Bring Your Own Lawn Chair? Tacky?

Is it tacky? I mean...you're having a bounce house so I don't think tacky is the real issue. Honestly, it's a stupid chair...they cost like ten bucks and I assume parking isn't going to be far away since it's a backyard wedding, so people can just stick them back in their cars if they are that worried about losing it. But, if you can find a deal a like, a dollar a chair, it might be worth it to rent. People just like to complain

^ Your guests, whom are already spending hundreds, possibly thousands to travel to & from the wedding, hotel rooms, food & entertainment, tell them that 10 bucks is not a big deal. I'd decline on my RSVP just for that kind of attitude.

Your guests are already taking time out of their schedules & spending money to see you get married, when in fact you can get married with only one guest. So regardless if it's a stupid chair, it's pretty darn stupid to not provide it. That's almost as bad as the brides who expect their guests to pay for their food.

It takes more than being asked to bring a chair to offend me.

I can't fathom having the kind of wedding you are, but I don't find it offensive, or tacky. Just every different than my own.

In hawaii 400 people with lawn chairs is the norm for a baby's 1st birthday so we wouldn't be offended BUT if my chair got taken or if I tripped over a damn chair I'd be irked.

Frankly? I don't want to be one of 400 guests at a wedding in the first place, never mind hauling my own furniture.

If people are willing to skip your wedding entirely over something as minimal as a lawn chair (that are usually light weight and portable, it's not like they have to drag a love seat through the lawn), then you probably don't want to spend money on having them there anyway. So don't rent the chairs and you automatically get a smaller guest list....win - win!

I would bring a lawn chair and I would have a good time. If I know in advance then I can plan ahead. Sounds kinda fun.

It would be difficult for us. We are a family of six and say kids are invited (since you said there will be bounces houses) I'm not sure where all six of our lawn chairs would also fit in our van lol So yes, I would expect you to provide the chairs. Good point above on the food. Realistically, I would cut the guest list down. Even going in on your own food for 400 can get pretty pricey.

I wouldnt have a problem with bringing my own chair since I usually do to these things.

I can see some people finding it tacky or not liking it. I know you aren't supposed to say this, but if they don't like it, what would really happen? will their head explode? don't think so.

if you have to rent 400 chairs you'll be out a lot of $$ that could be spend on something else your guests would enjoy more. I just googled chair rental and the least expensive I could see totaled 390 dollars.

like a bigger cake or some honeymoon fun.

hmmmmm....honeymoon fun or less irritated guests? I vote for honeymoon fun!

I've been to a ren faire wedding where they asked people to bring a passing dish if it suited them. strange? a bit, but I had the BEST time at their wedding and that was what was important!

You preach it Amy! lol

btw- how much space will there be?

Definitely rent the chairs. That is way too many people to have to worry about them bringing their own chairs. Probably a quarter of them would forget anyway. Some people don't even own chairs. So you would have to rent some for backup anyway. Plus if it is a backyard wedding with 400 guests, I'm sure many people will have a ways to walk after trying to find a parking spot. Lugging a chair around, especially if they have to carry all their kids chairs too, plus gifts, is just added hassle.

I am more curious as to where 400 people are going to park.

I am assuming this place is more out in the country? Which it seems like since there is going to be a lot of yard games.

I am also guessing this is going to be a very casual event as far as dress goes? I don't think many women in dresses otherwise want to play volleyball for starters, lol.

But put me down for another person that thinks bringing your own chair is on the whacky tacky side.

Ouch, beat up on her a little bit ladies haha!

Can you call local friends beforehand and ask if they can bring any lawn chairs they have over before the wedding? And then maybe hit up your church, community center etc for some more to borrow, or ask family/friends to ask their churches and community centers! Here's the thing- since it's a budget concern, I think if you did rent you'd end up with the cheapest chairs possible (no shame, a-ok that chairs are important to you! They weren't to me either!) so I personally think it might be cuter and fit with the feel of your wedding more to have lawn chairs! However, I would just worry about people not actually bringing their own and you have friends standing of sitting on the grass and disgruntled. So, I actually think it's a super cute idea (for real, I'm picturing a fun backyard party with friends spread out like a picnic!) but you do run the risk of people not bringing their own chairs. So you definitely need a back up plan/stash of chairs to be used if needed!

You could always use a saying on your rsvp like "Make yourself comfy, bring a seat or use your feet" ? That sounded kinda dumb but it was off the top of my head lol. If it is going to be low key. Our venue is a Shrine Club and they provide 90 chairs and we plan on bring extras just incase we need them. Small venue, small wedding....low key. Its my style.

Keep in mind too.. some people (like myself) don't even own lawn chairs...

Hummm code of conduct..come on she asked if it was tacky? I have heard stupid etc. just because you don't want to carry your chair does not mean others won't. If you think it is tacky say yes it is tacky not bash the heck out of someone.

My entire extended family lives in Iowa (yay, Iowa!!) and I can tell you that NONE of them would be put out if they received that kind of invite. It doesn't have to be printed on your invite, but instead can easily be spread among word of mouth by family, friends, etc. Or maybe put it on your website? You could even include a cute enclosure card that sets the theme of your wedding (backyard fun) and put it on there? That way your guests know that it's a backyard wedding with lots of fun lawn activities and can dress comfortably (with the right shoes!) AND enjoy it comfortably in their own chair! Maybe have 50 on standby just in case?

We had very little time to plan our wedding and no chance of being able to rent enough chairs on such short notice. We borrowed as many as we could (which actually ended up being enough) and would have asked people we knew had them to BYOLC if we needed more. We also had wooden baskets with blankets rolled up in them for anyone who wanted to picnic (the basket doubled as a small table). We would have eloped but our friends and family made it clear that the mystery of our deaths would never be solved if we tried! They were coming to our wedding if they had to stand during the ceremony and eat with their plates on their laps (they didn't have to do either). Ours is a family of 6 and we wouldn't hesitate to bring our chairs if that were asked of us. We'd also call and ask if you needed us to bring more. And if we were concerned about losing them we'd write our names on them.

I haven't seen this mentioned, but aside from chairs and space ... there will be MANY portable bathrooms brought in for this, right?

For the chairs .... There will be tables provided for people to eat on, yes? If I was asked to bring a chair for the ceremony I would probably just stand - I actually don't mind standing for a ceremony if it's short - but with 400 people I would assume that I wouldn't be able to see or hear.

I would be more put off though if there wasn't a place for me to sit and eat at a table