Home weddings are a popular choice for couples looking for a personal, intimate, and budget-friendly alternative to traditional venues. Here are five reasons to consider a home wedding, plus essential tips to ensure your big day goes smoothly!
Why Home Weddings are Popular: Common Mistakes to Avoid When Planning One
Home weddings have become super trendy these days because they’re simple, personal, and often more affordable than renting a big expensive venue. If you’re considering tying the knot at home, here are five reasons why it’s a great idea, along with tips to avoid some common pitfalls along the way.
For starters, you have the freedom to do what you want. Your wedding at home won’t be constrained by rules enforced by wedding venues and officiants on tight deadlines. What time should your ceremony be? That’s up to you! Choose a time that works best for you, your partner, and your guests. You can even have your pets involved if you’d like!
Economical
You’ll likely spend less money by having your wedding at home since you’re skipping those pricey fees to rent a venue and the per-plate costs to feed everyone. With the money you save, you can spend it on what matters to you—like food, drinks, entertainment, and your honeymoon. Plus, smaller weddings mean less staff and simpler catering options, which can keep costs down.
Keep in mind, though, that while hosting a wedding at home might seem like a money-saving alternative to renting a venue, the costs can quickly add up with expenses for essentials like tables, chairs, a tent, porta-potties, catering equipment, and other rentals, making it not necessarily the cheaper option. Be sure to weigh out all the options before you decide.
A home wedding allows for a deeper connection to the place where you’re married. It’s meaningful to exchange vows in a location you’re emotionally attached to. And, your wedding photos will feel more intimate with fewer distractions.
You have a lot of flexibility with a wedding at home, starting with the date. If you and your fiance have busy schedules and want to get married during peak wedding season, you can do that without competing for dates. No disappointments because popular weekend dates are already filled up at venues across the state. If something happens on the day of the wedding, you can go with the flow; you don’t have to be anywhere at a certain time. You’re already at home – grab a glass of champagne and roll with the punches.
Outdoor weddings at home offer stunning backdrops, from beautiful gardens to scenic waterfront views. You can make your reception feel like an elegant dinner party with family and friends. Add live music, a bar, and delicious food to make it an outstanding experience. Plus, your pets mingling with guests while sporting fancy neckties for the wedding is always cute!
While home weddings are wonderful, they do come with challenges.
Weather: Always have a backup plan in case it rains or gets too hot. Renting a tent or having a spot inside your house for the ceremony is essential. You also have to provide a place where guests can use the restroom, and if you don’t want them in and out of your personal bathrooms at home, you would need to rent porta-potty units.
Space: Another potential problem that couples often overlook when planning a home wedding is space. While it might seem like your home or backyard has plenty of room, the reality is that hosting a large group of people requires careful consideration of how much space you have. A good rule of thumb is to have 6-10 feet of space per person. This will ensure you have enough room for the ceremony, reception, dining, and dancing. Be sure to accurately assess your space before committing to your guest list size.
Permits: When hosting a wedding at home, it’s important to ensure that you’re following all local regulations. Some cities or counties require permits for hosting large gatherings, especially if they include loud music or alcohol. Be sure to research any necessary permits for noise, parking, or other considerations, and check with local authorities to avoid any last-minute knocks on the door by the police shutting down your party.
Hire a crew for clean up: After the celebrations are over, cleaning up can be a daunting task, especially in a home setting. Some couples forget to plan for the cleanup process, which can quickly turn the post-wedding glow into stress. It’s important to hire a cleaning crew to take care of the mess once the event ends.
Budget: Although home weddings are thought to be more affordable, they still come with costs, and you still need a budget. Make sure you have a firm budget in place for things like food, decorations, and any rentals.
Comfort: Finally, guests attend weddings for a great party and a good time. Some couples neglect to make sure that guests are comfortable and content. Consider temperature control, restroom facilities, seating arrangements, and other logistical elements to ensure that your guests have an enjoyable experience. If you’re having a summer wedding, get rid of mosquitoes in your yard ahead of time. Don’t let your guests get eaten while they’re trying to eat!
Home weddings offer a beautiful, personalized experience that many couples are opting for these days. While planning any event comes with its challenges, with careful preparation and attention to detail, you can ensure your wedding day goes off without a hitch (well…with one hitch!).
Tammy has an extensive background in journalism, media relations, social media strategy, marketing, and brand management. She resides in Michigan with her family, which includes her two sons and their Goldendoodle, Max. In her free time, she loves to read and travel.
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