Parasols for guests?

[ladyciel]

Our ceremony is going to be mid-afternoon in a garden with little to no natural shade, so I''ve been considering the idea of getting some paper parasols for our guests. They can be so cute in pics, and I''m sure if it''s hot that day they''ll appreciate them. My concern, though, is whether or not people can use them during the ceremony without blocking somebody''s view. Has anyone been to a wedding where the guests held parasols? Could you see? Were they a mixed blessing? One of my BMs suggested asking the guests to bear the sun for the 20 minute ceremony, just using the parasols before and after, but I''m afraid that could backfire (you know, the one person who doesn''t get the memo, uses the parasol anyway, and ticks off everybody else following directions). What do you guys think?? Thanks!!

 

[Haven]

This is a lovely idea, but it does sound like a potential nightmare during the ceremony. Could you pass the parasols out after the ceremony? I''ve been to many outdoor summer ceremonies without shade and I haven''t melted yet, so I wouldn''t worry about your guests!

 

[mimzy]

eek, that could go either way.

maybe, just maaayybbee you could give one or two parasols to people in the crowd (like grandmas or something) that you purposely have seated on the ends or in front of a really tall person so that you can still get them in the picture, but you aren''t sacrificing anybodys view.

 

[kelpie]

My cousin had chinese tissue papery parasols for her outdoor wedding. Well her wedding was at 3 and it rains pretty much everyday in boulder at 4pm. It came early with hail! The dye from the paper stained our dresses. We changed and had the ceremony at the reception site. it''s was still a great wedding. just don''t get the paper ones!

 

[ladyciel]

Thanks, ladies!

Haven, your idea to pass them out after the ceremony is a possibility. It might encourage the guests to spend a little more time exploring the botanical gardens than they might otherwise. There''s a short break between the ceremony and reception (the reception is at a hotel about 15 min away, ceremony is at 2:30, reception starts at 4), and we''d like to avoid the guests banging on the ballroom door at the hotel, you know?

Mimzy, now that you mention the people at the edges, maybe I should post a pic of the garden setup. I kind of think if everyone were to hold the parasols well above their heads, more or less parallel to the ground, then people should be able to see just fine. If anything, for once the really tall guy might be the one who can''t see, because his head would be in line with the parasols instead of under them!

Kelpie, that sounds like a real mess! Thankfully the weather in the afternoons around here is typically pretty consistent/readable. I think if we saw any chance of rain we would leave the parasols behind and not offer them. Thanks for the warning!

Here''s a pic of the gardens. The seating is a little broken up by the rose beds. We''re expecting to have ~75 guests.

 

[ladyciel]

I finally found some photos of parasols being used during a ceremony. What do you gals think? Does it look liked views are being blocked??