Who does the set up/take down?

We definitely took this into consideration. All of the venues we are considering offer a DOC who will take care of this for us.

Our ceremony venue that we are considering (haven't signed the contract yet) comes with a DOC, she will be the one that does it according to the contract she gave us.

Either you do it, or you hire someone to do it. We chose to do it ourselves. We kept the decor simple, so it could be taken down quickly once the ceremony was over.

I think we're just going to do it. I'm not above moving stuff around, even on my wedding day, haha.

2D Bride and Angie,

Are you going to have your guests begin the reception part then while you take things down? How do you envision it?

If I did it myself, I'm thinking I would have to have everyone head to the reception site and then quickly take everything down before joining. I hate to do it myself, but I'm not sure how I could go about hiring someone. Everyone I know well enough to hire will be a guest so that's the tricky part.

I'm paying someone. Or you can be like our friends who made the trashed bridal party do it after the reception without warning them first. It was super!

We had a day of coordinator for all of this. She was great and came with my venue. If I didn't have her I totally would have hired someone.

Sierra, it took us maybe 5 minutes to take down the ceremony decor. Everyone had to drive from the ceremony location to the reception. People dawdled enough over getting into their cars (stopping to talk to each other, etc.) that we actually showed up at the reception location the same time as everyone else.

If your venue doesn't offer someone who does that, then if your budget allows you to hire a DOC who will take care of all the logicistics (did I spell that right) or if not just ask to see if any of your family/close friends can lend a hand

We hired a DOC who comes with 2 assistants, and they will handle the set up/take down along with the rest of the vendors. I told my FH I wasn't doing it, and my mom wasn't going to do it, so we either hire a DOC or he can do it. So we hired a DOC, haha.

My family and friends are the next day (because they're awesome like that)

We have our included site coordinator as well as our (paid) DOC setting things up and taking things down for us. I believe our DOC will also have an assistant with her that day, since she's also our florist.

Our reception and ceremony were in different buildings on the same property. Family chipped in and helped clean up. It was really quick. They also all came the day before to help set-up. I don't think you need to pay for a DOC for such a minimal job.

We Hired a DOC because my FH refused to do it, an i agree. i dont want to worry about how things are going to get cleaned up at the end of the night. if i had not already hired my DOC before my Caterer i would have just gone with him, he and his crew also take care of setup and take down. my DOC i think will me more in charge of the center pieces and decor

Hoping I can set it up on Thursday during rehearsal if chapel is not rented for a Friday wedding. That being said, I have about 6 teenage boys in my family who will be asked to help. Not much to remove, pew bows, some tulle and flower arrangements and pick up the flower petals thrown by FG. My BM has offered her hubby and sons to help also. My family cleans up the mess at holidays before leaving the hostesses house, like do the dishes up before leaving the house for Thanksgiving. It is just the way we are, Everyone pitches in and helps.

We included "full service" with all of our vendors. That way they deliver all of the stuff, set it up. and break it down. One less thing I have to worry about.

We were able to set up the day before and take down the day after which was one of the reasons we chose our venue. Our family and BP helped us. Also the caterer took responsibility for all of their equipment so tables, chairs, linens, etc.

Really all you have to worry about are the things you want to save. Most of our decor we trashed so it took about ten minutes to clean up.

Both of our venues had their own coordinator to do this but we also arranged for a few of my moms friends to be in charge of getting the items into our cars to take home afterwards

That's something you have to figure out of your venues!

We are getting married and reception in one location. Are you hiring a decorator for the ceremony space because they will set up and tear down.

Our venue advised they will set anything up we want to bring (I think they will take it down too and you can pick it up the next morning). However my two decorating companies will come and set up their items and come back and take down their items. So, besides taking things that I don't want to leave at the venue for the night is what I will need to take back with me to the hotel the night of the wedding.

It really depends on what the items are and where they came from. For example, when we install large floral arrangements at the ceremony and the bride wants them to go to the venue afterwards, we will do that for her for a reasonable fee. A DOC may also be able to do it for you.