Hosting a home wedding is a lovely idea that many engaged couples would prefer to do for their big day. For them, there’s nothing better than getting married in the place you feel most comfortable in and at home (no pun intended), surrounded by loved ones. Hosting a wedding from the privacy of your own home has a lot of benefits, in addition to a sense of familiarity, the unique sentiment of the day makes your wedding original and memorable. Holding such an occasion in a location that has some of your most cherished memories as a child or an adult (or both) can create an intimate and convenient event. However, when it comes to a home wedding, there are plenty of things to consider, as you may not have the right space or ability to finalise logistics such as catering, lighting or parking. There are plenty of ways to ensure your home can host a perfect wedding, and if you’re looking for some advice and tips on how to do so, here at We Buy Any Home have compiled our most helpful tips and tricks.
Location:
So, you know you’re having your wedding take place at your home- but in which part of your home and what part of your ceremony? Some couples opt to have the ceremony of their wedding at a church or registry office and then have the reception held at their house- whereas others have the whole day hosted at their house. If you’re looking to host the whole day from your home, it’s a good idea to earmark a distinct area for each part of the wedding that keeps it separate. This is an effective idea as you won’t have to rearrange furniture throughout the day, and instead have the ceremony in one room, canapes and drinks in another and dinner elsewhere.
Matching the Florals:
If you’re intending to get married at home, then match the floral arrangement to the colour scheme of your home and garden. A private and intimate event needs to have perfect accessories- especially if you’re planning a backyard wedding. Assess what flowers and plants you have in your garden and throughout your home and match your wedding flowers to that. This creates seamless floral decoration throughout your home and intensifies the beauty of your wedding.
Power and Electrical:
Your home wedding is going to need extra lighting, a sound system, and probably some extra stoves and other kitchen appliances to ensure the catering is done on time. If this is the case, then you’re going to use more power than most households can handle. It’s vital to ensure that you don’t blow a fuse or put the entire neighborhood at risk of a power outage. To prepare, you can rent generators that will accommodate all the extra power you will be using.
Insurance:
Even though your wedding day is supposed to be the most perfect day, there’s always the slight chance that something may happen in terms of an accident. It’s better to be safe than sorry and contacting your homeowner’s insurance is a good idea. By doing this, you can see what can and is covered, such as property damage inside and outside the property. You may need to take out extra insurance coverage for certain things or people such as bartenders.
Permits and Neighbours:
Before you get carried away with booking vendors and making mood boards for decorations, it’s important to check with city officials or local councils to find out if you need a permit to host a large party at your property. This is so you are covered by noise ordinances, health regulations and fire codes- as you don’t want to violate and legal requirements.
Additionally, another area to think about is your neighbours. Perhaps a month or two before, it’s a good idea to give them plenty of notice as to your wedding- even encourage them to get away for the night. Let them know little details such as starting/ending times, parking concerns etc., and if you’re telling them in person- perhaps a little gift and a written schedule is a good idea.
Restrooms:
If you have a large guest list, then you may need to provide additional toilet facilities for guests. There are many options for an upscale portable toilet, that will add more than a simple port-o-potties. You could even add a little station of hand sanitizers, cotton balls, band aids and safety pins.
Maintenance and set up:
As with any wedding, planning is key. If you’re having a backyard wedding, outdoor maintenance is required. You’ll need time for the flowers to bloom, lawn and shrubs to be trimmed and the design of the layout to be finalised way ahead of time. It’s essential that you check your ground is level and stable enough for chairs, tables and a dance floor. If you’re hiring a tent or marquee, then a professional team can be hired to check that everything will stand level.
Parking:
When sending invites, questions surrounding parking should be addressed. How are your guests going to get to your house? You need to outline a route to your house (providing a map is easiest), and spaces where people can park and whether they are okay to leave them at the property overnight. If your guests are planning on having a drink, include public transportation or taxi firms so that everyone can get home safely and conveniently once the night is over.
Plan B:
If your heart is set on an outdoor wedding, then it’s best to have a plan B in place. British weather is unpredictable at the best of times, and its somewhat unreliable to solely believe the weather app or news predictions. Having a plan B, which doesn’t have to revolve with everything being moved inside, as you can use a marquee or a tent, is a great backup idea.