Picnic wedding?

Please get tables and chairs. No one wants to eat on the ground. You're guest deserve a chair and a table to sit at.

The pictures are cute, but the actual execution of the idea seems rough for me. I wouldn't be comfortable sitting on the ground in a dress for the ceremony and meal. I'd be with Margaret and have to break out a beach chair at some point or leave quite early.

Just to clarify some things.

This is a casual wedding. If people wear dresses to it, it shouldnt be some fancy restricted type dress. The most dressed people should be the wedding party and that is still semi casual. The ceremony doesnt take long and the reception is just lunch in the park. So like an hour or so tops?

It was just an idea and I do appreciate all of your opinions.

Now that the tables are available to me I will be using them and the chairs. Unless it rains before hand I am thinking of using the picnic blankets for the ceremony only since the ceremony doesnt take that long and it will save on having to move chairs from one area to another. Maybe I will sit up a few chairs for our parents and those who cant sit on a blanket for 15 mins

I vote for tables and chairs so your guests can be comfortable.

ETA: If you're providing chairs for the ceremony, I think you need to provide them for everyone. If you only provide chairs for your VIPs, wouldn't the rest of your guests have to stand behind them to be able to see the ceremony - since they won't be able to see if they're sitting on blankets behind the chairs?

Brandie, I think it could work out fine, however I really don't like the idea of people sitting on the ground for a ceremony unless your ceremony is 10 minutes or less. You will need to tell people to dress "casual" explicitly to avoid anyone being uncomfortable. Our wedding was casual and people still dressed like they were going to a more formal wedding. I know this is their choice, but I'm just trying to give you an idea of what we think will happen vs. what actually happens.

Do you have a rain plan? What if the ground is sopping wet?

Beautiful. But all I can think of is bugs.

While it looks cute and pinteresty, it's absolutely not practical. For female guests wearing a dress would be hard, and for older guests they probably couldn't sit like that at all.

I'm horribly allergic to grass, so I'd decline

Ther are lots of ways to produce a casual wedding but I don't think this is one of them honestly. It's just that nothing about it looks comfortable. And the food is problematic too.

I know, people have picnics all the time, but I just think the logistics are going to sprial out of contrtol......

OP, it doesnt matter if they are fancy dresses. I wouldnt want to sit on the ground in a sundress and wedge sandals either. And if I were attending your wedding, I would most certainly be wearing a dress. If you just put out blankets for the ceremony, I think you run the risk of a lot of people just standing clumped at the back, far away from you.

No.

It's not my style but if it fits your personalities, then go for it! I'm not sure how much the guests will appreciate not having a table and chairs. But you know your family / friends and their personalities so I'm sure you could determine that one. I do think this is a really cute and unique idea.

Tables and chairs please. just because something looks good in pictures, it doesn't always pan out that way.

It doesn't even have to rain for the ground to be wet where I live. Humidity and overnight dew can easily soak through a picnic blanket at 2 in the afternoon in a grassy, sunny spot. This is an impractical idea and an inappropriate way to host 50 guests.

I hate eating without a table. In fact, it makes my acid-reflux so bad that I can choke. This has happened before because I wasn't sitting up straight enough while eating.

You should be seated while eating and your food should be on a table.

You need chairs for your ceremony if you're having 50 guests.

I would be fine with it but it would be tough on elderly guests. Also, women wearing shorter dresses. Also, anyone with back or knee problems. And honestly, I think it would look like you were cheaping out (which you essentially are). I would take the free tables and chairs offered by your fmil.

I would suggest having at least the option of picnic style tables and benches