Skip to main content

Post content has been hidden

To unblock this content, please click here

Danielle
Beginner June 2020

Enough time to decorate?

Danielle, on September 22, 2019 at 9:11 AM Posted in Wedding Reception 0 10

My FH and I have been looking at places to hold our wedding reception since the ceremony will be in a church. The wedding is going to be small, about 50 people on the guest list. We have mainly been looking at private rooms in restaurants. We came across one that we really like except they said that we would only get 45 minutes to decorate. The other venues we have looked at have said that we could decorate the night before as long as no events were happening. The room is very nice so decorations will probably be simple, just centerpieces and some signs. The place sets up linens and table settings. What do you guys think? Do you think that this is enough time to set things up? Should we try to negotiate more time? I would definitely need to hire someone to decorate, but I'm worried that 45 minutes is not enough time. Thanks guys! It's stressful picking out a place for the reception!

VenueEnough time to decorate? 1

There is a bar in the backEnough time to decorate? 2


10 Comments

Latest activity by Danielle, on September 23, 2019 at 2:36 PM
  • Andrea
    Master January 2021
    Andrea ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    That's frustrating that they only give you 45 minutes to decorate the room, but it does look small enough that it can work, provided that there is more than one person decorating!! If you're doing only centerpieces and some signs, I think 45 minutes will be enough, especially if it were possible to construct your centerpieces and bring them assembled to the venue. Then all you'd have to do is put them on top of the tables. It's good the venue would already set up the linens and table settings! Very nice room, by the way! Love the cozy ambiance.

    • Reply
  • MOB So Cal
    January 2019
    MOB So Cal ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    I agree it depends on what kind of decorations you're planning. We had daughter's shower in the private room of a restaurant (25 guests). They took care of the tablecloths; with the help of two BM's I needed to put out runners, centerpieces, place cards, and set up the gift table, a table with photos/etc., and the cake table. We had 45 minutes. It was fine, but I would definitely have a DOC and plan every detail with them regarding deliveries and the set-up, and try to keep it fairly simple. You might ask the venue what they'd charge for you to book additional time and see if it's worth it to you. The room is pretty and looks like a "blank slate," so it won't take much! (I agree about ONLY considering centerpieces that basically just need to come out of a box and be set on the table -- no filling cylinders with water, arranging multiple items, etc.)

    • Reply
  • Amber
    Devoted July 2019
    Amber ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    I had a 10:30am ceremony with only an hour to decorate before! No bridal party, DOC or anything like that, just me and a few very helpful friends. I was a little stressed but everything turned out great! That looks like a beautiful space and something I would pick for myself!

    • Reply
  • Da Mom
    August 2022
    Da Mom ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    I think it can be done with simple decor. It’s a beautiful room! Definitely hire someone to decorate and clearly label all boxes with instructions on where things should go. I did this for my daughter’s wedding - I had plastic totes for the decor and on top I had a spreadsheet inventory list taped to the lid inside a plastic sheet protector with instruction on where to place items. I included photos I took at home of mock set ups. Each separate area (guest tables, welcome table, snack table, guest book/gift table, sweetheart table, bathroom items, cigar bar, etc) had their own totes. The coordinator loved how organized everything was and she did a great job executing our vision. I love the shiplap in this room!! Happy Planning!!

    • Reply
  • Fab
    May 2017
    Fab ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    It depends on how complicated your decor pieces and how many people can help you decorate. If you have simple decor like you are just putting centerpiece on the tables and a few cute sign around the bar than 3-4 people will be enough. Being super organized and delegate task will help decorating fly by.
    • Reply
  • Pirate & 60s Bride
    Legend March 2017
    Pirate & 60s Bride ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    I can’t imagine only 45 minutes to be honest. Even with sparse decor I’d think a minimum of 2 hours. We had 4 for our wedding & 3 at our local reception. We had heavy DIY decor but we were super stressed, even with a few helpers.
    • Reply
  • Danielle
    Beginner June 2020
    Danielle ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    Thank you everyone for the information and tips! I’ll have to discuss it with my fiancé. They will allow us to use the space for additional time. $200/hour so we could potentially pay for another hour and use that to decorate.
    • Reply
  • M
    Legend June 2019
    Melle ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    I think it's doable if you've got a team of people helping out.
    • Reply
  • KandiKrix
    Dedicated August 2020
    KandiKrix ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content

    I'd say that if you are able to extend that for another hour that should be plenty of time to have the place all decorated and ready to go with a few helping hands.

    • Reply
  • Danielle
    Beginner June 2020
    Danielle ·
    • Flag
    • Hide content
    View Quoted Comment

    That's what I was thinking too! Another hour would be great!

    • Reply

You voted for . Add a comment 👇

×
WeddingWire celebrates love ...and so does everyone on our site! Explore how we embrace diversity

Groups

WeddingWire article topics