of the seating

 

I have actually been to a wedding where they did this , I loved the idea, plus they made it so much more than just a mat in the sand. They placed a large paint brush to brush off the sand and sand buckets with champagne & plastic champagne flutes on the mats. We toasted the bride and groom after they were announced as husband and wife, pus they used this as their cocktail hour. So while the bridal party was taking photos, the guest drank champagne and they also had someone pouring mojitos .

I didn't find it uncomfortable even in a dress, but I will say that 90% of the guest were in their 20's & 30's. I didn't get really sandy (paint brush was great idea to keep the sand off the mat and you). There were some guest that stood behind that mats as well and surprisingly the pictures look cute with everyone sitting with there champagne