Seating for an outdoor wedding--need advice

If it’s up a “super steep hill” that seems really rude that you’d consider asking your guests to bring their own chairs. Even if it was flat, I’d be really put off if I was invited to a wedding and told I had to bring my own chair.

I don't think it's the best idea to ask your guests to bring their own chairs, haul them 100 yards one way and then haul them 100 the other way.

What does the $1,000 need to cover? That can't be the entire budget for your wedding.

I can understand having a limited budget, but asking guests to bring their own chair is... not ideal. What if someone doesn't remember their chair? Or they don't have a chair that is convenient to bring along? Will they then be without a seat for the whole night?

I'm sorry, but you need to supply chairs. It is not okay to ask your guests to bring them. They could physically not be able to carry them, they might forget one, etc. They don't have to be pretty chairs, but you need to supply them and move them yourself (ie, hire someone to do it).

I agree with LB. Also, what is back up plan for rain? what if its too hot?

Bring your own chair? that's a new one. please rent chairs for all your guests to sit on.

I think you can rent chairs from $1.25 to $2.50 per chair. What seating are you using for the ceremony? I assume they are not removeable, and hence you can not utilize them for the ceremomy. I would do hay bales instead of asking people to bring their own chairs if you really need to reduce costs.

Please don’t use hay. If anyone we knew did this, we’d have to leave immediately due to H’s severe allergy. You need to figure out a way to either a. Rent separate chairs for the ceremony b. Hire someone to move reception seating to ceremony and then back or c. Have the ceremony is the same space as the reception. Guests shouldn’t be supplying their own chairs for your ceremony, no matter how casual it is.

Don't use hay. That looks so uncomfortable. Would they have to carry their hay bails to the reception?

Please no hay. I’m very allergic and it’s a very common allergy. Your wedding would make me break into hives. Not to mention it’s itchy and uncomfortable. Anyone with any sort of back issue is going to have problems.

You really need to provide chairs for your guests and please for the love of all things good and holy do NOT do hay bales as another PP suggested. I would also consider providing chairs for the reception as well. Older people, anyone with back or hip issues, and anyone wearing a dress will not be comfortable on a picnic bench. I trust you have a solid back-up plan for rain or severe weather (heat)?

Please do not ask your guest to bring there own chairs

View Quoted Comment Yes, this will cover the entire wedding. Our biggest expenses are food and rings. Most things have been from thrift stores/handmade.

How many guests? What type of catering are you serving?

I made a mistake in my original post. It's 100 FEET, Not yards

Additionally, please let me know your ideas WITHOUT attacking other posting members' ideas.

View Quoted Comment 50 guests, and we are having picnic food made by our families.

View Quoted Comment

Where did someone attack someone else's ideas? If you're referring to people telling you the hay idea is not a good one I don't see how that is attacking... They were bringing up a valid point that A LOT of people are allergic to hay.

I would suggest to look into catering. Do you really want your families to eb scrambling around serving people and keeping food to temp?

What foods were they planning to make?

Here's an unpopular opinion - Since it sounds like you are having a more casual wedding with picnic food and tables - I would make the ceremony short and just ask people to stand. I would rent a few folding chairs for your elderly folks, pregnant and disabled people and throw in a couple extra in case you forgot someone. Let them sit and all healthy people can suck it up and stand for ten minutes. Have a good friend or willing family member be in charge of the setup/teardown of chairs. I've been to a couple weddings (one casual and one very fancy) that did this and it was fine - because it was short and sweet and there were chairs for those who really needed it.

Also I assume with a smaller budget you won't have a speaker/microphone for the ceremony - so it will be hard for guests to hear - so the standing people can crowd around you guys and make it more intimate. Could be kinda nice.

And yes make sure you have a rain plan! Good Luck!