Beach Wedding seating

Honestly, as a guest I would be so upset if I spent time and money to get ready, but a dress, do my hair, rent a hotel and look nice to then get to the ceremony and find out there weren’t any chairs. It’s really hard and uncomfortable to sit in a dress or evening cloths on a towel in the sand. Most will not be able to sit comfortably in evening attire and still look presentable/not be covered in Sand.


You you need to provide actual seats for your guests. They are attending as honored guests to witness your marriage and should be treated as such.

I think it depends on your guests and perhaps you say something ahead of time. Women might be desperately trying to keep their dresses tucked down and not flying away if they don't have shorts on underneath. I would do something similar to the fitted sheet hack to keep sand from getting everywhere (or at least lessen it).

It's a cute idea, but I would recommend it for a smaller wedding or else your costs will sky rocket. And again, if this fits with your guests, go for it. perhaps provide extra seating for those that simply may not want to sit in the sand.

I'm planning to include the seating arrangements in the invite. A lot of my guests already know, and no one seems to have a problem with it yet. The venue also have flooring they usually put down for wedding ceremonies. I was thinking of using this to prevent the messiness of sand. But.....then it would be uncomfortable to sit on.

I would hate to sit on the ground in a nice dress. It would be super uncomfortable to manage.

How do you plan on knowing who needs chairs? A lot of people have back problems that you might not know about so how do you work out the number and how do people know if you've classified them as worthy of a chair when they get there?

View Quoted Comment They would request in advance. Certain guests we'd know in advance already because of age.

Depending on where the seating will be (semi circle vs straight rows), all of the people on picnic blankets would have to be in the front which puts all of the people who need chairs in the back. I definitely wouldn’t want to put my grandparents in the back row for my wedding. It also makes it much more likely that kids at your wedding would be playing in the sand all through the ceremony if you let them sit on the ground. If your reception venue is near the beach, you could provide blankets for people to use later if they want to enjoy the beach or need to give their dancing feet a break. If you want that casual beach vibe for the ceremony, you could have a spot where guests leave their shoes. I would love kicking off my shoes for the ceremony and just enjoying the warm soft sand.

View Quoted Comment How do they know if they meet your criteria to request a seat? How do you cut that off? Is it just them or do they get to sit with their SO too?

Just an example, my dad had major spinal surgery about 6 years ago. He's mostly recovered, but he still takes morphine daily for the pain. A lot of people have no idea though, it was a long time ago and he doesn't show the pain he's in. For your wedding, he would have to ask for a chair. Which would make him feel isolated and uncomfortable that people either know there is something wrong with him, or think he's stealing a seat from someone more deserving. He'd also have to sit away from the rest of our family who are all healthy, or you have to provide us seats too and make other people feel left out that we're allowed a seat but they're not.

It's a cute idea, but just not practical on any level. You shouldn't be doing anything to separate guests into tiers by only offering things to certain people

As someone who had a beach wedding, this is a horrible idea. Please have chairs for everyone. Not only is it uncomfortable to have to sit on the sand but it is isolating and potentially humiliating for the guests who need to request a chair. Please rethink this idea. If you already ordered the towels you can use them for favors later.

View Quoted Comment If I received this invitation I would request a chair. I wouldn’t technically need one But I would know sitting in an uncomfortable position on the sand for over 15 minutes would be a no for me.

My guess is you will do this and almost everyone would request a chair. Whether you think think they would need it or not. Then you will have wasted money on custom blankets and still need to rent chairs.

Skip it. It’s cute but it’s inconsiderate and impractical

I'm a huge beach goer and I still won't sit on a towel in the sand. I'm healthy and in my 20s and would be ridiculously uncomfortable. I am another vote for chairs. Honestly I'd more likely stand in the back than sit on the sandy ground like a child.

Treat your guests with dignity and get a chair for everyone.

View Quoted Comment

No one is going to tell you to your face that this isn't a good idea, but it isn't. Your family and friends don't want to upset you, but I bet they are thinking it. Treat your guests properly and offer EVERYONE a chair.

Its YOUR wedding, but I am providing chairs for everyone at my beach wedding, good luck