One of the unexpected parts of a DIY wedding is just how much thought goes into the chair setup. At Mitchell Grove, some couples dream of the elegant half-circle layout—it creates a sense of intimacy and frames the ceremony beautifully. But the half-circle also takes patience, spatial awareness, and usually a good dose of family teamwork to pull off.
Other couples decide to keep it simple with straight rows, and the truth is, they look just as wonderful. There’s no “wrong” way to do it—just different styles that suit different personalities and wedding vibes. In the early days, I even helped by showing couples how to use the “string method” as a guide, and I’ve given more than a few tutorials over the years.
The important thing to know is that it might be harder than you think at first—but it’s completely doable. That’s the heart of a DIY venue: you keep your creative control, your budget stays in check, and your people power makes it all possible. At Mitchell Grove, we love seeing how each couple makes the space their own, chairs and all.