Bring Your Own Lawn Chair? Tacky?

I have always wondered where people find 200 guests to invite to a wedding. The thought of 300 guests is even more of a mystery to me. But, I have to ask, how do you compile a guest list that includes 400 people? I'm not trying to be a smarta*s;

I really want to know. Are your families really large, and every member (second, third cousins) on both sides is invited? Friends, neighbors, coworkers, church membership? I'd have to think really hard to come up with 100 people.

I have seen this question asked a while back, and the responses were similar (No/Sure/How could you even think of it?). I'm thinking more of 400 people than 400 lawn chairs. Unless you have access to a public parking lot, people will end up parking blocks away. Is it a bring your own bottle wedding? Food? Noise? Neighbors?

The logistics here boggle my mind. Whatever you decide to do, I can't wait to see the pics from your wedding. I can almost imagine your local newspaper showing up.

My son I law comes from a giant family. His side was 83, aunts and uncles siblings and neice/nephew. 23 aunts, 23 husbands. 2 uncles, 2 wives. 10 siblings, 9 spouses. 14 nieces and nephews. They all live in a 30 mile radius. They are all close and get together for picnics often. I can see how 400 would add up very easy.

Oh i think it's a great idea! it's not tacky or rude at all. if the wedding is as low-key as you describe, then it wouldn't shock me at all as a guest. and you're right, i love sitting in my own chair better than a rental chair. here's what i would do though. not everyone may have a lawn chair or they may forget it. so rent half that amount. then everyone that does remember or that brings one will have a seat. just go with whatever you like. it's your wedding and i think it sounds like alot of fun!

MJ: which is why I asked, is it a wedding or a family reunion. Seriously, it's like who is invited, your second cousin's great uncle? People you've probably never seen or seen once in 10 years, & they HAVE to be invited to this wedding that seems more like a festival than a wedding.... 400 is really excessive. If you want to meet every single family member that you've ever had, have a family reunion. A wedding isnt the time to have THAT many guests, esp when you dont want to budget the money for chairs...

I say rent the chairs.. Half of the people will forget to bring them and I wouldn't want to lug around a chair at a wedding personally

I like AshleyG's suggestion of "Make yourself comfy, bring a seat or use your feet"

I see no problem with it. I wouldn't put it on the invitation though. Maybe just a little note on an enclosure or by word of mouth.

I would rent some chairs since not everyone has lawn chairs. Perhaps close family members can provide the rest.

FWIW I don't really see the big deal with 400 guests. I wouldn't have that many but it's not exactly unusual. There are plenty of groups that have at least that many if not more on a regular basis - Indian, Muslim, certain groups from the Balkans etc.

I love Ashley G's suggestion. It's a tough call and definitely depends on the group of people! 400 guests sounds like a lot! And you definitely want to make sure everyone is comfortable!

I can understand the theory behind renting the chairs, but it may not work the way that most would think.it sounds like the bride is used to people bringing their own chairs for outdoor parties as am I.

as for being comfortable, I'm someone with chronic pain and I've seen people get mad when they go through all the work and expense to rent chairs that I can't sit in, and have to use my own.

like she said, everyone wants their own chairs anyway. if that's what works for everyone, then why try and go a expensive route that may just not be worth it just to avoid looking tacky & wanting to please certain people that may not really be possible to please in the first place?

I know you want to do all you can to please guests but different weddings & groups have different things that work for them. if this bride knows that her guests bringing their own chairs will work, then that's what she should do.

there's only so much you can do, we all have to decide where to draw the line.

Whoa. This thread got hopping since earlier this morning.

Kelsie, I hope you have a fantastic wedding surrounded by all the guests you chose to invite. Everyone's story is different, and since none of us know you IRL, for all we know, you and FH both come from very, very large Iowa farming families and your parents are local town council people with lots of invites from that. Please don't get discouraged by some of the responses in this thread that are straying from your original question - sometimes opinions get in the way of kindness and sound judgement.

Your wedding sounds like it is going to be an absolutely fantastic time, and I'm sure that everyone will really enjoy it - and I hope you do, too. Happy Planning

Some people will be annoyed with it but I always have lawn chairs in my trunk (2). I would rent a lot but still say in a fun way "If you have lawn chairs feel free to bring them!!"

I actually don't think 400 is crazy, my college roomate is Pakistani and her wedding was nearly 800 people. But, they did rent the chairs, tables and have several catering companies.

I would have no problem bringing my own chair for a backyard wedding with lawn games, etc

I think there's a lot of good advice here but remember to be respectful. Kelsie needs our help

Well - My two cents - I think an enclosure card specifying the type of wedding is a must. I would hate to show up in heels and a cute dress only to find out I could've worn a cute sundress and chuck taylors.

In regards to the chairs, I wouldn't be put out if I was asked (preferably by word of mouth).

And don't be put off by other peoples reactions to the guest list. My FH's family easily amounts to over 200 if we include all aunts, uncles, 1st cousins, significant others & any children related to the above mentioned people. He is one of 5 kids and we are the minority because we are just getting married and only plan on having 3 kids at most.

Have fun and if you can - post a picture of your backyard. It sounds amazing.

ETA: My spelling is awful today

I would expect to be told that for a cookout or family reunion, but not a wedding. Check around, you might be able to find a rental place that will give you a discount for bulk orders

Thanks WWLeeor.....some people can be so harsh with their comments.

If you were having a back yard holiday bbq I probably wouldn't mind brining my own chair but for a wedding, I'd expect seatnig.

Not sure if this has been covered or not because I am at work and don't have much time to read all the pages but maybe you could look into renting some benches or perhaps some bails of hay or something and then cover them with fabric or something.

I must have missed where it was 4 hours? Our daughters reception was, 2-12 and at 12 there was still 60 plus people dancing.