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In addition to considering where all your guests will be during the wedding ceremony and reception, you must also plan for space for your wedding professionals.
Space for Your Wedding Caterer
The caterer is the vendor bringing the largest number of staff members on your wedding day. The caterer will need space to set up, serve, and clean up the meal and drinks. It is important to place the caterer in a logistically smart location, both for your budget and for your guests’ experience. You will want the caterer’s space to be close to the reception area so that your food arrives at the correct temperature. You also want to avoid additional costs by having to hire extra staff to move the meal a far distance.
A garage or basement very near the wedding activities is a great option. If a garage or basement is not available, consider setting up a catering tent, usually 30 feet by 30 feet, with lighting. It will also need fans in warm weather or a heater in cool weather. A catering tent also needs a floor because important catering equipment comes on wheels.
Space for Your Other Wedding Vendors
Your tent provider will likely set up a small prep tent for themselves, as a place to run the wires for the lighting, heaters/fans and generator. Sort of like that unsightly mess of cords behind our TVs, you’ll definitely want this space out of your guests’ view.
If you decide to hire a band for your reception, they will likely require a dressing or “green” room. It is appropriate to ensure this area is private, has a full-length mirror, and includes a table and chairs so they can eat dinner there. It’s also helpful to have a designated space for the remainder of the vendor team to store equipment and to eat in. If you are comfortable with it, a space inside your home will work well for these two needs. Alternatively a trailer could be rented or another small staging tent could be set up.
All your vendors will need to use the restroom on your wedding day. So your restroom plan needs to include them. Some staff will arrive in set up attire and need to change into more formal wear later.
Photo made by Katie Stoops.
