Home Weddings: Expert Advice on Home Wedding Planning

There are many reasons to decide to have your wedding at home but when Linda Camoriano and Guy Moore looked at other venues for their wedding and reception, none of them compared to the new home they had purchased in rural Northern Indiana. The three story home has a wrap around deck that was perfect for the cocktail hour with a path and clearing in the woods for the ceremony and a large barn that was transformed into an elegant reception ballroom. There are some things to consider, however, when planning an at home wedding.
 

ONE

Be prepared for the unexpected. A few weeks before the wedding, a water leak damaged all the hardwood floors on the main level forcing them to be totally replaced. This unexpected cost in the budget as well as working with contractors to get the work done was added stress the month before the event.
 

TWO

Decide what changes you want to make before the wedding and what can wait until later. Since Linda and Guy were not actually living in the home yet, there were several challenges before the wedding. Furniture and light fixtures had to be chosen, ordered and delivered. The installation of the incredible tile in the great room was not finished until two days before the wedding causing some added stress for bride and planner alike. But on the wedding day, everything came together beautifully.
 

THREE

Have a back-up plan. As with any outdoor event, you must have a back-up plan. As the rain continued to come down on wedding day morning, the plan was to move the ceremony into the reception area in the barn. But as the rain stopped about noon and the wind continued to blow, we were able to set up chairs about 5 pm for the 7 pm ceremony and they got to enjoy the natural setting of their home as they exchanged their vows.
 

FOUR

Don't forget to "be the bride". When you are having guests over to your home, you want it to look its best and have everyone have a good time. Make sure you can delegate jobs so that the day of your wedding you are not vacuuming and cleaning toilets in preparation for your guests. The day will go way too quickly and hiring in professionals to coordinate the day's activities and keep them moving is well worth the money.
 

FIVE

Remember there may be extra expense to bring in all the necessities. Unlike having a reception hall or hotel where everything is already there, most homes are not equipped to handle formal parties for 150-200 guests. So while you decided to get married at home to save the money of the other venues, you may have hidden expenses in making the home site work for the event. Guy and Linda's barn was transformed by setting up tents inside the barn lined in chiffon with chandeliers for lighting. Also in the budget were tables, chairs, linens, lighting, china, glassware, and table service along with the flowers, candles, and decor. Your caterer will be working off-site and may require extra equipment. Make sure that your restroom facilities are adequate or consider renting additional ones. Again, an experienced planner can help you make sure all the details are covered, and that professionals as well as volunteers are organized and working together.
 

SIX

Enjoy the intimacy and family atmosphere of an at home wedding. Lost in all the details, planning and executing of a wedding is the fact that it is a time for families to get together and unite in love. Linda and Guy were attended by their children (her daughter was her maid of honor) and the minister who performed the ceremony was the bride's mother. They will always be able to look out their window at the place where, surrounded by family and friends, they started their married life together. Remember to take time and enjoy your day, your guests and most of all each other.