Day-of Set Up

Do you have a day of coordinator? They can often setup the decor for you!

View Quoted Comment So our venue does “day of coordination” but, apparently that doesn’t include our decorations

View Quoted Comment Is there someone you could hire to setup the decor for you? Check wedding planners in your area - they may be able to do a custom package that includes only decor setup (and tear down, if needed). Also, is the coordinator at your venue someone who will help keep your timeline on track, track down vendors who are late, answering questions from vendors on setup, helping coordinate your ceremony (telling people when to walk down the aisle, signalling to the DJ when to play specific songs, etc)? If not, this sounds like a venue coordinator, who is only there to ensure that the rules of the venue are being followed. If that's the case, I strongly recommend looking into a day of coordinator who is focused on helping make your day run smoothly.

View Quoted Comment The problem is I am already way over budget and don't know if that is financially going to be possible

View Quoted Comment Are you able to get into the venue the night before your wedding to setup at least some things (like centerpieces)? Or, do you have any family members or ushers who might be willing to go to the venue early on the day of the wedding (while you're getting hair/makeup done) to setup?

View Quoted Comment I think I am going to have to have people go over the morning of. There is a wedding the night before so I unfortunately don’t have that option.

I'm in a similar situation. But I did hire a Day-of coordinator who will be assisting. My plan is to go to the venue when I have access, which is at 9am. I will drop off the boxes of decor. I'm making sure everything is labeled and requires minimal guess work. The Day-of will have my instructions for where things go, but I'm asking a friend who is not in the wedding to help her. I'm not sure if I still want to go that route because I don't want my friends or family to be stressed. My DOC does offer staffers to help. I might ask her how much extra it will be and try to make it work in my budget.
When I go at 9 to drop off boxes, I'm also going to drop off my dress. I'm getting ready at an Airbnb a few minutes away with my bridal party where my HMUA will be meeting us. I made sure to choose a place that was nearby and had a good spacious area for us to get ready. I reserved for two nights - I'm staying there the night before the wedding with my parents and adult daughter. I'm planning for everyone to be finished with HMUA by 4:45. Then we all go to the venue. I will put my dress on there and take a breather. We line up for ceremony at 6.

I would ask a close friend or sister or someone like that. If it’s just centerpieces and signs I think it would go pretty quick.

I had the same issue. i ended up hiring a day of coordinator for 2 hours to do the set up for me.

As a bridesmaid, I have helped set-up and decorate several friends’ weddings, usually between our hair and makeup appointments and the ceremony start time. It was a bit rushed, but everything was always set-up in time. For my wedding, thankfully, we can set-up either before or after our rehearsal dinner, depending on if there is an event beforehand, and then anytime day of the wedding. Although I know DOCs are highly recommended, none of my friends hired one, but they all had family and/or friends help out, when needed.

I would hire someone, wether I be a distant friend that’s not invited or a trusted friend/family member of someone in the bridal party to set it up for you!

View Quoted Comment

Thank you Lisa!! I am now going to print this suggestion out and have it with me when I do my check in with our venue!! They (she) discouraged the expense of hiring a day of coordinator because they provide one .... but now this makes me concerned that their role isn't the same as I envision it to be.