Jul 283 min read

End-of-Day Wedding Details You Might Overlook (But Shouldn't)

Updated: Nov 6

After a long, exhilarating wedding day, the last thing you want to do is worry about taking down decorations and packing up personal items from the venue. Here are some tips to make the end of your wedding day smooth and stress-free.

Wedding party celebrating outside of 5 Family Ranch, Minnesota Wedding Venue.

1. Hire a Professional Decorator or Coordinator

One of the best ways to ensure a hassle-free end of the night is to hire a decorator or coordinator who will handle the setup and takedown of all decorations. This allows you to focus on enjoying your special day without worrying about the logistics. Check out or Trusted Vendors page for list of amazing wedding coordinators.

2. DIY Decoration Strategy

Beautifully decorated head table in large wedding reception venue in southwest Minnesota.

If you choose to decorate yourself, it's crucial to have a well-organized team for both setup and takedown. Here are some tips:

Designate a Competent Team: Assign a group of trusted friends or family members to help with the setup and, more importantly, the takedown.
Label Boxes and Totes: Clearly label all boxes and totes with what goes where to make packing easier.
Create a Packing List: Make a detailed list of items to pack and where they should go. This will help your team stay organized.
Plan the Takedown Timing: Not all decorations need to stay up until the end. For example, you can start packing up table centerpieces an hour or two before the event concludes while leaving table coverings in place.

3. Handling Leftover Food

Large capacity and affordable wedding reception banquet room.

Catered weddings often have leftover food. Here's how to handle it:

Bring Extra Containers: Gallon-sized Ziploc bags are perfect for fitting into coolers.
Special Container for Wedding Cake: If you plan to freeze the top tier of your wedding cake for your first anniversary, bring plastic wrap and a suitably sized container.
Cooler for Food Storage: If you're staying in a hotel or B&B, bring a cooler to preserve the food until you get home.

4. Bridal and Groom Suite Packing Tips

Bride with her bridesmaids in bridal suite at 5 Family Ranch Affordable Wedding Venue.

Make sure your suites are packed up or somewhat organized before the festivities begin:

Pre-Pack Before Pictures: Have you and your wedding party pack up all personal items before starting your pre-wedding photos. This ensures you won't have to rush to gather belongings at the end of the night.
Communicate with Your Party: Let your wedding party know that everything must be packed up and out of the venue by the end of the night. Suggest they pack their personal belongings before the photo session begins.

By planning ahead and delegating tasks, you can ensure that the end of your wedding day is as enjoyable and stress-free as the beginning. Enjoy every moment without worrying about the cleanup and packing!