Small outdoor wedding with about 25 guests – How is the ceremony supposed to go?

You could arrange everyone to line up to form an isle for you to walk down – save the chairs for the older guests. Could they not supply benches instead that way everyone could have a seat? I’m guessing that if you are Christians you will be having a full service which could be quite lengthy? You could have a radio but how about someone from your church perhaps playing the violin or acoustic guitar? Remember, it’s your wedding and it is unique to you. It doesn’t have to be the same as others, just the way you both want it to be.

Good Luck

First you should check about the rules in the Japanese Garden. They can be very strict. I am surprised you are allowed to get married there at all.
How beautiful, sounds very romantic

Regardless to answer your question…. Friends and family will form your aisle. Maybe you can use flower petals scattered on the ground to show where you will be walking. Have people in a semi-circle
And Music – YES if you can!! Maybe live music as it is only a small affair. What about a traditional japanese insrtument? That would be awesome. Or a harp or acoustic guitar. Otherwise a CD Player / IPOD Dock
You need some sound to come in – it helps set the scene and the mood. CREATES MAGIC!!!

10 people is already almost half of your guest list, so have your ushers or groomsmen ask your other guests to stand behind the chairs that are already set up so that you can have your aisle to walk down. People will understand and respect that you still need an aisle that leads to your groom.
You could bring a CD player, or iPod with speakers to play music, or hire someone, like a solo guitar player, or violinist, to serenade you as you walk down the aisle.
If you do decide to bring an electronic music option make sure that there is an electrical outlet and that the speakers are loud enough for everyone to hear the music over the ambient noise of the outside world.
And remember, this is your big day, so have fun.

the answer to this question depends on whether or not there is a place for you to come in from. it sounds as if you are going to use the waterfall for your background at the “altar area” right?

if that is the case, look to see if there is a path leading up to the waterfall where you can arrange your guests into two small groups on either side with a middle aisle, using your chairs for elderly or immediate family…like mother, mother in law, grandparents, fathers. and have the remaing guests standing in groups on each side, making a small aisle for you.

or if there is no place to make a middle aisle, you can have a side aisle entrance. this is done by placing the chairs in a semicircle facing the waterfall and arranging the rest of the guests standing behind them in a semicircle. then the groom and best man enter from the right side (right when facing the waterfall) and wait. then comes the brides’ maid from the left side, she stands a little to the side so the bride can fit past her…then the bride comes from the left side as well and the bride and groom meet in the center.

you should definately have some kind of music….a radio, cd player, a person who plays the flute or guitar…something to set the tone. you will need to have something playing in the background as the guests take their places, something different playing for the groom, best man and brides maid to come in to and then the wedding march song for you. don’t forget to have another song for the exit…a faster uptempo piece…and something to play in the background as the people leave as well. music is an important part of the wedding ceremony. you can make a tape or a cd and have someone to push the buttons for you so the right songs get played at the right time. great job for a young person or teenager.

you will have to study your staging area to see what works best, but do try to provide yourself a little aisle area at least to walk down. that’s half the fun.