Setting up the venue ourselves and getting ready?

I've been to weddings that are sort of like this but not quite so tight. both of them had access to the space the night before and everyone participated in setting up that night. but one of them was outdoors so not everything could go out at night. for this second wedding the guys including the groom, and the bridesmaids set up the space while the bride hid away indoors and I kept her company. I think it's doable if the space where they will all get ready is close by and you aren't making your wedding party sweat.

We have a similar set up. We’ll have a set amount of time on Friday to set up and rehearse, but then on Saturday we can’t arrive sooner than 1pm (with a 4pm ceremony start time). Once we get there on Saturday we’ll have to finish setting up before getting ready and taking pictures. Our families have offered to help, so we’re pretty confident that we’ll be able to do it ourselves. This is the time line I’ve put together.

Friday night- rehearsal, set up reception décor/tables (indoors)

Saturday

Morning: hair/make-up/lunch break

1:00 arrive at venue, set up ceremony site (including setting out chairs- outdoors so we can't set up the night before)

1:30 bride/groom/bridal party go get ready (our families will finish set up)

2:00 first look

2:30 formal pictures with bridal party and immediate family

3:30 guests start arriving (bride and bridesmaids go hide!)

4:00 ceremony start time

I think it's doable but you're definitely going to want all the help you can get. If you don't want your family to have to get there early, then you'll have to hire some help.

Thanks for the confirmation that I'm not totally crazy in trying to pull this off. I think with the help of family and friends we can make it happen.

Hi Ingreenink, Congrats! I understand how much weddings cost and you want to save every penny because most of us go over budget especially as we get closer little add- ons add up! I did everything myself for my wedding. It was outdoors and we had a plan to do everything early and on schedule but it poured and other things came up that threw us off course. I was running out putting out flowers on the table at 230 when my ceremony started at 4 but I didn't shower either. I would suggest paying someone 100-200$ and have them do it so you can relax and sip your champagne with the ladies! There will be so much going on and the time goes so fast it will be worth it. Happy Wedding!!!!!

We are doing something similar. We have the venue at 9am on the day of, though, so we have all morning and afternoon to set up. It can be done, just be sure to ask friends and family to volunteer to help.

Ask your caterer, or a bunch of your young cousins, nieces and newphews to be in charge of setting up the tables and chairs. I would definately assign specific people, specific jobs, at specific times. What if it rains that morning? Your hair?? Your make up?? Youll be a sweaty wet mess. Whats plan B?