Best Practices for Packaging and Preparing Your Wedding Décor
Wedding décor plays such a big role in setting the atmosphere and personalization of your wedding. From your welcome table to your reception centerpieces, these little details bring your vision to life. But making sure everything gets to the venue, is easy to set up, and even easier to pack away afterward takes a little strategy. With the right preparation, you’ll save time, avoid stress, and ensure everything looks just the way you imagined. Here are some tried-and-true tips for packaging and prepping your wedding décor.
1. Pack by Placement
Organization is key. Instead of filling bins randomly, label each one by location: Welcome Table, Ceremony, Cocktail Hour, Reception, Cake Table, etc. This makes it crystal clear where everything belongs, both during setup and at cleanup. Also, include a photo or quick sketch of how you’d like each area styled. Whoever is setting up will have an easy guide to follow, saving you from lots of questions. Of course, by hiring Moments and Milestones, we assist with the setup and are the direct point of contact for any of these questions.
2. Prep Décor Beforehand
The last thing you want to be doing on your wedding morning is opening packaging or hunting down batteries. A few small steps ahead of time make a big difference:
Remove tags, stickers, and plastic wrapping from items. This included LED candles and they are sometimes wrapped in plastic.
Insert batteries into LED candles and test the remote. Keep them switched off until the big day so the batteries do not get drained.
Place escort cards or place cards in alphabetical order before packing. This makes setup faster and more organized. It also helps the guests find their names.
3. Don’t Forget Water Needs
If you’re using décor that requires water like floating candles, pack a pitcher with your décor bins. Venues don’t always have a sink or hose nearby, and this little step can save a lot of time and mess when filling the vases.
4. Napkins and Linens: Think Ahead
Linens are one of the most overlooked but most impactful pieces of décor. Here’s how to handle them smoothly if you plan on purchasing or a pick up option from renting:
Napkins: If renting, try to pick them up a day early so you can pre-fold them. If purchasing, wash and fold them ahead of time. Here’s a great napkin folding guide if you’d like inspiration. Check out this link for some napkin folds.
Linens: Take linens out of packaging, wash them, and remove them immediately from the dryer. Iron each one—washing only 2–3 at a time for best results.
To store, either fold them onto hangers or roll them around a pool noodle to avoid deep creases.
5. Linen Sizing Guide for Tables
Knowing what size linen fits each table helps you avoid surprises:
60” Round Table → 120” Linen
6ft Rectangle Table → 90×132 Linen
Cocktail Table → 120” Linen
How to Fold Round Linens for a Hanger:
Fold in half (taco shape).
Bring the round side toward the straight edge to form a rectangle.
Fold in half lengthwise.
Fold in half the opposite direction to fit on a hanger.
Here’s a helpful step-by-step guide with visuals: How to Fold a Round Tablecloth.
6. Make Cleanup a Breeze
When décor is sorted by placement, cleanup becomes so much quicker. Ideally, each item goes right back into its labeled bin, making unloading at home neat and organized. Of course, wedding days are busy and things don’t always go exactly to plan. By the end of the night, your friends and family may be jumping in to help pack up—which is wonderful, but often a little hectic. The good news is that with clearly labeled bins, even in the middle of the post-reception hustle, it’s usually simple to get everything packed up safely and back home without stress.
Final Thoughts
Preparing décor isn’t the most glamorous part of wedding planning, but it makes a huge difference on wedding day. By labeling bins, prepping items ahead of time, and taking care of linens in advance, you’ll set yourself (and your helpers) up for success. The best part? You’ll spend less time stressing and more time enjoying your celebration since you were prepared.