Who does decorations?

Hi Vanessa!!! Welcome to WeddingWire!!! I think it really depends on the situation. If you are planning on having a wedding planner or a day of coordinator, decoration - whether DIY or bought - would fall on to them. You would tell them how you want it laid out and while you're getting ready and getting married, they get everything settled for you.

I have been to weddings where the venue set up the decorations similarly to what a DOC would do, but I've also been to a wedding where we set up the decorations after the rehearsal the night before.

Our florist sets up flowers and our DOC sets up our decorations. Our catering staff sets up tables & chairs & linens & china.

If you are wanting a DIY wedding it would be your responsibility to corral your bridal party to help decorate with friends and family. Otherwise you can check with a wedding planner and see if they have a decorating option or if your using a rental company to see if they will.

Our venues (we had a destination wedding then a local dinner reception a few months later) set up tables, chairs, linens. We had a TON of DIY decor/props for our themed events and it took 3 of us 4 stressful hours to set-up at our DW and 5 of us 2.5 hours to set up at our reception. We had friends help us.

If your venue has decor of their own, which most do have their own centerpieces, they will set them up, otherwise its not their job to set them up

I just ran into this issue at my wedding. I had a ton of DIY decor and also used my own vintage items on the table instead of traditional centerpieces. It was a wonderland theme, so we had clocks and large ornaments having from a tree. We brought the items to the venue, the florist placed the items that went on the table, my friends and I spent 5 hours unpacking, decorating and hanging things. My wedding planner barely lifted a finger to help set up our break down. She didn't even get the candy table up in time before guests arrived. I was massively disappointed as i was led to understand she would do substantially more and that I would walk into a finished reception venue that was beautiful. If you hire someone, make sure they have help or find some people on thumbtack or Tasker. I suggest you be there if possible and if you have a particular vision in mind to ensure it happens. If not, be very clear about expectations up front.

Depends on your venue type? Is it an all inclusive type venue or at least provides food/beverage/tablecloths/dinnerware? Or do you have a bare bones venue? The venue will set up the tables chairs linens and dinnerware, florist sets up the florals. Anything else you can easily do with your bridal party before the wedding? Unless your venue offers a DOC then they can set that up. If you have a bare bones venue you might want to look into a DOC if you can only be on the property to set up the day of cuz then you might not have enough time.

Check with your venue. I didn't think ours would set up our "brought from home" items - figured they would just do the basic decorating, set up, etc. and I knew our florist would obviously set up our flowers, but it turned out that our venue coordinator was willing to do the setup and decorations of anything we brought them as long as it was in their hands with instructions before the end of the business day on the day before the wedding. Saved us a lot of time and hassle, because my bridesmaids and I had already divided up all of the responsibilities and it was going to be scramble city!

View Quoted Comment Wonderland theme? Do you have a BAM (back after marriage) photo page here I can see?

I’m doing diy decor and getting up early to set up with my bridal party. We’ll have some stuff out the night before as well.

I'm working through a similar situation right now! I'm planning on having a floor layout to give to my "decoration committee" (a few friends who aren't in my bridal party). They'll have the layout and written instructions as to where to place things. Each table will have its own box with its decorations / centerpieces already inside. It's a little more work for me on the front end, but it lessens the chances for a mix up and will hopefully make things easier on my girls so they can finish quickly and have a cocktail

I'll be setting up my decorations and entrance the day before, right before the rehearsal. That morning, I'll do a little walk through to double check everything's just as I imagined it would be. If there's anything that needs to be added or tweaked, I'll have my personal attendant take care of that. Hope this helps!

I would check with your venue and see if they have anyone there able to assist or see if you are able to go earlier than you would for the rehearsal the day before and set up then.

View Quoted Comment I don't, but here's a few shots and I can pay more. It's such a fun theme because nothing has to match and you can do anything!!

This was what finally broke me and convinced me to get a "Day of Coordinator". I originally planned to set up and decorate everything the day before but now my venue is saying they can't guarenty me access and even if I can get acces, the tables and chairs won't be able to be set up so everything has the be done the morning of while we are doing hair and makeup!

I am doing all my decorations and having 15-20 people come before the ceremony to help me set everything up.

We are setting up our decor for the reception the night before the wedding (this also happens to be a hotel we are staying at, and its 20 minutes from home). The DIY stuff will be me and some of my bridesmaids and my wedding planner. She has already agreed to come help the day before which is awesome. I have sooo much stuff! I boucht a tote with wheels and have borrowed a dolly from my dad! Fh has agreed to help us with the heavy things! I am actually really excited to set up my space the night before! (I know it sounds weird, but that is one of the parts I am most excited about)

Thank you all for the suggestions! My venue cannot guarantee that I can get in the day before and technically the contract also says that the earliest we can come is 4 hours before the wedding, but they said that we could probably come sooner. They are providing tables, chairs, and linens, but none of the decorations. We are planning on hiring a florist, but it was very expensive to have them do all the centerpieces so I wanted to do it myself instead. Sounds like a DOC may be the way to go!

View Quoted Comment

How fun & whimsical! Please post a BAM page when you have a chance, and the photos. That photo painting is COOL. Can you explain that last photo? Did you get that painting done AT your wedding reception?

Our vendor provides all the tables, chairs, linens, dishes, glassware, etc. Any decorations are up to us to provide and set up. Most venues will give you a window of time to come in and decorate your space. Sometimes a few hours before, other places allow you to come in the day before.