arbor Archives - Beach People Weddings

Chairs and Arbors Advice

We offer some beach decoration but not seating or arbors/arches or chuppahs BECAUSE:

Among 2,000+ couples, 90% of them didn’t get chairs and 95% don’t use an arbor/arch after they read why …
IF you REALLY want or need them, we recommend reliable rental companies (click here) but first read on…
We DO decorate the wedding site around your feet in our gorgeous and unique Sand Groomed Heart & Shells, CLICK HERE, or scroll down to see pics here.
Ceremony & Arbors last only 5-15 minutes for this, lightweight arbors are a risky wind hazard of falling or striking someone, renting heavy ones cost $200-$800+, and the ocean/beach backdrop alone is is very unique and profoundly lovely.

Wedding ceremony lasts about 10 mins + guests assembling (5-15 mins) + photos session afterward (up to 60 mins):

BUT if any guests are elderly, handicapped, pregnant, then seats/chairs are a GOOD IDEA!
If you have fewer than 30 guests and no elderly or handicapped, then consider no chairs. Let them stand, and move comfortably, in a half-round formation around the couple & officiant instead (click here to see that in our Facebook album photos).
Or consider bringing out a few folding chairs for the “first row” of special guests (parents, g-parents, elders, handicapped), and invite fit guests to stand around them.
If you rent chairs/seats or an arbor, we recommend renting from vendors we trust (avoid rusty, greasy, dirty, broken chairs, seriously) – click this link to see a list of Rental websites here: Suggested Vendors webpage .
When asking Rentals for quotes, be sure to ask for delivery fee and setup/breakdown fee…those are 2 more separate fees besides the chairs or arbor.

With officiating, we include an artful marking on the sand for your ceremony site with our unique sand grooming and seashells heart at your feet, (see pics below) and our cast iron hook-and-shell horn.
But, some people like the extra color and framing of an arbor in their photos… so it’s personal taste.
FYI: arbors can be white PVC (shiny plastic), painted metal, bamboo or other woods. They can be 4 or 2 posts, in various shapes. People sometimes add flowers or drapes or similar things.
Arbors with 4 posts, chunkier and professionally well-anchored with metal stakes 2 feet deep, are safer and more lovely.
The thin, light, department store arbors are cheaper AND VERY LIKELY to fall over in the beach wind with soft sand beach (especially with fabric draped on them-acts like a boat sail!).
FYI: about 60% of the “homemade” arbors we’ve seen don’t work…hard to transport, delicate, breakable, not anchorable, not wind resistant, and fall right over during setup! Pretty much high-maintenance and stressful for the couple.
Honestly, if you really WANT an arbor, shop around and rent a sturdy one from trusted pros on our Suggested Vendors page.