Tent wedding

My advise is to either hire staff who can move the chairs, or rent 2 sets. One caterer we spoke to indicated they’d be willing to move the chairs during cocktail hour, but the one we went with did not, as their servers would be busy tending bar and passing apps during that time. So, we rented 2 sets.

The alternative is having the chairs at the tables and the guests simply seated *there* for the ceremony but I know that’s not every bride’s ideal vision (it was, however, our back up plan in case of rain/bad weather)

For the weddings I've been to with the same ceremony/reception site they enlist the groomsmen or family members to move all the chairs. This is easier if they fold or stack. Also make sure you order 10% more chairs than you need, at the ceremony people tend to leave a seat between groups.

View Quoted Comment Thank you! I have some designated guests who have offered to help with anything but I just didn’t know how to get that worked out with bringing the chairs from ceremony site to under the tent at the tables. Total of guests is 105 but I ordered 115 chairs to accommodate the bridal party at reception as well.

I've been to two outdoor weddings where groomsmen or men in the family move them during cocktail hour. It really wasn't an issue. Groomsmen should be able to do it as long as the photos are done before the ceremony so they aren't rushed.

I know people will tell you to hire a crew/caterer to do it or rent two sets, but I really see no big deal with enlisting help. Most of my husbands friends would be more than willing, but maybe that's because I live in the south and it't pretty common here to want to help your friends.

We have to flip our venue.
So going from ceremony seating to dinner seating. I plan to enlist the help of groomsmen, ushers, dads, moms, aunts, cousins, myself. Throwing chairs and tables during family photos.

I will say it is important to consider geography — how close your ceremony is, how easy it is to move between. It’s a big different if we’re talking directly outside the tent versus somewhere farther or less accessible — with our ceremony on a beach, there was a hill and some rocks between the ceremony area and the tent area, so it would’ve been a serious schlep, as well as the most direct route would be right through the cocktail hour spot. Those factors made 2 sets a no-brainer, in addition to just wanting everyone to be able to relax and mingle and enjoy all the food and drinks we got for the occasion! We needed the groomsmen for photos during that time anyhow (and we didn’t have many ! So
could not have relied on only them)

Stackable chairs or a cart to move them on will help. I'm sure your friends and family won't mind helping 😊

I don't know what your theme is but is there any chance you could get like benches or hay bales for the ceremony that way you don't need to pay for more chairs or have the need to get the chairs moved??

I went to an outdoor wedding that sounds similar to yours. At the end of the ceremony, the officiant just asked everyone who is able to grab their chair and find a seat. This definitely won't work for everyone, especially if you're going for a more formal vibe, but wanted to throw it out there! I believe the groomsman/other family members grabbed any remaining chairs and helped out guests who weren't physically able to move their chairs.

View Quoted Comment I thought about that as well, it’s in October with a fall/rustic theme. I considered doing hay bale benches and leaving chairs under the tent.

View Quoted Comment Hay bales would look great for an October wedding! Maybe reach out to some farms around you. Sometimes farms will lend you the hay bales for free as long as they are returned in good condition!