Standing ceremony?

No it is not okay for you to have your guests stand. Just because the ceremony itself is only 20 minutes does not mean that is the only amount of time people will be standing. Most people like to arrive as early as 30 minutes before the ceremony - meaning they will be standing for close to an hour - or longer on the off chance that things might end up runnning behind . It does not matter if you are eldery or infirm that can be uncomfortable for anyone - especially depending on the type of terrain it is.

You need to provide a seat for every butt.

Also I forgot to add the ground is not turf, it’s in a courtyard.

I'm very used to attending weddings where people stand and I rarely hear people complain. It's custom in Greece to have weddings where people stand, and their weddings last anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour.

If you ask me personally, 20 to 30 minutes is very doable and not a bother, at all. Most people will disagree but I think it's because the expectation is to have chairs available.

View Quoted Comment Thanks I thought everyone would be leery of this idea lol. I am also having a Hindu ceremony and THAT will be a test of endurance lol. Even though it’s seated it’s like 5 hours long.

My niece had her wedding 2 years ago and it was a standing wedding. She provides chairs for those with disabilities or elderly people. It was a 20 min service and no one complained. I think you'll be ok.

It depends on the weather. If it's comfortable temperature, then maybe. But if it's hot or rainy, etc., then you should definitely have seats.

I think I would find it odd if I went to a wedding and there were no seats. Perhaps you can select different seating options such as benches? This might give you the more intimate feel you are hoping for your guests.

View Quoted Comment

Oh yeah, 5 hours is a different story! lol but you should be fine with a 20 minute ceremony. I'm so used to standing at these types of events. Again, it's really no issue at all but people will find reasons to complain regardless.

My wedding is in going to be in a National Park where they don't allow seating so standing is the only option. Like you, my ceremony will be very short and everyone that is attending the wedding is very capable of standing that long. I was leery of it at first, but attendees have said they are more than thrilled to stand if it means supporting me on my wedding day❤

IMO, every butt should have a chair for ceremony and reception. No exceptions. Sure, people will survive without, but I'd personally think someone was cheap and didn't care about their guests if I went to a wedding and they didn't supply seating.

Would I survive? Yeah. Would I complain in front of other people? No. Would I be happy with no chair? No. I get to weddings at least 15 minutes early which means I’d most like be standing for 40+ minutes by the time cocktail hour begins. I have some mild back and knee issues. Nothing I can’t stand through and no one but my husband and my parents know about it, but it would probably mean I couldn’t dance much at your wedding if I had already spent almost a whole hour on my feet before the reception began.

Take it from me, a Louisiana native. You need chairs. You're getting married in an outdoor courtyard at the end of May in New Orleans. You. Need. Chairs.

Of course no one will complain about standing to the bride and groom. When they get home and take off their shoes, that's when the expletives will show themselves.

View Quoted Comment

But people will be standing much longer than the 20-30 minutes of the ceremony. Some people will arive 10 minutes early, some 15, some 20 - some even a whole 30 minutes depending on their situation and who they are. This, coupled with the unknown variables - like starting late for one reason or another makes its a bad idea.

Plus its just not considerate to your guests. If the wedding is outside - which it sounds like it is - this could be very uncomfortable depending on the sun beating on them or if the humidity is high. Even as a healthy guest - standing in heels for an extended period of time - even twenty minutes - is very uncomfortable and would make me fidgety once the acutal ceremony gets going. The last thing a couple wants is family and friends with their minds wandering wondering how long until they can go sit.

View Quoted Comment OP's wedding is at the end of May.

It will be humid. You run the risk of people passing out in that kind of heat. You need chairs.

View Quoted Comment

No I agree. A seat for every butt - ESPECIALLY if they are outside.

View Quoted Comment

I completely agree with this. ^

I think with an intimate wedding you know your guests best if standing is acceptable. I personally would have seating since people do arrive early and if you are having a cocktail hour that can be a lot of standing especially for women in heels. Also if any of it is outside NOLA in May can be quite fierce and you don’t want your guests to be exhausted from standing in the heat if outside or no air conditioning. Just have the chairs the way you would have wanted them to encircle you- this will ensure the look you want while making sure everyone is as comfortable as possible and they know where to be.

I think chairs are a must. Your ceremony is 20 mins but ppl get there early. I always get there atleast 15 mins early. I’d be uncomfortable And hot and wanting it to be over withouy being able to enjoy it

View Quoted Comment That’s great and all, but what does this have to do with the price of tea in China? OP’s wedding is not in Greece.
That’s like someone asking about buying their FW an engagement ring and me saying that in Germany a lot of people don’t wear engagement rings.

I think an additional concern would be visibility. That’s kind of a mob of people standing around you, so some will be standing behind others and might not be able to get a good view of you guys. It may also be trickier for the photographer to get some shots. At least if they’re seated they may have a better line of vision for the ceremony, in addition to being more comfortable.

I was adamant about having chairs for my beach ceremony for the reasons PPs have cited, and also because I really wanted to process up an aisle. Then my daughter (who is also my MOH) pointed out that six of the ten attendees are the wedding party and four chairs wouldn’t form much of an aisle. So my four non-WP guests (basically the spouses of the WP) will be standing in the sand for the 15-minute ceremony. I’ll make sure they have tropical drinks to sip to keep them cool and comfortable.

I liked the idea above of arranging your chairs in a semi-circle to create that sense of intimacy.

Guests don't complain to the bride and groom but that doesn't mean they don't complain. You need seats for your guests. Especially if you are in the South like Nola.

I attended a standing wedding once where my 5 year old was the RB. I was in back of the exceeding tall family members and had no idea my son was acting like a tool up there. My oldest daughter was the MOH and she was trying to keep him in line, but I had no idea because at 5.9" tall I still couldn't see anything going on. And.. I had to stand in the grass in heels because I had no idea there would be no chairs.

Get some chairs please.