About half of the weddings we cover start at home, often at the bride’s parents’ house. Far fewer actually have the wedding at home, but when it happens, it’s noticeably different—often more relaxed (surprisingly), intimate, and very friendly.
Having a home wedding is a great idea, as you’ll be able to make it your day, done your way, in your space and time. There are plenty of pros and a few drawbacks. If you’re already accustomed to hosting parties, a home wedding could be the obvious solution.
Home weddings have certainly become more popular. Maybe the cost of living is one reason, but there’s immediately something beautiful about being exactly where you always love being.
Here are just a few thoughts regarding some of the practical issues for home weddings.
While it will eliminate some expenses, you’ll undoubtedly incur new costs. However, this might be to your benefit, especially if it further beautifies the home.
At the top of the list, consider whether weather truly needs to be taken into account. If poor weather disrupts expected outdoor plans, can your home accommodate the expected number of people? And remember, it’s not just about rain.
Some people have ample outdoor space, including covered areas, which can be especially helpful. For instance, even in Sydney’s winter, some people seek relief from the sunshine. In summer, when it reaches a humid 40 degrees, does the air-conditioning work? And if a cold wind starts, is there a way to escape it?
If you need additional indoor space, setting up a marquee is an obvious solution. Determine the location on your property and consider light and shade. Beautiful views or backdrops may influence where you place most of the wedding day activities.
A marquee requires furnishing. Decide on a theme or style. It’s perfectly acceptable if it’s purely practical, but adding beauty is even better.
I recall a local backyard wedding where a marquee had been set up next to the tennis court. It was minimally furnished to allow for dancing, but unexpectedly, some cooking took place in one corner using chilli oil. The resulting reaction was akin to tear gas, temporarily clearing the space.
Carefully consider catering arrangements. Decide where food preparation will take place, and assess whether additional kitchen equipment is necessary. Budgeting for these aspects is essential. Alternatively, consider hiring a professional team—they can collaborate with you to plan everything.
Ensure there is private preparation space for getting ready and dressing. Ideally, this area should be away from other guests, and windows shouldn’t directly face them. From a photography perspective, natural light is wonderful. If you’re concerned about guests seeing in, drawing blinds may compromise that lovely aesthetic.
Overall, in terms of style, it’s your home, so do keep it homely and intimate. It certainly doesn’t have to become like a restaurant or event space. Instead, really lean into that sense of home.
Since many of the guests will be familiar with your property, consider surprising them. String lights in the garden, repaint an area with strong colours, and rejuvenate a garden space (well beforehand, e.g., ease up on compost two weeks prior). Consider planting seasonal flowers with enough lead time. Find space in the garden and take advantage of the expected floral displays for your time of year.
Within your home, each space holds a specific meaning. If there’s an area on the property that means a lot to either of you, be sure to spend time there and capture photographs. It adds a lovely touch.
Whether it’s music, sound, or noise, consider your neighbours. The same applies to car parking. Thoughtful consideration eases any inconvenience for them.
Considering the potential workload leading up to the wedding, especially on the day itself, think carefully about how much assistance you’ll need. It might be that family and friends can be a great help, but some jobs will probably require payment.
A helpful tip is to declutter your home as much as possible. This not only creates space but also makes cleaning up easier just before the wedding. Plus, it contributes to a lovely environment for photographs. You don’t need to do this everywhere but definitely create two or three minimalist or well-designed spaces.
After the wedding, when you’re hoping for everything to be nice and tidy, having a cleanup crew can be incredibly helpful. Especially when you and your family are ready to relax.
Event planning experts offer valuable advice, and it’s worth considering. However, without additional help, you’ll need to make every decision yourself. This process can be time-consuming, and each choice becomes yours to bear. Some thrive in this role, while others may burn out. Hopefully, you won’t find yourself saying, ‘I wish we’d…’
Overall, is it worth it? Absolutely yes.
You have permission to create your own wedding and fulfill your plans. If you love formality, consider a wedding with 7 courses and matching wines, complete with beautifully printed menus and gorgeous table layouts. Alternatively, if that idea sounds like a nightmare, opt for a shared barbecue with great salads. And if even that feels like too much, a high tea with sandwiches, cakes, and macarons might be perfect. Personally, I’d go for gelato carts, Italian platters, and sparkling shiraz. .
There aren’t rules for weddings, but given how so many are done so similarly we’d be forgiven for thinking there was. Throw that imaginary list away and do your wedding entirely your way, in your place, to your taste.
