Setting Up Ceremony Site

What is this task?

Setting up black benches and chairs at the Ceremony Site the day before a wedding.

Why does this task matter?

Needs to look clean without anything standing out

Uneven rows

Wrong chair count

When does this happen?

Before Event Day

Event day

Who is responsible?

Weekly staff

Reception Crew

Venue Manager

What do you need to do the task?

Black benches and chairs

Step-By-Step

1. Find the guest count on the Grid Sheet.

2. At the Ceremony Site, you will find black benches and chairs against the building. Place the first black bench on either side of the aisle, about 6 inches before the aisle widens to where the couple will stand. The bench should also be about 4 inches away from the aisle.

3. Place another black bench next to the first. The back legs of the adjacent benche should be touching.

4. Continue until you have placed 5 benches in a straight row.

5. Stand at the end of the row and ensure that the benches are in a straight line.

6. Repeat on the other side of the aisle.

7. To begin placing the second row of black benches, measure about 2 steps of space between the back leg of the bench in the first row and the front leg of the bench in the new row behind.

8. Repeat until all the benches have been placed.

9. Follow the same pattern with the black chairs. This time, place 10 chairs in each row. The black chairs should stand about 1 inch away from each other.

10. Continue this process until the number of chairs at the Ceremony Site matches the guest count.

12. Once you have reached the guest count, observe if each row has 10 black chairs. If the last row on each side of the aisle has less than 10 black chairs, fill that row so that it now has 10 black chairs.

13. If the guest count is high and more chairs are needed at the Ceremony Site, pull chairs from the Main Hall from the tables closest to the Ceremony Site.

14. To ensure that the guests are not overcrowded (especially on a hot day), add one more row of 10 chairs on each side of the aisle.

What does “done right” look like?

Ceremony Site is set up after the lawn has been mowed.

Ceremony Site is set up just 1 day before the wedding so that the grass doesn't die.

All benches/chairs in one row are oriented in a straight line.

The distance between benches/chairs are equal side to side and front to back.

Common problems or mistakes?

Unequal distances between benches/chairs.

Crooked rows.

Benches placed too close to where couple will be standing.

Benches/chairs placed too close to the aisle.

Related tasks?

N/A

Anything else someone should know about this task?

Benches and chairs are heavy! Only stack what you can carry.

This task is physically demanding, so complete with multiple staff members.