Venue dresser

We used Sherrie (from here) to do that for us. She did all sorts of things for us, large and small. She made the venue look beautiful and was on hand to ensure things ran smoothly. Worth the money for piece of mind alone!

I'd thoroughly recommend her and she covers the whole of the country, I believe.

Thanks missus. I didn't want to try to get quotes for people if the premise that I just wanted a good eye (and an extra pair of hands) was going to offend. I'm open to suggestions, obviously, but more trying to avoid both boy and I having to make trips to the venue in the morning to oversee/actually set out cakes/lanterns/garlands/etc. Have asked Mum(s) to do it but neither confident that they have the magic touch if something doesn't quite look right.

My wedding is a year away and the thought of organising all the small bits of dressing 4 rooms the night before or in the morning is stressing me out already. My family has offered to help but I would rather they didn't have to, I am so particular. A Venue dresser may be the answer.

I think the good ones are happy to do as much or as little as you need. I gave Sherrie a chunky list of what to do and not only did she do all of the things I wanted but she really did a load more. It looked far better than I hoped for and I'm very grateful to her for that.

I'm thinking of booking one as well. Quite possibly Sherrie if she's available.

I want things doing right and I don't know that the hotel staff will have the time or the 'eye' to do it just how I want it.

I agree with this. A little part of me is dreading coming into the room and things not being quite as I'd hoped. Would be happy for them to be different but equally good (if my original plan is unfeasible for some reason) but don't know anyone who is willing to make those decisions. It's the part of the day I simply can't control and I don't like that feeling.*

*Am sure there will be other bits I can't control but they aren't as predictable as this.

I was also considering this. Our venue said that, that is included as part of our package. I will make sure I meet with them before to let them know exactly what I would liek done

We do anything & everything that you want. All of your ideas are put into place using whatever you have bought. I have a list from you with all of your ideas and where you would like things to be placed, from centrepieces to favours, placecards, lighting, Table plans, flowers etc. It will be exactly as you have requested saving you the stress of having to do it yourself or organising guests, BM's etc.

I also deal with any suppliers and also work with the venue. You are shown into the room well before your guests who won't see it until you have actually approved everything, should you need anything moved we are there to do it for you.

This might help you to see what we actually do at a typical wedding:

http://aislebeyours.blogspot.com/2009/11/day-in-life-of-venue-dresser.html

Most venues who do weddings regularly are aware of the Bride and Groom wanting everything looking perfect and strive to do this for you as part of their service. You do need to give them specifics to work to so there is no room for misunderstandings. Regarding table centrepieces, if you are providing these yourself, then best thing is to take a photo of them placed on a table how you would like them to be set out and ask the venue to do it like that. If you're using a florist, they will have already discussed this with you before the day and they will deliver and set up as part of their service. Normal things such as favours, table names and numbers, place cards etc are usually set out by the venue. All they need is a plan from you and they will work to this. Cake ladies also deliver and set up as do chair cover ladies so no real need to get Mums involved unless they really want to. Usually, if you are marrying at the same place as the reception, you are shown the room before guests arrive anyway so you can make any last minute changes if need be. When my daughter got married, I went the day before to set up all the flowers because I didn't really want to be wearing my florists hat on the day of the wedding but my MOB hat When we arrived on the day, I had a quick check that the chairs were all finished and the cake lady had arrived which she had. I did a double check of the tables which the venue had done and they looked brill so no worries.

I do the same as sherrie, it isnt cheecky at all, we are here to help take the stress out of your day.

I see what you're saying, RF, but at least having a designated person there to oversee the aesthetics gives you some piece of mind. I loved the fact that once individual suppliers had done their thing (granted we didn't have many), I could rely on Sherrie to tie it all in to my vision (yep, sounds wanky but it's true).

Not only did she do the things I wanted her to do but she came up with ideas that none of us had thought of which really added to the day. There's no way I'd have wanted to lay that responsibility at my friend's or families' door - besides, we made sure they were too busy enjoying themselves the night before to have time! Just had a craving for a glass of bubbles then!

Absolutely if budget will stretch to it - Not knocking Sherrie in any shape or form - she's brilliant at what she does!

I didn't suggest you were knocking her!

We hadn't factored the cost of someone like Sherrie into our budget but I was pleasantly surprised at her costs. She was my wedding treat to me for peace of mind! (I shall gloss over the other treats I bought myself...)

I am having a budget wedding ie under 5K and I am having a wedding coordinator/dresser just to make sure everything go smoothly - and for what they are willing to do in the hours they work 5 have come to the conclusion they must be fairies with magic wands!

Thanks all for the replies. The party line from the venue is that will set up a table plan, favours and placecards (but only tented ones). They will not do anything that requires assembling/tying/folding etc. So pretty much everything else is down to us to set up. I'm not having a florist as I really couldn't begin to match the centrepieces we can hire from the venue:

I have ordered artificial flowers/vase for a ceremony display that needs setting up for the day and then moving downstairs to become our wishing tree at night. Plus then the boxes of tags/pencils to be laid out. Also, we are having a dessert table comprising cupcakes (which will be delivered and set up by our cake lady), macarons and dishes of sweets (both of which will have to be set up by us). But I need the dishes for the day to be used for fruit at the drinks reception. And I have garlands of flowers to be wound around the banisters. And lanterns to hang from the pergola. And a million votives to dot around prettily. Argh, I didn't realise how much I'd have to do!!!

ETA: just realised my table plan isn't going on a easel, it needs hanging. As does my family tree photos. And my "E & J" letter sets. And how do I get my cheese cake set up when the supplier won't deliver direct to the venue?

I NEED A COORDINATOR

Our florist is setting up the centre peices, cake women obviously setting up the cake, chair people covering chairs, and so all the venue have to do is place the favors where I would like them and the place cards and the menu - I am giving our venue a box per table which will contain all the extras and have sent instructions on what goes where not that its rocket science, the venue employees must do it 3 times a week so I trust them to not mess it up. I think if you are doing alot of your own stuff then having a weddong coordinator would be my choice I couldnt stand the hassle of worrying about it as it cant be done until the actual day and you have enough to contend with, I agree with CB its a small price to pay for peice of mind!

FTLOMB - Drop Sherrie an email! If you want to chat about it generally feel free to send me a message.

Just another note...

When my friend got married 3yrs ago (yesterday!), she let the venue's team set up the room. She gave them diagrams and sorted the bits and bobs into boxes for each table. And yet when her (then) H2B came into the room that morning to check, he noticed they'd put people in the wrong place and got things a bit wrong so had to sort it all out.

So think CB's right, it's good to know that someone's definitely got your vision and an eye for details...

FTLOMB when you write it all down it is actually quite a lot of work isn't it? I did the same and realised the few bits of decorating is LOADS! I have been prompted by your post to e-mail Sherrie too.

I'm on commission right, eh, Sher? ?

Phew FLOMB! That's a lot of stuff going on so, on second thoughts, you probably would need some help!