Considering an at home wedding? 

Before you go any further, read this!

Hello friends! With the rise of intimate weddings comes the rise of at home weddings.

Greet your guests with champagne upon arrival – They will love you for it! 

I have to tell you, we had my sister’s wedding (11 years ago …. holy cow time flies) in my parents back yard + it was not only dreamy but so so so sweet. I’ll admit I’m a sentimental sap but walking down an aisle where you used to play ring around the rosey as kids gives me all the feels.

This gorgeous ceremony set was built on the family’s drive way!

We had family gather about an hour before the ceremony for cocktails + hors d’oeuvres. And when the time was right, we processed to an arbor my dad made followed by our family pug who sat promptly on my sister’s train. God bless him. The last person out the door didn’t latch it all the way, so he marched his nearly blind self right into the center of it all. It was all too fitting that he sat next to me during the rest of the ceremony, like a proud brother.

Cheers to Forever!

So endearing.

The ceremony was followed by more cocktails (what can I say, my family likes to celebrate) + photos in our orchard + then on the swing set of our grade school. The principal at that school (also one of our teachers) still has that photo in her office.

How sweet is it that Bri got dressed in her room that she grew up in. Where she + her friends (some bridesmaids) had slumber parties as little girls.
Aren’t these gals stunning? Annette wore my fave mother of the bride gown thus far! 

The nostalgia of it all makes my eyes sweat, especially since we recently sold our family home. Those memories will live in my heart forever.

At home weddings seem easy breezy but if you’ve ever hosted a big party at your home, you know it’s a lot of work… now imagine adding the details of a wedding.

Walking to forever in the driveway you first learned how to back a car out of. 

A wedding which is a huge moment in your family’s life with lots of moving parts. A wedding that you want to be flawless + perfect + everything you imagined it to be because you only have one shot, one opportunity to get it right (Yes, we quote Eminem on occasion).

We’ve chatted with a lot of couples lately about having backyard celebrations. There is a tiny (sometimes large) misconception that hosting a wedding at home is cheaper + less work. Your friendly neighborhood planners are here to tell you, that’s not always the case.

Bri + Tyler took it to another level of homey by bringing in lounge furniture to give that cozy feel.
Our friends at An Affair to Remember rent + style this furniture amongst loads of other magical + eclectic pieces.

Here are some things to consider if you are thinking about bringing your wedding home.

  • Noise ordinances – make sure you research this in your city/county
  • Permit – do you need one? 👆🏻 again get in contact with your local govt.
  • Approval from an HOA or running it by your neighbors? Even if you don’t need a permit or have an HOA, be courteous + let your neighbors know your plans
  • Treating your yard for bugs/pests (no one likes those pesky mosquitos).
  • Landscaping – some folks use at home weddings as an excuse for a Beyonce upgrade + listen we totally get it!
  • Parking + transporting guests. Is there a nearby lot where you can shuttle guests to + from? Be sure to ask permission. Or perhaps valet might be a smarter plan.
  • Additional restrooms + sanitation stations because you probably don’t want everyone going in + out of your house.
  • Rain plan – listen friends, I know it’s not gonna rain on your wedding day, but you have to have a back up plan.
  • Rentals: a few things to consider are a tent or two (depending on set up, your caterer may need one), tables, chairs, linens, heating + cooling, place settings, etc.
  • Guest flow: you will want greeters + signage directing your guests from parking to the actual location of the party on your property.
  • Power. Do you have enough for the caterer, DJ or band, heating + cooling systems?
  • Have an on site point person/team for all the vendors (like us) so you can be a guest at your own wedding!
  • Budget – be realistic. Write down your wish lists + get quotes. Decide what are your priorities. And again, you know we can totally help with that!

If you have a pool onsite, add some punch with these floating globes + flower petals.

But don’t let this long list discourage you because like we said, we love at home weddings + we would love to guide you through the planning process to make sure you can enjoy every ounce of this magic.

Nothing says family like being at home. Love this shot of our beautiful mother of the groom + her granddaughter. 

Holler atcha girls, we are ready to get this dream wedding at home planning party started!

All of these gorgeous images are from a wedding we coordinated in about 10 days this past June. Huge props to An Affair to Remember + The Social Affair for working around the clock that week to create such an incredible celebration for Tyler + Bri!

Cheers to forever! And cheers to signature cocktails!
The crew at The Social Affair of course knocked it outta the park (as per usual) with these beauties!

Cheers to the wonderful vendors who made this all happen:
Bridal Attire – Town & Country Bridal
Cake + Desserts – Britt’s Bakehouse
Catering – The Social Affair
Florals + Decor – An Affair to Remember
Hair + Makeup – Hannah Rudin
Harpist – Colleen Stumbo
DJ – House DJ
Photography – Vasva and Co
Rentals – Amerevent + Premier Rentals