Outside wedding in a park, chairs or standing only?

Chairs. If your gonna do the outside thing, I think its a must. Seems stupid to waste your money and time on chairs, but you dont have a a stage where ppl can see you, which means 90% of your guests will not see the ceremony and its hot in the summer so they will have to stand and be tired and uncomfortable..and the chaos...its hard to keep that aisle and man its a mess. Chairs are worth it

I too would do chairs. And what a beautiful park area. Where is this at?

Chairs!!! that's such a pretty location!!! Maybe you can entrust a friend or family member to set up and break down???

Duh, just saw the link for Portland area.

I am hoping to get the Shakespeare garden in Portland Rose Garden, but I am not sure I'll get it. Its the only weekend in June that its open, due to the Portland Rose Festival, and I can't even apply for the permit until January 3rd. I am going prepared with 4 alternative options though, so I know I'll get something I like.

Portland has fantastic parks. Just got to hope for no rain, it can rain here at any time lol. I already have a contingency plan if that should happen though, so I am covered.

As with everyone else, I agree that chairs for everyone will be the best idea. I hope you get a spot that allows enough! Friends and family members are usually more than ok with helping out on various items during the wedding day, all you have to do is ask! As long as someone is not doing everything for you, they will not be put out. I recommend looking into a day of wedding coordinator to take care of the wedding day details, but if that is outside of your budget, i suggest you write up everything that is needed to be done and who you designated to do each item. Give this list to your Maid of Honor, Best Man or a close friend prior to the wedding so they can ensure everything gets done.

Well I have confirmed this venue doesn't even allow chairs, nor do many of the parks in Portland. I can get up to 12 for the people that "need" it.

Just as well we were planning on a quick ceremony. I am starting to doubt my venue choice now. At least I haven't booked it yet. I really want an outside ceremony though, and the FH and I love the Portland parks, we spend a lot of time together in them.

Argh... I'll sort something out.

Maybe I can provide a box of flip flops, so people don't have to stand on the grass in their heels - lol

http://pics.boards.weddingbee.com/68464.flipflops.jpg

I have been to two weddings where we had to stand. One was in a small room indoors, the other was in a park. It was fine. Not a big deal at all. The only thing I definitely suggest is that your officiant have speakers and mics set up so that people can actually hear what is going on. The one that we went to that was outside was bad because all I could do was watch two people stand on a stage and see their lips moving. I had no idea what was being said. But the standing didn't seem to bother anyone. Especially since it wasn't a long ceremony...heck, I've stood in grocery and concert ticket lines longer than that!

Definately chairs! I went to a backyard wedding once and their was no chairs, and it was a little unfortunate, and it sucked standing in one spot for so long while wearing heels because you sunk into the ground

Chairs please, not only for those who cant stand but the shorties like me who want be able to see over tall people.