Standing Ceremony???

This is a bad idea. Guests will be standing for longer than 20mins, most people arrive early and there is a high chance you will be running late. Also, how will you even know who "needs" a chair? There are many invisible disabilities that could impact one's ability to stand for long periods of time.

ETA: Also, standing in heels in grass/dirt is a pain in the ass.

We are also getting married in a public park. My mom suggested only VIPs needed a chair since it will be a short and nonreligious ceremony. I vetoed the crap out of that. It is courtesy to have a chair for every butt in my opinion.

I agree with BeachDreams. Bad idea. Plus standing in heels in grass is super uncomfortable.

Standing is not ok for a 20 minute ceremony. Will women be wearing heels? Because that would be really uncomfortable. It also seems like you would end up with a clump of people, most of whom won't really be able to see.

I don't think ceremony seating is the place to cut corners. 20 minutes is actually not that short when you're standing in place, plus it is typical for guests to show up within 30 minutes prior to the start time listed on invitations. That means your guests could be at the ceremony site standing around for 50 minutes, and that's definitely not okay.

If you make your ceremony super short- 15 minutes or less, I think standing would be doable. But also consider if it'll be standing on grass or a harder surface, because for guests wearing heels in grass would make me say it's not ok and you should get chairs.

I've been to park weddings that rented simple wood chairs for $5 pp. I'd look into a different rental company if it's too expensive. Every butt should have a chair

As beachdreams said, there’s invisible illnesses. I can’t stand for 20-30mimutes. To do so would lead to me falling and injuring myself.

Every butt needs a seat. Not even standing for 15 minuets is acceptable.

That is a long time to stand. I agree, get chairs.

Do you have seating for the reception? Is the reception nearby? Can you hire a few teenage boys to move the chairs?

Not cool. I'd be annoyed if I adjusted my schedule, got dolled up (heels included), arrived early, and had to stand.

I went to a ceremony that had everybody standing around the couple in the hot sun. It was kind of miserable. And that was when I was 20 and in great shape.

Does the park have a shelter house nearby with picnic tables? It isn't the fanciest option, but it is better than asking your guests to stand.

We had a standing ceremony. It was 15 min, everyone was aware they would be standing ahead of time. Very small wedding though, 10 people including us.

You need chairs for the comfort of your guests. What if someone arrives early?

First of all, how do you expect people to see??? Short people will be viewing the backs of people. What about women wearing heels? What about the fact that I'm 25, have no illnesses, and even I wouldn't be comfortable standing for 20 minutes? No. No. No.

Get chairs. It's literally something a host MUST provide.

I went to a standing ceremony and it was awkward. There wasn't an aisle, people just circled the bride and groom for a good spot. It was a nice, intimate feel but still awkward.

I think if you buy chairs you will be much happier. You won't have tons of people in the background of your photos. There was not ONE photo of the bride and groom without someone in the background because people crowded in a circle around them.

Seats are important.. I would be mad if I had to stand for very long and I'm young.

Butts = seats

I had a small, mostly standing ceremony that was about 15 minutes in a public park. We announced in advance to those attending that seating would be limited due to venue restrictions, and asked who needed seats. We borrowed chairs for the elderly/disabled. We had hard floors though. Agree that if it's on grass/dirt, you'll want seats for everyone because of the sinking problem and potential for mud.

You can usually rent chairs for a fairly inexpensive price. That's the one thing you probably NEED to have in your budget no matter how tiny it may be.