Need your help... - The PASH Wedding Forums and Message Boards

cru5h · #1 03-06-2006, 06:02 PM

Richy and I are doing the beach wedding thing. We will probably have 40 guests. Is it too much to ask that everyone just stand for the ceremony? It's going to be very short and to the point. We have no vows for each other, and it's non-denominational, however you spell that. I'd rather not have to decorate and rent chairs. But I don't want my wedding to be the one everyone remembers for having to stand in the sand.

Side notes: I will be telling people ahead of time that the wedding will be on a beach, in the sand. The wedding will only be semi-formal to business casual. So if anyone shows up barefoot, or with sandals, no one will care. Plus, these are close friends and family only, and I can't think of anyone who would have a hard time, except my grandma, and I'd need to provide some means of access that would be easier for her. Her balance sucks, obviously at 86 or whatever she is. And I'd have a chair for her. She could come right up near us so she can hear better.

So I also need tips on getting her across 20 feet of sand without her falling down.

cru5h · #2 03-06-2006, 06:07 PM

I don't know why I posted this under receptions... maybe because I have a reception question too...

Steph · #3 03-06-2006, 06:08 PM

How long do you think it will last and what time of the year are you planning on getting married? Not sure if I have read the date in previous posts.

If it is less than 20 min. ceremony then I see not problem with people standing but if it will be 20 min. in July/Aug. you might want to have chairs due to the heat.

That's just my

For a fun theme you might want to ask people to bring beach chairs if they want to sit. Just a thought.

ladedah · #4 03-06-2006, 06:09 PM

I have seen pictures of beach weddings before where everyone stands, and it's probably only going to be for 15-20 mins, so I say

. as for helping grandma, I have no suggestions other than to have a couple of people to help her.

Heather · #5 03-06-2006, 06:10 PM

Could your oldest escort Grandma? You could also have maybe one row of chairs near the ceremony. I'm sure everyone would understand they are reserved for those who can't stand very long.

I don't see any problem with having people stand for a short ceremony. Ours was 11 minutes and everyone stood - however.... they stood only because our officiant forgot to tell them to sit, lol. It was his first wedding so we forgave him and so did the guests.

cru5h · #6 03-06-2006, 06:12 PM

It'll be about 10-15 minutes. I mean, that's probably how long it'll take for everyone to get situated. We'll probably take 5 minutes of vows, max. Easy to pleasy.

We will have a few strapping lads at the wedding. Plus, my uncle can help her too. One on each side. She's still going to want to kill me.

cru5h · #7 03-06-2006, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heather

Could your oldest escort Grandma? You could also have maybe one row of chairs near the ceremony. I'm sure everyone would understand they are reserved for those who can't stand very long.

I don't see any problem with having people stand for a short ceremony. Ours was 11 minutes and everyone stood - however.... they stood only because our officiant forgot to tell them to sit, lol. It was his first wedding so we forgave him and so did the guests.

LOL my oldest is the skinniest thing you'll ever lay eyes on. I think my cousins could help her. They're big guys.

munchkin · #8 03-06-2006, 06:16 PM

I went to beach wedding last year where everyone stood. There were two chairs set up for the grandmas, but other than that no one had a problem. It was quite cool actually. I don't think it should be a problem at all.

breezy · #9 03-06-2006, 06:19 PM

I really imagined everyone standing and a few chairs for the elderly... but Mom is adamant about having chairs. Since she is paying for it... I don't care

I think it is perfectly acceptable to ask people to stand.

As for G-ma... her in Ca some areas of beach have a cement walkway about halfway out to the beach. I don't think I have seen anything like that in FL... but perhaps? That would certainly make a large part of the walking easier on her.

Is Grammy up for adventure? You could decorate a boogie board and have the men escort (pull) her across the sand on it? (don't laugh at me... I am just letting the brain juices flow werever today)

cru5h · #10 03-06-2006, 06:24 PM

I'm not laughing at you

The beach we're having the wedding at doesn't have cement all the way out to the ocean. It's like... parking lot, go upstairs, cross the 2-lane street, go down a couple of stairs and end up at the lifeguard's platform. From there it's like 30 feet to the water. We want to have it close to some rocks near the water. Lemme see if I can find my old pics of it.

feb-bride · #11 03-06-2006, 06:24 PM

I think that it will be fine to have everyone standing during the ceremony.

As for your grandmother, I think that having a couple of stronger guests escort her will work fine.

cru5h · #12 03-06-2006, 06:37 PM

http://crunchyrice.fotopic.net

Go to Location Location Location to see the beach on a good day.

Go to Richy and me to see the exact area we want to have it, which is in the yucky picture where my hair is doing a combover on him. We look so stupid in that picture

The rocks behind us - that's where we wanna be.

Marrying_the_Good_Husband · #13 03-06-2006, 08:21 PM

That should be perfect. Most beach weddings DO just have the people standing around. And it sounds like you have a good plan (and a chair) for grandma, so it should be fine.

cru5h · #14 03-06-2006, 08:30 PM

Thank you everyone

lisa82 · #15 03-06-2006, 08:32 PM

Yeah, I think it's actually a better idea to have people stand as opposed to having them seated. For one thing, people could gather around you and actually be able to hear your vows. With the waves crashing it will be really hard to hear. Bring Grandma a comfy chair and have the muscle men escort her. My brother got married on the beach last December, although it was only 7 of us there, it would have been completely silly to have chairs. Since their vows were so short, by the time we sat down it would have been time to stand up anyways!!! My vote is for no chairs except for grandma.

P.S. I LOVE beach weddings!!!

555Ann555 · #16 03-07-2006, 01:39 AM

I've only seen beach weddings on tv (it's too bloody cold to have them on our beaches

) but I think having everyone standing around should be fine... And like the others said, a folding chair would be ideal for grandma and easy enough for one of your cousins (or whoever) to carry down for her...

So when is this beach wedding going to be???

I've been off for a couple of days, did I miss your announcement?!

cru5h · #17 03-07-2006, 01:58 AM

October 14th. I didn't announce it

You haven't missed anything!

munchkin · #18 03-07-2006, 02:23 AM

lol the only reason I know the date is because I'm a dork and I was making everything colourful in the Anniversary Dates sticky thread.