Reception set up??

I'm kinda in the same situation...Our venue charges by the hour as well including set up time. My caterer offered to do the set up but it is going to add to the cost of the catering. We are doind centerpieces ourselves as well so I'm nervous about how we are going to get them to him and how much af a hassle it will be. If anyone has ideas I would also love to hear them

I agree about not having a friend set up if they are not invited to the wedding. Can you have a couple strong guys and creative gals go after the ceremony to set up whilst the guests wait with drinks and hors'd vors?

Hubby and I haven't found a venue yet but I want the decor to be DIY because it's alot going on with the decorations and I know if I leave it to someone else it won't be right. 2 of my aunts, 4 cousins and hubby's niece are going to decorate the venue. Just go online and get an idea of how you want the reception set up them think of a couple ppl who you and your FH think would be able to pull it off. I appointed this job to my family... as soon as hubby and I say "I do" they're gone.

Here's photos of my ideas...

So nice! I really like it so much.

Yea those r my colors

I was thinking the same thing they have to leave after the ceremony n keep the guests at the ceremony site till setup ready

If you can,maybe ask friends if they have a friend who might want to make a little extra $ on the side, and see if they would be willing to do your set up...

What about friends of friends? i hired my friend's niece to be my coordinator b/c i didn't want to put my invited guests to work. and her niece wouldn't have otherwise been invited to our wedding. do you absolutely HAVE to book your setup time into your reservation?

How much time will pass b/t the start of your ceremony and the start of the reception?

I'm in this pickle too. Also with helping serve food at the reception. I think I'm going to ask my brothers good friends to help, pay them a little, and then let them stay for the reception (eat, drink).

Mrs TJ, great ideas and beautiful set up ! im hoping to have a few friends go finish any set ups while some other friends "host" the cocktail hour while we finish the photos. we plan to join them in progress.. hope it works out for all !

Just a word of caution to those who are using friends and family to help with set up. Yes, this is a great idea and helps to defray costs but please be sure that your friends know what is all involved. If your ceremony and reception are at the same location, then who ever is setting up may have to miss all or some of the ceremony to go over and help with set up. (They may or may not like that). As for having family help with the serving... again make sure they aware with all involved. Is it simply putting food on guests plates in a buffet line or serving guests at tables and/or setting up the food, warming racks, chaffers, plates, etc.. etc... Its best to get an older niece/cousin (age range 17 to 23) to do this type of thing. They can earn a quick buck and may not care too much about the labor involved. Good luck to all!

Well I must say that really sucks! How much is it per hour? Maybe its not even worth the stress if its not too much?

As a planner, I am seeing this alot lately. I agree with Kyne of Vowed to you, they may or may not like this. I've been hired by a few couples just to come in and do the set-up rather than the DOC I normally offer. I don't mind because I'm in the business to help alleviate stress for my couples and this is one of the biggest stressers. Definitely try to find cousins, acquaintances (maybe college kids) who need to make a few extra bucks to set-up early for you. Definitely have an idea of how you want it to look and supply them with pictures to get so that your vision is as close as possible.