Flipping the Ceremony/reception space

We are flipping our space, but the tables will not be put out until after the ceremony is over. The dance floor, however I think will be set up but it will be out of the way. Of the ceremony space.

We are having our ceremony & cocktail hour outside in a garden & reception inside. But in case of heavy rain we will do ceremony inside & flip the space during cocktail hour (which will be held in a different location). Our caterer reassured us that they’ve done it many times & that people never see any of it. They will have tables prepared with all decor & dinnerware before the ceremony. The tables will be hidden behind floor to ceiling curtain / draping that would be used to separate ceremony space from the rest of the room. This draping can actually look quite beautiful & make for a great indoor ceremony atmosphere.
I recommend you make a plan with your caterer & DOC, if you are having one.

We have draping that separates the spaces so no one will be able to see what is going on. At least that’s what they tell me.....and I hope they are right considering how much we are paying for the draping! 🤦🏾‍♂️

We may have to flip our space (weather depending) just like you. It sounds like it could be hectic, but I went to a friend's wedding last year where they did this, and the MC simply asked everyone to filter out of the main area and to grab a drink, and by the time everyone had been through the bars and/or said hi to a few people, they were done - we honestly barely even noticed there were people shuffling tables and chairs around.

I am doing the ceremony and reception in the same room. The tables won't be set up or visible at all though during the ceremony. The guests will go downstairs to the venues bar/lounge garden area for the cocktail hour while the room is flipped. Although it is cocktail hour the venue said it only takes them about 10-15 minutes to flip a room with all hands on deck - which leaves plenty of time for my coordinator to make sure everything is how I want it. The guests will all be in a completely different area so they won't see the flipping process either.