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Dedicated June 2018

Ceremony considerations for stone bench seating?

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Luckybride, on December 20, 2017 at 12:23 AM

Posted in Planning 30

Found a new venue that I'm really excited about! The building is a nicely renovated historic type structure and via the walkout basement there is a nicely sized amphitheater space. The ceremony would take place there, cocktail hour at the ground floor patio and inside the building for dinner.

Overall I'm very happy with it all, but the amphitheater set-up has me wondering about the ceremony. The seating for the cermenony will be the cement amphitheater benches. How long do you think the ceremony should be considering the less than comfortable seating? I wasn't leaning towards a lengthy ceremony or anything, but what should I aim for? Also, what else should I consider due to this arrangement? Walking down in my heels will be a bit more of a task. I don't plan on wearing a dress with a long train and I may even do tea length.

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30 Comments

VIP November 2017
Meaghan · on December 20, 2017 at 2:50 PM
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Even with a 10 minute ceremony your guests are going to be sitting on those stone steps for at least 20-30 minutes, that's enough time for your guests to be uncomfortable. I know it seems like a hassle but I do think cushions are your best bet. I would personally rather deal with some hassle of cushions then have a guest be uncomfortable while watching the ceremony.
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Super June 2018
FutureMrs.V · on December 20, 2017 at 2:53 PM
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Cushions are so easy to sew. You could make some that are just really large almost like a body pillow.
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Dedicated June 2018
Luckybride · on December 20, 2017 at 2:57 PM
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Processional and recessional should be very short as there will not be a bridal party, just my two kids flower girl/ring bearer. I will have reserved spots for parents/grandparents, but they won't be part of the processional. The ceremony itself will be brief, non-religious and no unity, sand or hand-fasting. I may have one reading, haven't decided yet.
I plan on doing a hospitality/ cocktail (1/2)hour before the ceremony, just upstairs from the ceremony location. So guests can hang out up there until a few minutes before the ceremony. There will be way more seating than guests so I don't anticipate any rush to claim seats or anything.
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Super January 2019
Sunshine · on December 20, 2017 at 3:13 PM
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"Should" being the operative word. The kids could have a meltdown that takes 10 minutes to fix before the processional even starts, the reader could stumble along and take twice as long as the reading suggests, people might take longer to get seated since you're attempting to communicate the every other row thing. Have you talked to a DOC or your officiant about these plans?
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Dedicated June 2018
Luckybride · on December 20, 2017 at 3:41 PM
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This isn't an extravagant wedding. Likely around 30 guests. Its a second marriage for both of us, mostly family in attendance and I'm just not all that worried about it. No DOC, I will be DIYing some if it as I will have the venue the entire day. If guests end up not realizing the rose petals are there to designate seating, oh well. The ceremony will be planned as short as possible. There are a million things that could go wrong. I can't have a contingency for every possible hiccup. As far as the discomfort of benches, I dine in restaurants that have non-padded wooden benches and metal chairs. While I wouldn't describe them as comfortable, I manage to survive through a meal no problem.
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Dedicated March 2018
Ashley · on December 20, 2017 at 9:04 PM
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Those seats are also really low. Even my 63 year old dad couldnt sit that low comfortably for more than 5 minutes. Also, what do you plan on doing for guests that cannot safely walk down steps without a railing?
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Dedicated March 2018
Ashley · on December 20, 2017 at 9:06 PM
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Also, what is your rain/weather back up plan?
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Super May 2018
Josh & Justine · on December 20, 2017 at 9:30 PM
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This is our ceremony venue. The ceremony will be 30 minutes and we’re renting chair cushions for the guests. I was on the fence about it, but FH was adamant about his grandmother not having to sit on a stone bench for half an hour, and I completely agree now.
The vendor we’re renting them from will deliver them before the ceremony, our DOC is arranging them with our directions (Reserved cards for first row, programs/bubbles on each, etc) then she’ll manage the vendor pick-up after the ceremony.
It’s really not a difficult or inconvenient thing at all, and our rental company is only charging $1/cushion.
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Expert June 2018
Newnoakua · on December 20, 2017 at 9:59 PM
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I would have some seating options up top for mobile and back issues. Otherwise, for a short ceremony, I don’t think it will be fine without cushions. Flowers or something should help distinguish every other row to avoid the foot to back issue. All the park weddings I’ve been too had backless benches and there weren’t issues as long as there were some optics for those who really needed them
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Dedicated June 2018
Luckybride · on December 20, 2017 at 10:54 PM
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For those who cannot manage the stairs or benches, there will be chairs along the railing at the top. The reception will be indoors, set up on one floor and there's the lowest level which could be used as an alternate location in the event of rain.

I will look into renting cushions, but I'm skeptical that such things are offered here, who knows. I'm definitely not purchasing or constructing cushions.
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