Benches for Ceremony?

Ask your caterer. They may know of a rental place that you haven't checked? As for hay bales, check in more rural areas around you. but if you get hay bales, I would recommend getting something to cover them as well. Some of your guests may wear shorter dresses and hay bales just aren't comfortable to sit on with bare back of the legs or (eek) pantyhose, which will run when caught on stray hay sticking out.

Thanks! I'll definitely cover the bales if I end up using them!

Rustic weddings seem to be really itchy -- I've read the same comments about using burlap for chair sashes and place mats.

We have a catering tasting coming up so I'll talk to her and see if she knows of anywhere good!

We are having a rustic outdoor ceremony as well. You first may want to check with your reception site...a lot of places have connections with renters and will give a discount, so it never hurts to ask there. Also, I am in Nashville and I was researching benches and pews and I have found that they seem to be just as expensive as chairs. Nuts, I know!! I have found that the hay bales have been the cheapest. You can get them from a local pumpkin patch, farm supply store, or feed store.

We are on a tight budget with out entire wedding but I am finding that sometimes we are just having to bite the bullet and spend a lil more somewhere and cut back somewhere else just so we can get the look of photos that we are wanting in the end.

Good Luck!!

Thanks for the reply! I'll talk to FH and see what the verdict on hay bales is. If benches are going to be as expensive, we'll probably end up going with the garden chairs. I'm sure they'll be more comfortable.

All I know about hay bales is that sometimes snakes live in them and don't come out until you jostle them. My father got one to put all over our garden once and even though it sat outside overnight, the snake came out when he was holding the hay and tossing handfuls onto the garden. Sorry....

You could try flea markets, garage sales, antique stores, etc and have some cool wooden unmatched benches and chairs...like a chabby chic thing. David Tutera did that once and it looked gorgeous.

I'm having a rustic wedding. Our venue has hay bale rentals for 5 dollars each, so I'm thinking I will go with that. They are cheaper than the chairs and cute. Plus my ceremony won't be real long so I'm not too worried about it being too uncomfortable

1. Straw bales are cheaper than hay and look the same.

2. If you go with straw/hay bales, get regular chairs for elderly family. The bales will be hard for them to sit on and get up out of.

I searched high and low for benches or pews when I thought about getting married on the beach in NJ and found none. Metal bleachers, like you said. Couldn't even find picnic benches.

This is the closest thing I found, but it's DIY and you're having many more guests than I am. Might be helpful for someone though.

http://www.amazon.com/2x4basics-90140-AnySize-Table-Bench/dp/B000BDG7UI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1342019476&sr=8-1&keywords=diy+bench

Another great options is blankets on the ground with a few benches, can be rustic and comfortable, while keeping on budget. Farm benches rent for $30 each and can be repurposed later in the event. Hay bails can be difficult to move/transport and can be quite expensive depending on the location.

Try knot just furniture.com for rustic wood benches, wooden farm tables and wood prop display crates 215-843-0313 in pennsylvania http://knotjustfurniture.me/

Hi - I just got married in southeastern Wisconsin this summer and after looking high and low for wedding pew rentals (without success) I ended up purchasing pews from a local church that was remodeling. I am actually looking to rent the pews I purchased if you are interested! Church pews are such an elegant seating option that makes a lasting impression and brings a touch of tradition to an outdoor ceremony. I have solid wood (painted white) pews that seat up to 115 guests. Pews are in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin but can be delivered anywhere in the surrounging area (chicago, milwaukee, etc.) Please visit the link below for pictures and email *******************@*****.*** for additional information! If these pews don't work for your event - best of luck with your search!!

https://picasaweb.google.com/104881268746485514349/ChurchPewsForWeddingRental#

Alyssa - I'd love to chat with you about your white benches for renting this summer. My ceremony is on 7/26 at the Amercian Swedish Institute this summer.

@ Alyssa

I'd love to chat about your benches too! Are they still up for rent or sale?