How to Pack Your Wedding Décor So It Actually Makes Sense on the Big Day
Because no one wants to be digging through cardboard boxes looking for “the other gold frame.”
Let’s be real: you’ve picked your playlist, booked your vendors, and maybe even practiced your first dance in the kitchen.
But there’s one sneaky task that can make or break how smooth your wedding day goes—packing your décor.
Whether you’re DIY-ing everything or just bringing in a few personal touches, how you organize and pack your stuff will either make setup a dream... or a total dumpster fire. So here’s how to do it like a pro (aka how I wish every client showed up to wedding day):
Step 1: Unwrap, Unbox, Un-sticker Everything
Yes, everything.
Take all your items out of their store packaging and give them a quick clean. Pull off price tags, stickers, plastic wrap—anything that could slow us down on wedding morning. That candle won’t light with the plastic still on it, promise.
Step 2: Pack by Where It Goes—Not by What It Is
Instead of tossing all your signs in one bin and all your candles in another, think:
Where is this going on the wedding day?
Label bins or bags like this:
Welcome Table
Ceremony Décor
Guestbook Setup
Bar Signs
Head Table
Reception Tables (bonus points if packed by table number)
Pro Move: Include a mock-up photo or sketch in the bin. A simple printout or screenshot taped to the lid is chef’s kiss.
Step 3: Make an Inventory List
This is not the sexy part of wedding planning—but it matters. Create a checklist that includes:
What each item is
How many you have
Where it goes
Who it belongs to (especially for borrowed or rented stuff)
Print a few copies—for you, your coordinator (hey!), and anyone helping with setup or teardown. It’s a total lifesaver when we’re trying to make sure Aunt Susan’s antique cake knife doesn’t disappear into the night.
Step 4: Use Bins You Can See Into
Clear plastic bins with lids are the gold standard. They stack well, hold up in transport, and make it easy to find what you need. Label each one in big, bold letters (top AND side), so we’re not playing wedding-day Jenga just to find your card box.
If your bins aren’t clear—no big deal. Just stay away from floppy cardboard boxes. They break, they sag, and they’re no one’s friend in damp grass or gravel.
Step 5: Mark Anything Fragile (Like, Loudly)
Glass vases? Mirrored signage? Candle holders? Wrap them up and label that bin FRAGILE on all sides.
Use bubble wrap, towels, packing paper—whatever keeps it from clinking in the back of your cousin’s Subaru.
Bonus Pro Tips: Small Things That Make a Big Difference
Pack backup tea lights or batteries for LED candles
Include pitchers if you’re doing floating candles—don’t make us use a champagne flute
Microfiber cloth + spray for mirrored or glass signage = no fingerprints in your photos
Add a mini trash bin if your guestbook involves film, wrappers, or peel-off backing
Doing assigned seating? Include a labeled table layout with guest names/seats—we love a good map!
Final Thought: Pack Like You Won’t Be There to Explain Anything
Because honestly? You shouldn’t be the one setting up chairs in your wedding dress.
Your wedding team can handle the setup—but we do it best when you’ve handed us a clear, organized plan.
So take an hour, pack like a legend, and set your future self (and your helpers) up for a smooth, stress-free day.
You’ve already nailed the vision—now let’s make sure it shows up, styled exactly how you imagine