22 Creative Wedding Ceremony Seating Ideas

Looking to create the perfect setting for your “I dos”? Here are 22 creative ideas for your wedding ceremony seating.

30 of January, 2020

If you’re not holding your wedding ceremony at a house of worship, you’ll need to create an environment for the most important moment of your big day. This doesn’t have to be costly. A creative and clever wedding ceremony seating arrangement can create a warm welcome and set just the right tone for your guests to witness your union. Whether you’re saying your “I dos” outdoors or using the same wedding venue for your ceremony and reception, these are some of our favourite ideas for setting up wedding ceremony seating for your guests while elevating the space to be worthy of the exchange of wedding vows.

Here are 22 creative wedding ceremony seating ideas.

Circle of friends

We love this intimate wedding ceremony seating arrangement. Set up rows of chairs in a circle and hold your ceremony in the centre to exchange your wedding vows literally surrounded by your family and friends.

Facing sections

Similar to the circle, this seating arrangement has the ceremony taking place in the middle, but with two groupings of chairs facing one another. There are a lot of variations for this one. It can be set up with curved or straight rows; with an equal number of chairs in each row or an increasing number (forming a triangular shape); and, centred in the space or off-centre (as shown here).

Hay bale seating

Hay bale seating for a wedding ceremony at a farm or ranch is a natural choice. Drape the bales with fabric or blankets for added comfort.

Driftwood logs

Whether you’re by the sea or in the forest, rows of logs provide the perfect wedding ceremony seating solution.

Tree stumps

Another great idea for wedding ceremony seating in a forest or field is to use various sizes of tree stumps.

Benches

For a rustic wedding, benches will work in all kinds of settings – in the woods, in a field or on a dock overlooking the water.

Loft with stylish chairs

Dress up a loft space with rows of stylish wedding chairs, such as Chiavari or Ghost chairs. Add a few strings of lights for a festive feeling.

Sunken seating

Use the architectural elements of your wedding venue to give your guests a good vantage point.

Water feature

Don’t let water get in your way – make it work in your favour and arrange wedding ceremony seating around a fountain, pool or pond.

Bleachers

Using existing bleachers is a cozy and friendly wedding ceremony seating option for a cottage, park or summer camp wedding.

Restaurant patio chairs

Rearrange existing patio chairs for an outdoor ceremony at a restaurant venue. And remember, the rows do not need to be symmetrical to form your aisle.

Barn backdrop

Set up your wedding ceremony seating adjacent to a barn venue to set the right tone and provide some shelter from the elements.

Great outdoors

Use old doors to create an intimate entrance to an outdoor ceremony seating set up on a lawn. Create a focal point for your vows with a wedding altar draped in fabric and decorated with flowers.

Rectangular rooftop arrangement

Give all your guests a good view with chairs wrapping around your chuppah or wedding altar.

Couches and chairs

Your reception chairs and lounge furniture can do double duty for your wedding ceremony seating with a mix-and-match set up.

Elevated aisle

An elevated wedding aisle and altar makes certain that everyone can see you say ”I do”.

Theatre seating

Stage your wedding ceremony at a theatre or amphitheatre for comfortable seating and a dramatic effect.

Mount Royal University Event and Conference Centre

Restaurant tables

For an intimate restaurant wedding, you can seat guests at their tables and use an architectural detail as a focal point for your exchange of vows.

Micro wedding ceremony set-up

If you’re planning a small gathering, you may want to forgo the walk up the aisle and simply start the proceedings with you and your fiancée at the altar. If this sounds like you, you can create an intimate ceremony seating arrangement without an aisle like this one.

Room with a view

When choosing a wedding venue, be open-minded as to where you can hold your wedding ceremony. Almost any type of space with a spectacular view or impressive architectural features (and enough room for your guest count) can be set up with a wedding ceremony seating arrangement.

Wide and shallow

Speaking of spectacular views, give all your guests a good seat with a wide and shallow arrangement of 2 to 3 rows. You could go with a V-shape as shown here or a wide curve – perfect for a beachfront ceremony.