Home is Where The Heart Is

- by Lisa

Each wedding venue presents its own unique and non-unique styles, advantages and disadvantages. Home weddings are different. Home weddings not only allow for the complete customization of the ceremony and /or reception, but they provide a venue rich in personal history and memories. We love planning home weddings because we can utilize the history and experiences to create an event that you will never forget.
We do a fair amount of home weddings. They are wonderful to plan and witness, but they present different challenges than a more established traditional site. Here are a few things to think about as you think about planning a home wedding…

1. Site fee – There is not a site fee, per se, but you do not get what you would at an established with a site fee. For example, landscaping. Does this simply mean mowing the lawn, or would you have to do more? If you start far enough in advance, you can plant trees and shrubs that will be more established on your wedding day. On short notice, if you are getting married in the spring, plan many tulips and daffodils in the fall. They are relatively inexpensive; they are gorgeous and abundant…even on the first flowering. In the fall, mums are the choice. They look great in numbers, you can buy them already flowering and you can get them anywhere. Marrying in the summer, and planning a year in advance? Hydrangeas are nice, and have nice deep green foliage. Whatever you choose, manicured trees and shrubs are great choices. Also, do not forget to treat for mosquitoes and ticks. IF you have enough time, make sure you do a few lawn treatments so that you grass is in great condition.
2. Weather – Unfortunately, as much as I would like to say that I do, I do not control the weather. Just like any outdoor affair, you have to be very comfortable with this variable. Make sure to plan appropriately, and be comfortable with your plan B.
3. Rentals – A tent is an absolute essential. You want to protect your guests from the elements, and is essential for a rain plan. If you have your heart set on an un-tented affair, talk to rental companies about reserving a tent (make It your plan B). Is your ceremony/reception close to the house? Does your house have enough electricity for the band/dj, tent lighting, caterers and bathrooms, or do you need a generator? What about water? Are you going to run the water line off the house or do you need an external water supply?
4. Facilities – A necessary evil. Make sure to budget for port-o-potties. They have very nice trailers available. I would not take the chance that the plumbing in the house will hold up.
Here are just some of the items that you need to think about. There are others, but this will give you a good starting off point. Before you start planning, make sure you invite a caterer, tent company and event planner out to your home. Good people with experience can give you a good idea of what you can and cannot do with your space.
Best of luck!