Many couples spent a long time searching for the perfect wedding venue to give them a ceremony that they’ll remember for the rest of their lives. Churches, barns and historical buildings are some of the most popular venues for engaged couples to exchange their vows and join together in holy matrimony. You’ll likely need ample space for guests, both indoors and outdoors, attractive scenery for photos, and areas for preparation, dining and dancing.
What if I told you that this can be achieved within the comfort of your own home. If you have a good sized house, you can design a lavish wedding interior and exterior that can create lasting memories, all without having to break the bank on an expensive venue. Garden ceremonies are a current wedding trend, giving you the chance to have a stylish and fun wedding in your home’s outdoor space.
This guide will provide you with inspiration into how to create the perfect home wedding venue, so that you can have the dream ceremony that will leave every in attendance teary eyed. Continue reading to find out more.
Creating a Wedding Venue at Home
Initial Planning
Establishing a clear vision is the foundational step in planning a home wedding, as it influences every decision. Begin by defining the desired style and atmosphere, whether you envision a casual backyard gathering, an elegant garden party or an intimate indoor celebration. For the most effective solution, you can try creating a mood board with all your different ideas and generating an overall theme.
Be realistic about your guest list, as this will directly impact the usability of your space, with smaller, more intimate gatherings being much more manageable in a residential setting. Having a clear budget will also be beneficial. While a home wedding can be cost-effective, expenses for rentals, catering and decorations can accumulate quickly, so knowing what you can realistically spend will lead to a less stressful planning process.
Assess and Prepare the Home
You must thoroughly evaluate your home to understand its potential and limitations as a wedding venue. You’ll need to pinpoint the ideal locations for key wedding moments. Determine where the ceremony will take place and then designate a separate reception area for dining, dancing and mingling for guests. Parking should be considered too, as you need to ensure a smooth arrival and departure for everyone involved.
For outdoor weddings, professional gardening and landscaping is a must to get a garden you’ll be proud of. Trim hedges, cut the grass and plant fresh flowers to create a beautiful backdrop for the ceremony. An often-overlooked but crucial detail for any outdoor wedding is a tent or conservatory conversion. Even with a clear forecast, these provide shade and can add to the aesthetics of your wedding.
Consider Day Logistics
There’s certain things that you can’t control until that day, but planning ahead can help streamline them. Catering is a very important aspect of every wedding. You need to decide the best option for you, whether that be hiring a professional catering company or getting a family member to cook their home grub. Regardless, you need to ensure that you have a proper plan in place so that all the guests are fed during the wedding reception.
Having a schedule will help the day go smoothly is important. You need to account for all details from before the guests even arrive at your home to the time the celebrations come to an end. It can make sure that nothing’s rushed, as you can take your time with each part of the day if your schedule is made properly.
Create Atmosphere
Lighting is a key component of creating the right type of atmosphere at a wedding, as it’s great for setting the mood and highlighting the best features of your space. For a romantic and enchanting feel, drape fairy lights across your backyard or patio. Candles can also add warmth and elegance. You can also place them on the ground to illuminate trees or your home’s facade, creating a dramatic effect after dark.
It’s almost impossible to have a beautiful wedding without flowers. They can add colour and life to every part of the venue, giving you the chance to capture some of the most stunning wedding photos in different parts of your home.
The entertainment you choose will dictate the energy of the event. Select music that aligns with your theme, whether it’s a chosen playlist, a live band or a DJ. For a more laid-back or casual wedding, incorporating lawn games for a fun experience that all ages can enjoy. This will be great if you expect some of your guests to bring their children.
Stick to the Plan
Your top priority should be to relax and enjoy the celebration, which often means making sure that you stick to the plan. Hiring a day-of coordinator can help with this, as they can keep you on schedule. This professional will be an invaluable asset, handling every detail from managing vendors to troubleshooting unexpected issues.
If a coordinator isn’t in the budget, strategically delegate tasks to trusted friends and family members well in advance. Your parents are always a good solution for this, as they will want your wedding to be the best experience of your life and should be willing to help you bring it all together. It’s important to always have a backup plan too. Consider potential worst-case scenarios and have solutions ready to ensure that your wedding day goes off without a hitch.
Final Thoughts
Hosting a wedding at home offers a unique intimacy that traditional venues often lack. You can focus on a clear vision and thoughtful execution to transform your personal space into a magical setting. Keep all your guests entertained throughout, so that they can look back fondly on the event too. The most important thing is having a wonderful day with your partner, as you join together and marry them in your dream venue that you’ve created in your home.