If you’re looking for a way to make your wedding ceremony feel fresh and memorable, consider one of the first things your guests will see once they arrive: their ceremony seats. Instead of the expected straight rows of fold-out chairs, why not switch up your ceremony seating plan?
PHOTO BY REBECCA YALE; PLANNED BY AMOROLOGY
Benches
For an outdoor wedding in the woods, at a barn, or in the mountains, line up several rows and columns of rustic wooden benches facing the altar. Benches are great for grassy, uneven ground since the weight of multiple people will keep them in place.
PHOTO BY LAURKEN KENDALL; FLORAL DESIGN SARAH WINWARD; PLANNER MAE&CO CREATIVE
In and Around
Arrange your seats in a circular pattern so you’re literally surrounded by your loved ones—it’ll make everyone feel included in the ceremony, instead of just looking on. We love how this couple chose translucent ghost chairs to keep the focus on the spectacular view.
PHOTO BY CAROLINE TRAN
Square
If you’re planning to exchange vows beneath a large ceremony structure, like a chuppah, arrange the chairs in a square-like fashion so that they surround the structure. This way, your guests will have better views of the ceremony all around.
PHOTO BY JOSE VILLA
Half Circle
Instead of arranging the chairs in straight rows, curve them to create a semi-circle shape, which feels a bit cozier and more intimate.
PHOTO BY CAROLINE TRAN
Spiral
Make an outdoor wedding a bit more intimate by setting up chairs in a spiral. This will create a dramatic, winding aisle—plus, how amazing will it be to see each and every guest as you circle your way to the center? A spiral works best for small-to-moderate guest lists; setting up 250 chairs in a spiral is not realistic.
PHOTO BY IDENA BEACH PHOTOGRAPHY
Asymmetrical Rows
This type of seating is perfect for a venue such as a cliff’s edge or a narrow strip of land on the coast. Arrange the chairs in asymmetrical rows with an aisle down the middle, adjusting to the curves and bends of your unique setting.
COURTESY OF THUNDERBIRD LAKE TAHOE
Long and Narrow
If you’re getting married oceanfront or on a dock, long, narrow rows are the way to go. The setup is still somewhat traditional, but instead of the usual wide rows, arrange the chairs in sets of two to four and extend the aisle further back.
PHOTO BY ANDREW BAYDA; PLANNED BY NADI MIRONOVA
Polished Poufs
We love a traditional Moroccan pouf as much as the next person, but we’re also into this alternative ottoman-like option. It feels fresh, modern, and totally perfect for a couple that’s not afraid to play with pops of color!
PHOTO BY EN ROUTE PHOTOGRAPHY
Blankets and Pillows
For a casual, intimate wedding, arrange colorful, patterned blankets on a grassy field or sandy beach with fun pillows for added comfort. This type of wedding seating will make your guests feel like they’re at a picnic in the park while you say your vows.
PHOTO BY MATHIAS FAST
Bales of Hay
If you’re saying “I do” in a rustic outdoor ceremony, look no further than an accompanying field for your seating! Hay bales can make for a charming seating option—just throw a linen style of choice over the top so that the hay isn’t too scratchy for your guests.
PHOTO BY BRAEDON FLYNN