Outdoor setup

Amanda, it's rude to invite guests to a wedding and give them tasks to do for you.

Leslie, the way this works is we get to comment on any aspect of your post, even if it wasn't what you specifically asked.

View Quoted Comment You can comment on anything. I never said otherwise. I am also allowed to reply to those comments. However, according to the guidelines, all comments are supposed to be helpful and remain positive and respectful. Of course there will be differences in opinions, which is perfectly fine. I also realize assumptions will be made. I am allowed to state that these are assumptions. It doesn't mean I'm upset.

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There are differences of opinions, such as which flowers look better etc, but there are also people who are just trying to help you not treat your guests poorly, which has less to do with opinion and more to do with just being a good host.

I didn't like the advice I got when I first started here either, but I'm having a better wedding for it, and being on this site has really made me realize what is important when hosting guests, and how to treat them well.

Your guests will not enjoy using what will be a disgusting bathroom with a long line an hour into your wedding and they will not enjoy being crushed into a covered porch if the weather is poor.

Please re-think your plan for the sake of your guests. No one will ever tell it to your face, but I promise if you host a mess of a wedding reception it will be talked about being your back for years to come.

View Quoted Comment If th tent isn’t in the budget then find another indoor option. A fire hall? Church fellowship hall?

I know you're mainly seeking set up advice but let me please stress to you that you have other options! You can have a cheap DIY wedding, and be able to accommodate bathrooms for guests. Check with your local city/county, many cities now have rentable banquet halls, or parks with facilities in case of rain! My ceremony is at a park, by a gazebo, with the reception indoors at a lodge in the park. If it rains, the ceremony will be inside. We have 125 invited guests and ten bathrooms. Total cost for venue? 800. I think you'll spend more than $800 trying to make your backyard work.

Also, consider trimming the guest list. It's better to have a smaller wedding where your guests are comfortable than not.

That being said, you can set up most things the night before. Do the linens first thing in the morning. Have centerpieces assembled, and in boxes for each table. If your ceremony is at eleven, you'll have to wake up early. Hair and makeup will take at least two hours, if not more, and if you're helping with the set up you'll have to account for that as well.

Backyard weddings are doable, a coworker had hers in her dad's backyard and she said it was nice, but stressed that it's a LOT of work. their guest list was also much smaller.

No one should be put to work, so there should be no one to manage. Hire a day of coordinator and line item out what you need help with (decor) and they will give you a price. The bridal party/parents are guests and should be treated as such.

View Quoted Comment My grabdma/mom/aunt will be helping with setup- they asked if they could help and are looking forward to it. Guests should treated as guests, but some want to help, too!

Your wedding is similar to mine
I wanted to have mine at the house but I decided against it cause of only 2 bathrooms for 60 some ppl
The yard is large but not very level I worried about the older ppl like grandparents not walking safely around.
However you could rent portapotties for extra bathrooms
I'm having mine at a fire hall now it was only 125.
I'm doing all of my decor and set up too my mom and dad will help me the morning of
My mom will help me decorate the tables easy stuff like table cloths, centerpieces, table settings and food
If nice outside my dad will help me put up an outside arch if we can have an outside ceremony and decorate that
I' gonna need him to help me carry and arrange chairs for the guests out side too
I figure less than 3 hours of work for that then maybe 2 hours getting ready
Better to have extra time than be rushed

I just wanted to come say I bet this bride had the best wedding ever!