How much time to set up venue?

I think 2-3 hours to be safe.

We have a 4 hour window but that's because we plan to string lights from the rafters. If we weren't doing that, I'd say 3 hours.

Okay, thank you! Also, I should have added that I'm crazy when it comes to things looking like how I pictured them in my head. Should I just draw out diagrams and let other people handle the set up or should I plan to just help set up myself? A lot of people have told me that the bride should focus on getting herself ready but I just wanna be sure everything is where I wanted it to be

You shouldn't be doing anything the day of except getting ready and relaxing. Do not set up yourself. Who would setting up for you? We went to our venue a couple weeks before and our DOC wrote down everything we wanted everywhere. We made mock tables to show her what our vision was. They got everything perfect. You just have to be detailed in your description to whomever is going to be setting up for you.

I would not wait until one hour before the ceremony. No way! Talk about stress!

Who is actually going to do it? What do you have to set up?

My MOH has offered to direct the set up until the one hour before the ceremony because she of course needs to get ready herself. Also my immediate family has offered to help set up the decor. There really isn't too much just the centerpieces and random things throughout but then again the wedding is 9 months out so who knows what I will decide to add. Please be honest and let me know if this still sounds like a disaster waiting to happen lol as I would rather figure it out now than stress the day of.

I would hire a DOC to take care of it. If you don't want to hire a full fledged DOC, see if there's anyone who offers wedding design or decorating services. You may be able to save some money on decor by using some things they have too.

It's going to be INSANE for your family and wedding party to try to set up that day. At my brother's wedding, we started decorating and setting up at 10 am the day before the wedding... Quit for the rehearsal at 5 and my mom and I still got stuck finishing things up the morning of the wedding. I was the MOH and late for pictures due to it. Don't do it!!!

I agree a DOC could handle all of this for you and keep you stress free the day of. You don't want to be handling this the day of yourself, nor do you want your bridal party or family having to handle it either. I would look into it if you can.

This was my kryptonite the day of the wedding. We had gotten quotes for a DOC but couldn't fit it in our budget. FH and I weren't seeing each other before the wedding so I was planning to do the setup myself and allowed myself about an hour and a half.

The staff hadn't set up the tables yet and any tables that were set up didn't have tablecloths on them. I was quite literally assembling centerpieces on tables as soon as they finished ironing each tablecloth. Not only that, I forgot some components for the centerpieces at the B&B where we were staying; my bridesmaids were angels and brought them over while I was doing my makeup. (I still thank them every time I see them for saving me that day). Everything else went smoothly that morning, thank goodness.

From my personal experience, if you're expecting an hour to not be enough, I'd say allow 3 or 4 hours. You can always sit back and relax if you have extra time, but it's not worth it to rush around and (sad) cry on your wedding day. Trust me!

And obviously if you can afford a DOC, DO IT!!!

(ETA clarification)

Is your reception outside? Our venue handles set up, but since it's outside they say they wait to set up the tables until later in the afternoon to avoid the tables being out all day with bugs, birds, and wind to deal with. The plan is for them to set up around 2-3 hours before the ceremony. That should be enough time for a small group of people to set up. However, the bride should not have to deal with that on top of everything else, so have someone else take charge of it.

Don't try to help with the setup. leave detailed instructions. provide pictures if you have, and trust your friends. Your BP should not be getting ready. and keeping you calm.

@Melanie Our reception is indoors. Thank you all for the advice. I didn't think hiring a DOC was a huge deal but I will definitely look into adding it to the budget now as it seems like it will save a bunch of stress!