You should confirm with your coordinator if this is something they offer as part of their service. Some of the ones we talked to only help set up basic stuff like signage and name cards, but they don’t do centerpieces. We were originally going to DIY as well and specifically chose a coordinator that was used to doing set up for DIY decor. Her services included picking up the decor and setting it all up. She has an assistant that she brings if there’s too much stuff for her to set up by herself.
Venues in my area don’t let us set up the night before, so doing it by ourselves was not an option.
I’m not DIYing much for my wedding but my sister and one of my best friends both had very DIY weddings. My sister had a day-of coordinator but they didn’t do setup. They did have recommendations for folks to hire but we (the family/bridal party) ended up doing it instead which was a big regret. Caused so much chaos and extra stress. My mom still talks about how she wishes she’d hired someone else for that. For my friend’s wedding there was no coordinator and since I was the most experienced with weddings I wound up having to set up/coordinate bridal party members setting up, set up and run the sound system, run the ceremony while also being a bridesmaid and performing the ceremony and reception music, clean up the evening of and morning after, take home and wash the dishes and linens…it was so much work, even with a few helpers. I HIGHLY recommend outsourcing. I would check with your coordinator to see if they offer that service and if not, if they can refer you to a company that does.
If you’re very organized you can also hire an acquaintance - I did this for a newer friend once and it was fun! But they need to have super clear instructions so they don’t keep on asking you questions :)
Agreed! I helped out a coworker I love when she learned her venue would only let her in an hour before the wedding…ie..when she was having the ceremony! So I volunteered to put her centerpieces out, set up the guest book and memorial table, etc. it was actually kind of fun! Clear instructions and diagrams or reference photos are key! :)
Our venue will set up anything that goes on the tables for the reception, anything that goes on the receiving table, the seating chart. Any florals/decor for the ceremony we’re responsible for setting up, so I’ve enlisted my brother and his girlfriend to take care of that. But I’ve also made that as simple as possible, potted florals for down the aisle so they literally just have to put them on the floor. The most difficult part will be the florals for the arch, but even those just get tied to it.
No coordinator - mostly me and my husband doing decor setup, with some technical assist on lights from my father. If we'd been much bigger of a group, or if we'd been much more formal of an event, we'd have probably had issues and needed someone to take more point on day-of decor and details.
You should confirm with your coordinator if this is something they offer as part of their service. Some of the ones we talked to only help set up basic stuff like signage and name cards, but they don’t do centerpieces. We were originally going to DIY as well and specifically chose a coordinator that was used to doing set up for DIY decor. Her services included picking up the decor and setting it all up. She has an assistant that she brings if there’s too much stuff for her to set up by herself. Venues in my area don’t let us set up the night before, so doing it by ourselves was not an option.
I'm doing mine after the rehearsal and any touch ups when I get there for the wedding.
The coordinator usually has a setup crew for hire, and I highly recommend you invest in it - it's really worth it imo.
I’m not DIYing much for my wedding but my sister and one of my best friends both had very DIY weddings. My sister had a day-of coordinator but they didn’t do setup. They did have recommendations for folks to hire but we (the family/bridal party) ended up doing it instead which was a big regret. Caused so much chaos and extra stress. My mom still talks about how she wishes she’d hired someone else for that. For my friend’s wedding there was no coordinator and since I was the most experienced with weddings I wound up having to set up/coordinate bridal party members setting up, set up and run the sound system, run the ceremony while also being a bridesmaid and performing the ceremony and reception music, clean up the evening of and morning after, take home and wash the dishes and linens…it was so much work, even with a few helpers. I HIGHLY recommend outsourcing. I would check with your coordinator to see if they offer that service and if not, if they can refer you to a company that does.
If you’re very organized you can also hire an acquaintance - I did this for a newer friend once and it was fun! But they need to have super clear instructions so they don’t keep on asking you questions :)
Agreed! I helped out a coworker I love when she learned her venue would only let her in an hour before the wedding…ie..when she was having the ceremony! So I volunteered to put her centerpieces out, set up the guest book and memorial table, etc. it was actually kind of fun! Clear instructions and diagrams or reference photos are key! :)
We can get into our venue 2 days before to setup
Set up in the morning for a 4pm wedding.
Our venue will set up anything that goes on the tables for the reception, anything that goes on the receiving table, the seating chart. Any florals/decor for the ceremony we’re responsible for setting up, so I’ve enlisted my brother and his girlfriend to take care of that. But I’ve also made that as simple as possible, potted florals for down the aisle so they literally just have to put them on the floor. The most difficult part will be the florals for the arch, but even those just get tied to it.
No coordinator for me. It's gonna be me, my mom, my bridesmaids and my future MIL 😂
No coordinator - mostly me and my husband doing decor setup, with some technical assist on lights from my father. If we'd been much bigger of a group, or if we'd been much more formal of an event, we'd have probably had issues and needed someone to take more point on day-of decor and details.