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FutureMrsW
Dedicated October 2016

Is it really that big a deal? Seating Issues...

FutureMrsW, on February 12, 2016 at 10:07 PM

Posted in Etiquette and Advice 48

Long story short: booked our venue months ago, they claimed they could fit 100 for the ceremony but I found out today that's STANDING. Seated is more like 30-55 (with 55 maxed out meaning NO room for standing). Our headcount is coming close to 80. Ceremony & Reception are at the same venue. Good...

Long story short: booked our venue months ago, they claimed they could fit 100 for the ceremony but I found out today that's STANDING. Seated is more like 30-55 (with 55 maxed out meaning NO room for standing). Our headcount is coming close to 80. Ceremony & Reception are at the same venue.

Good news? I haven't sent invites out yet. Bad News? The entire internet is making this seem like the biggest faux pas ever. I posted on another forum and got comments like "that's the rudest thing ever" and that I shouldn't have booked a venue under headcount. But holy cow, I DIDN'T KNOW. So now what do I do? I'm thinking an insert with our invites that tells people it's a standing ceremony and seats are limited with an email address they can contact to book seats. I just want to know, IS IT REALLY THAT BIG A DEAL?!? Our ceremony will be 20 mins tops (we are not religious, just vows, exchange rings, kiss, DONE). What do you guys think? Ideas? Will I be hated forever?

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48 Comments

  • FutureMrsW
    Dedicated October 2016
    FutureMrsW ·
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    I didn't even realize Brix is here on WW! It really is a beautiful venue, I'm just going to have to make it work because I think it's worth it...

    This is what the courtyard looks like normally when the restaurant is serving dinner. How can you not fall in love?


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  • Alyssa
    Dedicated May 2016
    Alyssa ·
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    I went to a wedding where the officiant forgot to tell us to sit so we stood during the whole thing even with chairs. Have chairs for those who can't stand but do put on your wedding website that it is a standing ceremony. People will be fine.

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  • Becoming A Mrs!
    VIP August 2016
    Becoming A Mrs! ·
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    I don't mean this to be rude at all, but didn't you notice when you looked at the venue that there is no way to fit 80 seats, if they max out at 30??

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  • Celia Milton
    Celia Milton ·
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    What happens if it rains? Are you inside?

    Then do it inside.

    Twenty minutes of standing is more like 40ish minutes.

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  • FutureMrsW
    Dedicated October 2016
    FutureMrsW ·
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    No it really isn't that obvious. If you read my replies before you will see that the confusion came because the venue stated THEIR chairs only can fit 30 seats. You have to realize that they have big bulky chairs. Besides, I never once indicated I would ever have all 80 people seated. To me, 50 seats and 20 people standing (10 people will be us and the wedding party which will stand) is a fair enough ratio. I only grew concerned once I realized that I cannot even have the 50 people seated because there would be no room for the 20 people to stand.

    Anyways, I think the scenario has resolved itself. We have cut down the list so that we have 30 people seated and 20 people standing. I clearly indicate the standing ceremony in the invitations.

    The venue is INSIDE. We live in rainy Vancouver, I would never risk an outdoor wedding! Waaaayyyy too stressful. Haha

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  • Private User
    Expert September 2016
    Private User ·
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    This is an unfortunate thing that happened to you, but I'm not going to lie: I'm in perfect health, and would not want to stand in my heels for 20 minutes. Not having a seat doesn't just mean you can't sit...am I holding my purse and coat this whole time?

    I'd live, though lol.

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  • Brandy Blackford
    Brandy Blackford ·
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    I haven't read all of the comments, but would bench style seating get you more seats?

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  • FutureMrsW
    Dedicated October 2016
    FutureMrsW ·
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    Oh bench style would be amazing! But from what I gather, a chair in vancouver rents for $4.50 each... a bench would run me about $12 each.... AND the kicker is, the venue won't let us keep them past the ceremony. The lady basically said I have to have the rental company pick them up right after the ceremony because there is no where to keep them. Amazing huh?

    Vancouver is rip-off city, and as horrible as this venue is, they are actually good in all other aspects like not charging us cake cutting fees, allowing us to bring our own dessert spread (and they'll set it up for us too!), a minimum spend that includes alcohol, free items you can borrow like table numbers, no extra costs for linens or table ware and they will even help you print menus for free with your logo! *Sigh*

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