Is it the worst thing in the world to have guests stand during your ceremony?

My sister (moh) thinks we should have the guests stand. Ine if my moms cousins did this and she thought it was just fine and that $650 for chair rentals is a waste. Personally, I couldn't do it though. Even my mega cheap fh agrees we have to spring for chairs! lol

We are planning to do a standing ceremony, too, in our yard. Our land is really slope-y, so it would be hard to have any chairs stay upright, which is another reason why we're not doing a tent reception at home. We're only having family and a few close friends for the ceremony, which will be 10 minutes tops. We will have chairs for the elders, though.

I have been to one wedding where I stood for the ceremony. There were about 75 guests, and the bride's father officiated. We all walked into the venue, and we were seated at tables, and then he walked to the front (a gorgeous stone fireplace), and asked us to take the candle at our spots and light it (matches provided), and gather around the bride and groom after they walked out, surrounding them with love - and candlelight, it was a winter wedding and they turned out all the lights, so just the candlelight illuminated them. Most sweet, romantic wedding ever. But the ceremony was 10 minutes tops, and there were less than half the people you have...so logistically it was very doable.

I would offer at least 1/4 of the guest list chairs and standing room in the back for the younger people.

My old boss had her wedding at an old jazz club turned into restaurant. They had an enclosed garden around the side and we all stood for the very brief ceremony. I didn't mind. But I wasn't a 70 year old lady, so that's why I say to offer some chairs. Lol. Then we went inside and sat at the tables for the reception. So I think it can work in most cases. I've never seen it done for larger weddings. That's A LOT of people standing in one room. But keep shopping around for chairs and negotiate prices. Try and get some chairs, but I don't think you need to get all chairs since it is a short ceremony.

ETA: That yes, I also could not see the couple at all because I was in the middle. So with only about 5 people in front of me, I couldn't see. 170 people will be an issue. Good luck!

Sorry, you need chairs. That's way too many people. Nobody would be able to see!

I stood at one ceremony I went to last Summer (there weren't enough chairs for everyone). I was NOT happy about it. It was outdoor, hot as hell out and I had to stand in the sun, sweat drops running down my back. Eff that.

Yeah, I would be highly annoyed. Get chairs or cut your guest list

Coming from a bride that did not have chairs, my wedding was outside at a park overlooking Lake Erie and i did not have chairs, everyone stood my ceremony including entrance was 10-15 minutes tops, i wrote it from beginning to end. I made sure that i posted on my wedding website that there would not be any chairs. I did not have any complaints.

@MrsGonzales - No one is going to tell you they think you're inconsiderate for not having chairs. I wouldn't dare say something to the friend of mine that got married last Summer that didn't have enough chairs for the ceremony. I'll bet she thought it was gross when I hugged her after the ceremony and I had sweated through the back of my dress. I wonder if she ever made the connection? But, hell no, I would never say something to her.

I stood at a wedding once. There were about 20 seats for elderly folks, and then we stood behind those rows in a half moon. Only 25 people or so stood, and the ceremony was super short. I didn't mind. 170 is a lot of people though. No one past the 5th row or so is going to see or hear anything.

It's really not a big deal for people that do not have any issues to prevent them from standing for a short period of time.

I mean, its funny, some of us can stand up for the length of a concert for our favorite artist, or we stand in line at the best ride an an amusement park or what have you. But those same people will have a serious problem standing for your ceremony. That is just how people are. We complain all the time.

But, in my opinion I think you should do seats if affordable. Even if its folding chairs. They do not have to be chavari.

If its not affordable or space does not allow it then people who really want to be there and don't care about the little things will be there for your day.

I think I will end up renting all 170 chairs (yeah, I'm just getting black samsonite chairs...wutevs), put up as many as will fit, and if I can't get them all then some people in the back may have to stand. And who knows, they might see/hear better this way anyway.

I also seriously doubt all 170 people will come, and that will definitely help too!

My opinion, you need chairs. My parents wedding the officiant forgot to tell the guests to sit down after my mom's wife walked down the aisle so we stood the whole ceremony. It wasn't the worst experience in the world but everyone agreed that it would have been better if we were sitting.

Terrible idea. Change your venue or cut your guest list. From what it sounds like the guest list should be cut.

I'm 5'4". Anything that requires me to stand pretty much guarantees I'm not going to see anything. I'd hate it. Not to mention elderly, disabled, etc. that need to sit.

If it is outdoors, I do not see a problem having people standing. I am having an outdoors wedding. I will be providing some chairs for the elders and disable guest. Younger people should not have problems standing. It also depends on your guest. My guest do not have a problem standing, we stand all the time at clubs and parties. 20 minutes will not hurt anyone. Think about it you, the groom, and the wedding party is standing. Just make sure you have someone to tell them not to block anyone view. Now if the wedding is indoors then yes it may be a problem due to not being able to see. Just my opinion.....

It's not the standing i Ind, it's the not being able to see. I'm short. I would be annoyed if I couldn't see the ceremony. Please reconsider...can you rent from a cheaper place? Or use the reception chairs if both are at the same venue?

Dude, this is why you do your guest list FIRST. You cannot make half the people stand. Cut your guest list or change your venue. Make accommodations for your guests.

ETA: I am 5'2" and have an invisible disability. I would be pissed. I cannot be the only short person that has problems standing for 20 min at a time either.

If it was 10 people then that would be ok, but 170 people no.

Yeah this is a no go. idk where you are but September is HOT in alabama and i cant stand still for a long period of time without feeling sick.