Many couples are looking for ways to cut their wedding costs. One option we get asked about is reusing tables or chairs in multiple locations, e.g. using rental chairs for both the ceremony and the reception. While this option is more economical than the alternative, which is to rent furniture for both locations, here are some very important questions (and issues) you should address first before you commit to the plan.

Scenario #1: We want to use the same chairs for both the ceremony & reception.

Questions to Consider:
Who will move the chairs? The wedding party and families will most likely be working with the photographer, and an hour isn’t very long! Do you really need one more thing to worry about while you are supposed to be smiling? Who can you beg/pay to do this for you? Some rental companies allow you to pay to have their staff on hand to move items, but this option is typically more expensive than simply renting a second set of chairs.

During your planning time, and even the day of the wedding, you will probably receive a great deal of help from parents, friends, family and even paid staff. It might be hard to find people on a hot day (or a rainy one) to move 150 chairs from one location to another.

Solutions:
Instead of moving chairs, here are a few economical options that might work for your event.

Go simple for the ceremony. Use less expensive chairs at the ceremony site and fancier chairs in the dining area. Depending on the length of your ceremony, your guests won’t be sitting in them for long.
Rent fewer chairs for the ceremony. Use half or a third of the number of chairs for the number of guests. Seniors or folks with children can sit, while the rest of your guests fill in around the chairs. Everyone will still have a perfect view.
Use one location. Hold the wedding ceremony in the dining location, where everyone will sit at their dining table.

Scenario #2: We want to use a table(s) with tablecloths in multiple locations.

Questions to Consider:
Who, again, will move the tables? Will the tables be in the way of guests? Is there a rain plan? How complicated is the setup? If you want to use a table for name cards and then for presents, that is a fairly simple switch. If you want to use a table for a bar that will be broken down and then used for coffee later, that could prove more complicated, and messy!

Solutions:

Keep it clean. If the table is being moved from one messy location to another, remember to rent an extra table linen.
Keep it orderly. Designate a person to move the table and figure out the best way to execute, rain or shine. You want to make sure the least number of people are affected.

Scenario #3: To save space we want to seat people on the dance floor.

Questions to Consider
Once the dancing begins people seated on the dance floor will be ‘homeless’ or have no seats. Who will move or break down the tables once dinner is over? How will you let the affected people know they will be losing their seats so they can put their belongings at another table?

Solutions:

Choose the right guests. Make sure you seat guests at the dance floor tables who are more likely to dance, would be less likely to stay seated, or more likely to leave early.
Go big. Rent a bigger tent to provide an ample seating area for guests, eliminating the need to seat guests on the dance floor.
Add another tent. To save space in the main tent, use another tent to house the bar or buffet.

For further advice and creative solutions, talk to your event rental provider. Explain your dilemma and ask them for their recommendations on how to cut costs or deal with space issues. You won’t be the first to ask and will find they have plenty of creative suggestions to offer.