WE LIVE IN USA
Overrunning teardown is charged by the hour and comes straight out of the deposit: the couple shouldn't still be packing up that night
The wedding ending doesn't mean the day is over. There's still teardown, cleaning, and returning rentals, and if those aren't arranged, the cost comes straight out of your deposit.
Four things to establish when you sign
- The deposit amount and the conditions for its returnBe sure to confirm exactly what gets deducted and how much.
- The cleaning standardWhat state must the space be left in? Does the trash go with you?
- The teardown deadline
- Return times for rentalsTables, chairs, lighting, tents (see item 98 of the checklist)
How penalties are calculated
Overrunning teardown is commonly charged per hour and deducted directly from the deposit.
And a partial hour usually counts as a full one. The wedding runs half an hour late, teardown drags another half hour, and that's an hour's penalty.
Rented tables and chairs not returned as agreed are also charged. If the rental company's pickup window doesn't line up with the venue's teardown deadline, that gap is your responsibility, so make sure to coordinate both schedules.Align those two times in advance (see the load-in and load-out windows in item 45 of the checklist).
Who's responsible
Designate a friend or relative in advance, or add teardown service to the coordinator's package.
❗ The couple shouldn't still be packing up that night.
This is a matter of principle: you've been going since dawn, and there's still a honeymoon to prepare for and relatives from Taiwan to host. Teardown is delegable work and shouldn't land on you.
If your coordinator doesn't include teardown service, adding it usually costs a few hundred dollars. But given the state you'll be in that night, this money is well worth it.
The list of things to collect
Write it out in advance and give it to whoever's responsible, or something will be left behind:
- Gift money and valuablesThis item is the most important, and it should be counted and banked that night (see item 114 of the checklist)
- GiftsPhysical presents brought by guests
- The dress and changed clothingThe dress needs to go for cleaning within 1 to 2 weeks (see item 129 of the checklist)
- Personal itemsEmergency kit, document folder, chargers
- Decor and rentalsFrames, signs, candles, and place cards.
- Leftover favors and cake
- The marriage licenseIf it was signed that day and hasn't gone to the officiant yet, this is the one thing you definitely can't leave behind (see item 126 of the checklist).
Particular to Chinese weddings
If there's a tea ceremony, someone needs to be responsible for the tea set, the kneeling cushions, and the gold jewelry or red envelopes given by the elders (see items 43 and 114 of the checklist). These usually aren't on an American teardown list and venue staff won't notice them.
The next day
Assign someone to handle the following day's loose ends: returning rentals, taking the rest home, confirming the deposit refund with the venue. None of it has to happen that night, but someone has to remember.
In one line
Delegate teardown, write a collection list, and bank the gift money that night. The only thing you two should be doing that night is getting some rest.