The wedding took place in a beautiful orangery, surrounded by light, greenery, and a truly special atmosphere. A place full of charm – but also full of responsibility. Because the venue was not staffed. Nevertheless, it was an exciting and wonderful experience to organize a vegan wedding in the orangery.
As wedding planners and designers, we supported this wedding from the very beginning. Not only during the planning and consultation phase, but also on-site — from the first chair we set up to the final breakdown in the early morning hours the following day. And that is exactly why today we would like to take you behind the scenes into the reality, the magic, and the lessons learned while planning this beautiful wedding.
Orangeries are breathtaking: lots of glass, lots of light, and a strong connection to nature. Yet this beauty also comes with its own challenges.
In this case, chairs and tables were already available — a big plus. However, what is often underestimated is that even existing furniture must be organized, positioned, fully set up, and dismantled again afterwards.
What absolutely needs to be considered with unstaffed venues:
· Chairs and tables are available, but there is no staff for setup and placement
· Room concepts must be precisely planned and implemented
· No technical or organizational support team on site
· Lighting, decoration, technology, and overall coordination are entirely your own responsibility
· Dismantling must be handled independently — often under time pressure, during the night, or early the next morning
What may seem “simple” at first glance actually means in reality: more coordination, more physical work, and significantly more time investment.
The setup began early — very early. Even though furniture was available, everything still had to be:
· transported
· positioned
· aligned
· decorated
· coordinated
…by us.
The dismantling did not happen “on the side,” but early the next morning — with the same level of structure, care, and responsibility as the setup. For wedding planners and designers, this means long days, short nights, and full presence until the very last moment.
Vegan Catering – Conscious, Modern, and Emotional
Besides the venue, one of the central highlights of this wedding was the vegan catering.
Not as a trend — but as a conscious decision.
Vegan weddings represent:
· mindfulness
· sustainability
· a strong connection to nature
· a modern, contemporary lifestyle
The menu was creative, high-quality, and full of flavor. Many guests were surprised by how emotional and enjoyable vegan cuisine can be.
Especially in unstaffed venues, catering requires additional attention to several aspects:
· clear time slots for setup and service
· coordinated processes between wedding planner and caterer
· suitable infrastructure (cooling, workspaces)
· always keeping an eye on weather and temperatures
Weather – Always with Plan A, B, and C
Particularly with orangeries, one often relies on good weather and sometimes has only limited options in case of bad weather. The following factors are especially important to consider.
In good weather:
· light-filled spaces
· open doors to avoid excessive heat
· seamless transitions to the outdoor areas
· a light, summery atmosphere
In bad weather:
· planning enough space indoors for all program elements
· protecting technology, florals, and catering
· alternative processes for service and guests
· atmospheric lighting for coziness
· if the venue needs to be rearranged, alternative spaces for guests (for example during the aperitif)
Why a Planner & Designer Is Essential Here
This wedding once again showed that unstaffed venues — even with existing furniture — require experience, oversight, and strong nerves.
A wedding planner:
· thinks ahead
· plans space, timing, and processes realistically
· coordinates all service providers
· handles setup and dismantling
· and creates space for what truly matters
Because couples should not have to deal with logistics — they should simply be able to focus on their special day.
We were very happy to organize this vegan wedding in the orangery together with Ilirjana and Pascal. If you are also dreaming of getting married in an orangery or another unstaffed venue and are looking for support, feel free to contact us for a non-binding initial consultation.
