Planning the ceremony part of your wedding can often seem less thrilling than the reception. For some couples, the real work is put into making for a memorable reception overall. However, putting a little bit of effort into how the ceremony unfolds can help to elevate your event to another status entirely. Instead of assuming the only option for seating is the straightforward aisle-style arrangement, explore some alternatives that may work better. A little inspiration can help you see your ceremony venue in a whole different light.
Assess the Space First
Before you can explore arrangements for seating, you need some specifics about the venue itself. It won’t do you much good to see fun layouts if the space can’t accommodate them. Try to step into the venue if possible and walk around a bit. Being physically present can provide you with a wealth of ideas about how the space can be utilized. If you’re holding an outdoor ceremony, you have a bit more freedom to play around. Still, stay mindful of trees or similar structures that may interfere with the planning.
A Half-Circle Arrangement
The traditional ceremony arrangement usually follows the layout of a graduation ceremony held in a school auditorium. Whether in a church, a barn, or on the beach, the structured aisle arrangement actually provides a majority of guests with poor angles for viewing what’s happening. Arranging the seats in a semicircle, on the other hand, gives you the chance to stagger the chairs in a way that provides every person with a perfect look at your big moment. Most venues can accommodate a simple seating switch like this.
An Offbeat Approach
You can also ditch the idea of a formal seating arrangement altogether. To encourage a cozy and comfortable atmosphere for your guests, create a space that allows them to pick their own seats. You can place benches and chairs casually around the grounds, carefully curating each position based on the view it provides the guest. For an intimate indoor event, consider having the attendees sit on pillows on the floor. Explore what works for you and will offer the guests present a memorable and enjoyable experience.
A Runway Model Style
Looking to the world of theater and fashion can offer some truly unique options for seating arrangements. If you fancy yourself the kind of couple who could walk runways in Milan and Paris, then maybe you can put this to the test with your big day. A runway setup for a wedding puts the couple and officiant on a stage between two horizontal rows of guests. This way, everyone gets an up-close look at the service and you can guarantee some excellent pictures of the entire affair from family and friends.
A Well-Rounded Event
Another theatrical approach to the ceremony is a “wedding in the round.” Much like theater-in-the-round performances, the guests at this type of event are seated in a complete circle around the couple and officiant. This is another way to ensure everyone gets a good seat for the service. If you and your partner are people who have any love of theater, this can also be a lovely way to incorporate your passion for the dramatic arts into the design of your big day.
A Personalized Experience
You don’t need to follow someone else’s example to create a seating arrangement that works for your wedding. If you’ve got an artistic eye or a way with spatial coordination, you might be able to work some real magic with your venue. Give yourself the chance and see what happens.
The beauty of your wedding day is that it is yours to do with as you like. If the standard seating setup isn’t for you, jump into exploring the many different alternatives that are out there.
