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Dedicated July 2020

Ceremony set up and reception set up

Elizabeth, on August 23, 2019 at 9:12 PM Posted in Do It Yourself 0 22

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Hi!
My FH and I are pretty much planning and paying for our wedding on our own. So far it estimates our budget around 8500, but I’m hoping it’ll be too overestimated. We are both a little stressed about set up and tear down (for ceremony because of it being at a park; reception will be at the armory and have a janitor to clean). Do we ask for help from our parents or do we need to hire a wedding planner? We just need seats set up at the location and then taken down and brought to the reception. I am sure we will borrow chairs. Also nervous about not having any shade/cover if it’s raining. Our wedding will be June 27.2020 at a park with a raised gazebo. We are super excited about it, yet anxious with all of these details and unsure of how it will all come together in the end! Thanks in advance for suggestions/advice/thoughts.

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Latest activity by Julia, on August 25, 2019 at 3:35 PM

Dedicated March 2022
Eva L. · on August 23, 2019 at 9:24 PM
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I'm having trouble thinking of setting up and tear down, we are thinking of hiring a coordinator or decorator. I don't think you need a planner for tear down only. Best of lucks.
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VIP October 2020
Samantha · on August 23, 2019 at 9:25 PM
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If you can, hire a DOC. It’s a big day for everyone and if possible it’s great to let your friends and family just enjoy the day. It will also take some of the stress off of you since you won’t have to supervise.
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Dedicated July 2020
Elizabeth · on August 23, 2019 at 9:26 PM
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Thanks so much! I know there won’t be a lot to set up, but am just worried we will be setting up and then have to get ready ourselves!
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Dedicated July 2020
Elizabeth · on August 23, 2019 at 9:27 PM
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Definitely will look into it. We really just need the seating at the ceremony, which the venue we are at may possibly be able to help. I will know more in a few months, but do not need the stress as you stated!
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Legend November 2019
Caytlyn · on August 23, 2019 at 9:32 PM
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I would hire a DOC for setup and tear down. If you can’t fit one in your budget, you could hire a small group of students or someone from Thumbtack for relatively cheap. You definitely need to come up with a rain plan. Have you looked into a tent?
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Beginner November 2021
Lauren · on August 23, 2019 at 9:34 PM
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We are doing all the decorating/ set up ourselves and paid our caterer to do the tear down! Most catering companies I interviewed offered that as a possible option. I think it’s costing us an additional $200. I’m not sure how close your two locations are but thought I would pass this suggestion along
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Dedicated July 2020
Elizabeth · on August 23, 2019 at 9:36 PM
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With the reception being at the armory, we will possibly be able to set that up the day before, but not sure about the ceremony itself. I realize it is ok to ask for help and may talk to my parents about it as well. We thought about reaching out to family to see if they’d like to help, but do not want to take away from the day. An 11:30 start time is early and I’m starting to second guess the time. 🤦🏼‍♀️
We are also looking into renting a tent, but that isn’t set in stone yet.
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Dedicated July 2020
Elizabeth · on August 23, 2019 at 9:37 PM
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Thanks!!! Our ceremony and reception venues are close to each other!
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Devoted October 2019
Summer · on August 23, 2019 at 9:50 PM
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We are having the whole immediate family help us set up and tear down
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Dedicated July 2020
Elizabeth · on August 23, 2019 at 9:56 PM
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Awesome!! I wasn’t sure if that would be asking too much.
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Expert September 2019
Rachel · on August 23, 2019 at 10:37 PM
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We're doing most of our own setup as well--not tables and things, but some fairly intense decor. They're letting us come in the day before to put it up, and they're letting us wait to take it down till the day after. In instances like yours and mine, I've seen the bridal party and parents chip in to make it happen. Thanks for actually reminding me that I need to ask the bridal party who will be available and willing for setup and/or tear down.... setup obviously being the bigger deal.
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Super July 2020
D · on August 23, 2019 at 10:55 PM
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Ideally a DOC would be great but not always affordable to help with set up and break down. I would ask dependable people to help if that is the case. Make an organized plan and go over it ahead of time so everyone knows what to do when they show up.
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Dedicated July 2020
Elizabeth · on August 23, 2019 at 10:57 PM
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You’re welcome! That makes me feel a little less stressed, but glad that I’m not alone with this!!
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Dedicated July 2020
Elizabeth · on August 23, 2019 at 10:59 PM
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Most definitely! This has been a stressor for FH and I the last couple days talking and getting things squared away!
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Legend June 2019
Melle · on August 23, 2019 at 11:11 PM
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We rented chairs but we had our family and wedding party help set them up. However the chair rental place said if we wanted them to do it they would chair a fee.
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Legend June 2019
Melle · on August 23, 2019 at 11:11 PM
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Charge a fee per chair to just set it up*
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Dedicated July 2020
Elizabeth · on August 23, 2019 at 11:16 PM
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That is what I fear. By having a budget already and trying to do as much on our own as we can. A planner is ideal, but both venues are limited in very ways. So I’m going to just have to make sure I know everything and cross fingers I’ll get help from family and wedding party!
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Super October 2020
Megan · on August 25, 2019 at 7:12 AM
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Hi! Congrats on your upcoming wedding!

If you’re looking to save money, I would avoid a wedding planner. You don’t need one, you can do this! (: There are Day Of Coordinators who can make your day a breeze though. A couple of friends of mine recently got married and they said their DOC was invaluable.

I’m not hiring a wedding planner or DOC. My caterer comes with a coordinator, luckily.

I hope all goes well!! Good luck!
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Dedicated July 2020
Elizabeth · on August 25, 2019 at 11:10 AM
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Thank you!!! I appreciate the encouraging words and reassurance!!! Best of luck to you as well and congrats!
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Beginner July 2021
Julia · on August 25, 2019 at 3:27 PM
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I was in a wedding party where the bride and groom asked a few friends and relatives to help with the set up and take down. People were happy to help and they gave them a small thank you gift for helping which was cheaper than hiring someone.
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Ceremony set up and reception set up

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