Standing Ceremony???

Here is my dad and me walking out of the building, to give an idea of how close the parking lot is and how the deck had seating (not all of which was used).

Another view from when I was debating the venue - as you can see the deck is quite large so it could fit quite a few chairs, and was already outfitted with taller tables and chairs for maybe 20 or 30 people.

Tiered seating. There's a novelty!

I would decline an invite to this. With my dysautonomia (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) and EDS, standing for 20mins. is incredibly risky and dangerous.

My health comes first and there's no reason to risk my heart stopping for a wedding.

And besides my personal bias, just...tiered seating...TIERED SEATING...that's just a ridiculous idea...

All it takes is that one person with their knees locked. Or that one person with an undetected invisible illness. And then it's, "Hey, remember that x's wedding without chairs and then the ambulance came?"

ETA: If you're looking to make cuts to be budget conscious, chairs are not where you look.

Jay, holy shit! I have dysautonomia, and EDS too!

I use a walker, I can't stand for long periods of time. I can't even stand for MY own ceremony.

I'm not putting my health at risk to stand at someone's wedding so they can save money. I'd end up being the person that needs the ambulance, either when I pass out or my damn SI joint slips and I fall.

@HisBeauty, liking that out of solidarity, lol.

Small world!

I went to one standing, backyard wedding. It was a super short ceremony, but I was still wearing killer heels and was slightly uncomfortable standing on a deck for even just the 15 min.

Jay, very small world! I liked yours out of solidarity too! I was like another potsie! lol

@Melanie I love the idea for your ceremony- having the ceremony in the middle of a cocktail party type thing. I might use that. I've been to ceremonies similar in New Orleans as well.

People can be so dour. I've never heard of anyone declining an invite to a wedding because there's a second line. You're not forced to participate if you are not able, but most people who are find it celebratory and fun.

AQuixotic, so because I wouldn't stand, which would mean I would decline the invitation, I'm dour?

I don't even know what a second line is...

Rent chairs, like Muriel said hire some teens to set up the chairs

@HisBeauty - I was commenting on the dourness of declining a wedding invite because of a second line, which is a fun thing, even just to watch. Short explanation, a second line is a parade traditional in New Orleans. It's often done at funerals and during holidays, but also a tradition for celebratory events like weddings. The parade is led by a brass band down the street, participants (in this case the wedding party and guests led by the bride, groom, and band) dance with the music and traditionally wave handkerchiefs and onlookers are welcome to join in the parade, which they often do.

ETA: wasn't trying to be rude. Sorry if it came off that way!

Ahh ok, thank you for explaining. I've never heard of that before.

I officiate many sunset (when it's not terribly hot) weddings on the beach. The majority are small groups without chairs. The guests gather in a semi-circle behind the couple. But, my ceremonies are usually in the 10-minutes range. The only time (in over 1600 ceremonies) that someone fainted, there were chairs and it was a young woman who was dehydrated.

I dont see anything wrong with not having chairs for such a short ceremony. why rent a bunch of chairs when you dont need to

Why am I not surprised that some people are ok with this?

This is all part of proper hosting. It is not your call as to whether someone deserves a seat or not. All guests deserve a seat. Looks like @Del found you a great affordable option.

Melissa, there are actually people that CANT stand for long, even short amount of time. Please see comments above you where it’s stated by another user why they can’t stand..

Wendy makes a good point, personally If I saw a “reserved for Soso” sign on a chair, but not everyone gets a seat, I’d definitely side eye.

It's not 'dour' to expect a seat for a ceremony.

Your 'short' ceremony will probably require standing for about 20 minutes longer than the actual ceremony if you count the processional and recesssional ang gathering. Mine, this morning, was exactly 40 minutes for a 22 minute ceremony.

I would agree with the majority here. We went to a wedding a few years ago that was a standing ceremony. It was in grass in the hot sun at 2pm and I had heels on with no knowledge of the fact that we would be standing. Even with not having any health issues that make it difficult to stand it was uncomfortable. Plus, there was no way everyone could see or hear what was going on. It was not memorable in a good way. Good luck!

I am going to have the chairs at the ceremony and move them to the reception i decided

Rica, it’s fine you wouldn’t care, but as someone that physically can’t stand for 20-30 minutes I wouldn’t know what to do. I risk injury if I attempt to stand that long.

My mom has had two knee replacements, it would be uncomfortable and painful to stand in one place for that long. My dad has back issues, he can’t stand in one place for 20-30mimutes.