Thoughts on a "standing" wedding ceremony?

I went to an outdoor wedding in Nova Scotia that overlooks a golf course and there was like 20 chairs for 100 guests. Most of us young people just stood behind the chairs and it wasn't a long ceremony. They did their vows immediately and then they were done. Short and sweet, I think yours will be quite doable.

I will have chairs out for mine but if all 200+ guests show up - they will be standing... As long as the ceremony isn't too long it shouldn't be a problem. Just make sure that the seats are monitored so people who are capable of standing don't hog them over those who do.

(pic of my ceremony and how it will look set up)

We are having a 15 minute standing ceremony! We are probably not having that many people show up, maybe 20 besides our bridal party? And we will probably get them to stand in a half circle, as we dont need an aisle. So I think it is perfectly fine to do it this way! And in Russia for example, the usual ceremony is done at cityhall and everyone stands, so its not that weird of a thing we are of course mentioning it on invites so people are aware that its casual and so that they dont expect chairs and so on.

Thank you guys for all of your feedback!

Standing over picnic style for sure. The ground might be too hard for some people.

Or if it rained overnight or something it might be damp. Plus Sitting on the ground in some dresses may prove to be difficult haha.

If it's short it shouldn't be a problem. Anything longer than 15 as mentioned I think you need chairs then.

Most guests won't mind standing for the ceremony so go for it. As the lady had mentioned, for some that need to sit, provide chairs for those guests making it easier to be relaxed.

I’m short, so I’m not a fan of standing ceremonies! But, it does seem like a good option for the space. I would say have a few chairs available for those that can’t stand a long time, as you said. And I like the suggestion of including in the invitations that it is a standing ceremony. The only other thought I had was about the aisle, if you’re wanting one. With standing, there won’t be an aisle, unless you mark it off somehow.

View quoted message If you could come up with a way to get the picnic style to work that would be so cool! I'd totally be down for a picnic ceremony! It is a hard one to get people behind like you mentioned but if you got figure it out that would be beautiful.

I've attended a standing-only wedding (on the beach in SAND) and I survived in heels. Your guests will survive lol. I vote no chairs

Thank you for your feedback, ladies! We have the chairs, they just aren't very practical in the space. I've also brainstormed things like picnic blanket style, but that one seems like a hard sell for our guests to sit on the floor!

I think as long as you give people the heads up that it is a standing ceremony (so they can wear comfortable shoes) and it's not a long ceremony it should be totally fine. The only thing that you won't be able to control is if taller people are standing in front of shorter people so not everyone can see.

I'm actually going to go against the other comments! 15 min or less would be fine but I would worry about people being able to see everything... in that space I would offer some chairs for people who are older, and then can have some standing room at the back! I worry some might not be able to see what's going on if you have a small area and trying to look over taller people

That's definitely fine but like others mentioned 15 mins or less for sure. If you're having kids there it could be problematic because some kids don't want to stand for the long or parents don't want to hold them long. Should be fine but you never know. I'd definitely have it a pretty short ceremony tho!

That's a great idea if you're having a short ceremony. I went to one and it was totally fine. The good thing is people are pretty good and finding a spot for themselves that won't be in the way once they see where you're going to be.

A friend of ours had a standing ceremony and it was completely fine (didnt even really notice it since we're just focused on what was happening). You could totally go for it

As long as it is a short ceremony (15 minutes or less) I think it is fine to stand.