Wedding Ceremony while guests are sitting at the tables

I am doing this...

It isn't a very big room and I didn't want to cause more fuss than needed (FH gets so mad at me for being like that). We will have the tables with the tablecloths and center pieces.

After the ceremony, everyone will be dismissed so the staff can bring in place settings

I attended a wedding that was like that. It was nice. The part that was not so nice was the wait after the ceremony before the reception. The bride, groom, and family left the venue to take pictures. We had nothing to do. There was no cocktail hour. We just continued to sit at the table. My sisters and I ended up walking outside to take pictures with each other.

I think this is awesome, and if I had thought about it before I booked my "typical" venue, I would have seriously considered it! Just be mindful of making sure centerpieces aren't too tall (so every can see), if you do a seating chart, don't put people's back to the aisle who may have a difficult time turning and looking for that long (elderly guests), just some logical stuff like that.

Like Precious mentioned, though, make sure you have some drinks and eats available while you and your new hubby take pics.

Our wedding is like this. Honestly I'm not 100% sold on the idea but the benefits of the venue WELL outweighed the negatives. I'll let you know how it goes in 18 days...

We considered this, but ultimately decided against it. I think as long as you get them up and moving between ceremony and reception it'll be fine. If not it's a LONG time to be sitting so that would be annoying.

I went to a wedding like this, after the ceremony, there was a cocktail hour while photos were done but it was boring. Once dinner started and then he dancing it was ok but that 1.5 hours between was long.

Thank you for this question. It is something I have been considering myself. We are having pictures done before so I think this will be perfect. I was a little uncomfortable with the idea but seeing that besides wait people have had positive experiences it is great. Thank you again.

Our venue has an outdoor space (really just the front lawn, but it's on the ocean). However, if it rains, the back up ceremony space is the room and they do exactly this. Basically, almost all of the tables are set up and guests sit at them. They only remove the sweatheart table and sometimes another table or two and set up just a few chairs. It's not ideal and I'd rather get married outside, but it is definitely an acceptable back up for me.

I am doing this at my wedding. People will take their seats and the ceremony will last half an hour. Then it will be the cocktail party for like 40 minutes while we take photos. After, we're having toasts, the dances, and dinner. I've been to weddings where people sit at the tables while a ceremony takes place on the dance floor. I had no problems as a guest, so I'm sure it'll work out for everyone. If anything, it's simpler than trying to coordinate outdoor ceremonies.

Ours is in the same place. we are getting married in the middle of the dance floor. the onky thing that we will have to move is the arch. we have been to 2 weddings like this and they are just as beautiful as ones that are in seperate places.

Thank you for the response ladies. It is something I am definitely considering since I don't want to rent an additional room to set up and clean up. It would be very convenient since we won't have plates and utensils at the table because were having a buffet. I'll have my centerpieces which are simple (mason jars, flowers and candles) on the table and the programs probably on the table too.

My venue has this "stage" area, it's really not a stage but it is three steps higher and thought about having my "dance floor" there. It is an outdoors wedding but I don't need to rent a dance floor which is nice! Anyway everyone will be facing the "stage" during the ceremony. I'm thinking of maybe putting a couple chairs out for the immediate family to sit in - including our two boys.

Or maybe after, bring everyone out and have them blow bubbles while we walk out, take some photos there with the guests while they turn over the space but I don't know how long that would take and because our venue is different we would have to do all the work. Ahh it's such a pain to decide what to do!