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Original poster

Do I need a chair for every guest?

73 replies

Yissie · 06/04/2022 18:03

Casual ish wedding, outdoor mainly, food trucks, live music, we have a marquee that can seat 50, we over invited (it crept up on us..) and have 68 coming. I thought more people would say no as it's last minute Blush

Anyway ceremony we've arranged 50 chairs, not a huge issue as we have rustic benches in the marquee and we could put some of them at the back.

There's no sit down meal, as it's food trucks and hopefully we will have good weather so people will be scattered around the marquee and on the hay bails around the fire pits. But dad and best man want to make speeches does everyone need a proper seat for this? Will it be ok to have benches in the marquee for 50, and if everyone does pile in there at once at some point does it matter if some are standing? Or could bring chairs from ceremony in? I'm stressing!

OP posts:
Fitterbyfifty · 06/04/2022 18:05

I think you need either a bench place or a chair for everybody.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 06/04/2022 18:08

If its bad weather everyone will need a space to sit inside to eat.

bluebaul · 06/04/2022 18:40

I think having enough seats is the very basic of what you are expected to provide.

Hitplay · 06/04/2022 18:42

Yes, absolutely.

I can’t believe you could think otherwise.

Original poster
Yissie · 06/04/2022 18:45

There is more than enough seating for everyone across the whole venue, 50 chairs in ceremony area, benches to seat 50 in the marquee and enough hay bails/outdoor furniture to sit 40. With food trucks and bands and outdoor games I'm wondering if everyone will be sat down at a table at the same time that's all.

OP posts:
Honeyroar · 06/04/2022 18:45

I’ve been to two wedding where we had to stand up because there were no chairs. I hated them!! We left early because my feet were killing me.

Archersandlemonade · 06/04/2022 18:45

Yes we went to a wedding where we had to stand - we ended up leaving the wedding room and going into the hotel bar so missed all the cake cutting, dancing etc - was crap

bluebaul · 06/04/2022 18:47

@Yissie

There is more than enough seating for everyone across the whole venue, 50 chairs in ceremony area, benches to seat 50 in the marquee and enough hay bails/outdoor furniture to sit 40. With food trucks and bands and outdoor games I'm wondering if everyone will be sat down at a table at the same time that's all.

Presumably you will only be in the ceremony area for the ceremony?

Bushkin · 06/04/2022 18:49

What if it rains?

You definitely need enough indoor seating for everyone. Even if people are up dancing/whatever theyll want a base to leave their jacket/drink/bag.

Why on earth did you invite so many more than you can accommodate?

Rainallnight · 06/04/2022 18:49

You definitely need more chairs in wherever the party/meal is. Everyone might want to sit down to eat. I’d think you were a terrible host if I couldn’t n

TheLoupGarou · 06/04/2022 18:53

Definitely a chair or bench for everyone AND have a contingency for rain

OhSoStranger · 06/04/2022 18:55

Sounds like an amazing wedding !! My friend did similar and it was the best wedding I've ever been to - truly a special day.

Your going to need enough seats for every one to sit down on I think (and enough table to be sat at).

Beercrispsandnuts · 06/04/2022 18:56

Yeah you Need to provide adequate seating for the ceremony and the speeches, Also what’s your plan if it’s raining?

TheLightSideOfTheMoon · 06/04/2022 18:57

BYOC?

WlNDMlLL · 06/04/2022 18:59

I don't think you're being ridiculous OP because at more relaxed weddings with food trucks people do mill around more. However the most recent one like that I was at there was nowhere for the people at the end of the food line to sit. My bolshy friend very good naturedly booted some people she didn't know off a table in a "come on, you've already eaten so make room for us" sort of way and I remember thinking I'd no way have had the balls to do that! I don't think most people would.

sirensscreech · 06/04/2022 19:01

Give everyone a seat. Or you will find people will grumble (at best) or simply leave.

DarlingDarwin · 06/04/2022 19:04

Yes everyone needs a seat.

toomuchlaundry · 06/04/2022 19:06

So will there be only benches to sit on once the ceremony is over? Any tables? Do you have any guests that have mobility issues that might struggle with a bench?

Crazykefir · 06/04/2022 19:06

You've got 50 seats plus benches which you can move. It will be fine. There a good chance you'll get some no shows.

RealRaymondReddington · 06/04/2022 19:08

Are there any children coming? If so perhaps a few extra picnic blankets or something might be good for them - if the weather is nice of course!

NiceViper · 06/04/2022 19:10

Your going to need enough seats for every one to sit down on I think (and enough table to be sat at)

Yes, tables. Otherwise you need one hand to hold food, one hand to eat it with (fork/spoon/fingers), one hand to hold a drink - see the flaw?

And yes, people will eat at much the same time - because when one group goes to eat, the rest will follow

VeggieSausage · 06/04/2022 19:15

Everyone definitely needs a seat. We once attended a wedding where we were evening guests, and there were not enough seats for us so we just had to stand around while others sat to watch the first dance etc - seriously it felt like we had just been invited to make up numbers and it was so rude.

PurpleDaisies · 06/04/2022 19:17

How is this a question?

Yes, everyone needs a seat.

Clymene · 06/04/2022 19:19

You are planning a wedding in the U.K.

You absolutely cannot rely on it being dry

RomainingCalm · 06/04/2022 19:20

It sounds like a wonderful wedding but I'd go so far as to say that with informal seating you need even more seats than people. Some people will take a bench and use it as a base and you won't have every space neatly filled - e.g a group of 3x people taking over a picnic bench for 4.

If the weather is good people will be happier to sit on benches and hay bales etc. but if it rains you need undercover seating for everyone.

After the ceremony can chairs be brought through to the main marquee?

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