Who is setting up the reception

You either hire a DOC or you get your DIY hands busy and DIY it.

My venue has a DOC and set up is included in her services. I'm going to take pictures of how I want everything to look (she actually suggested it, so there was no breakdown in communication). One of my requirements when looking for a venue was that they had in house set up and take down, I didn't want to have to worry about hiring another vendor.

I would check with your venue first to see if this is included. If not, I think it's worth the extra money to hire someone to set it up. You probably don't want the added stress on your wedding day.

So I can ask my DOC to set everything up for me? My set up is included. I really didnt know what her job was other than making sure it doesnt go horrible. i will call and ask. Thanks

Hire a doc.

The event coordinator at the venue is handling it. She listens and understands what I want

I am still trying to decide this for myself. I am a super control freak so part of me wants to be involved in the set up, but the other part of me wants to pay the resort to do it so my family and I can relax. (Let's be honest I will probably pay somebody)

If you have a DOC included, that's usually part of their responsibilities.

The coordinator at the venue is setting ours up.

Has it been stressful for any of you DIY ladies?

I had a DOC! Took off work the week of my wedding, created all table displays and took photos, then I emailed the photos to my DOC and venue so they knew exactly how I wanted table displays/DIY projects/decor/centerpieces/etc to look at the ceremony/cocktail hour/reception. It definitely made life a whole lot easier since I wanted things set up how I wanted them to look! If I had it my way, I probably would have set things up myself because I am a control freak

Ansley, I set up with MIL and H the day before the wedding and I wouldn't say it was stressful, but it was exhausting. If I could do it all over again, I would hire someone to do it for me.

ETA: typos

Not my wedding, but I helped with a very DIY wedding a few months ago and we were gluing together fake flowers and making those decorative paper puff balls 90 minutes before the ceremony. If you really want to do this, make sure you have PLENTY of time, and be willing to throw money at it at the end.

My venue handles all decorating as long as we tell them what we want/bring our own stuff 24 hours ahead of time.

What is a DOC? I'm having my reception at a bar but have been stressing on who will take the food and set it up.

Also if I should decorate since it's a bar.

DOC = Day of Coordinator

Our venue is setting up tables, chairs, linens, and China. I will be setting up decorations and centerpieces myself because I want it exactly how I invision. However, I am not making the decorations myself, just buying them and setting them up myself.

A DOC is a day-of coordinator! They are in charge of making sure everything goes smoothly on the day of the wedding and can help with your set-up!

@Ansley - when you say that set-up is included, is this something your venue said? I'd ask them more about what that means. My venue included set-up, but of their own stuff So they set up the tables, chairs, silverware, dinnerware, etc. - but my DOC was the one who set up all of my personal decor. If you go the solely DIY route, you will need more help setting up on the day-of, but if you go with more inclusive vendors and pay for them to set-up their products (like a rental company for napkins and linens) it may cost more but will save you stress and time!!

https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-ideas/etiquette-advice/types-of-wedding-planners

Hire someone. Insisting on doing this yourself is the surest way to have a chaotic, late mess.

Our venue was a full service hotel. We had a banquet manager assigned to us, who had 2 assistants. From what I read, they did all the usual DOC stuff. We also had a dining room captain. The florist/décor rental place did their own set-up and break down. I think the only DIY was ceremony programs, menus, and escort cards.