There are a lot of reasons a couple may choose to have an at home wedding, whether it’s the sentimental feel of having their wedding in a familiar, meaningful place, privacy, or the freedom to choose any date. Even with all of its perks, an at home wedding does take some extra planning to make sure you have everything accounted for. Let’s go over 7 at home wedding ideas to keep in mind when planning your home wedding so you don’t miss a thing!

1. County rules & required permits

First thing’s first – you should check with your city officials to find out if you need permits to host a large party at your house. Figuring this out before you start any planning is important. You don’t want to get attached to something you can’t legally do. You want to make sure you won’t violate noise ordinances, fire codes, health department regulations, zoning issues, and parking restrictions.

2. Parking

This isn’t your usual get together, so fitting a couple of cars in the driveway won’t cut it! Find out if street parking is allowed, and consider hiring a valet service to park cars at a nearby open lot. With offsite parking without a valet service, you can rent golf carts to transport guests to the ceremony site from the parking area. If your property has the space, take advantage of parking signs and attendants to direct traffic. It would be smart to consider transportation to and from hotel blocks if limited parking is available, too.

3. Power requirements

Between the extra lighting, entertainment, and the food prep and kitchen equipment, you’re going to be using a lot more power than usual. Generators are a must! Check with the caterer and entertainment (your band or DJ) to find out how much power their set up needs.

4. Rentals

Since you are essentially creating an entire venue on your property, you’re going to need to rent a lot of items that might typically be included in a venue rental (i.e. tables and chairs). However, there are a few other BIG rentals you can’t forget. 

If your guest list is larger than 20 people, you will need to provide additional toilet facilities. Go for the upscale portable toilet trailers that provide a comfortable experience. Also consider the hand rails and/or ramp when thinking about your guest list. 

You will need to supply a space for catering to prep and plate food. This includes things like a tent, ovens, hot boxes, fridges, etc.

Extra lighting is also a must, and unfortunately, not the fun kind of lighting! For safety reasons, you need to make sure your guests can see where they’re going at the end of the night on property. Install extra lighting to facilitate that.

Additionally, something to keep in mind with rentals is the deliveries of the rentals and the size of trucks coming in and out. Most homes and residential streets aren’t used to these types of deliveries, so going in with a plan is always helpful.

5. Neighbors

Notify your neighbors of your wedding plans, giving them plenty of time to plan ahead. Provide them with as many details as possible, such as the exact time of your ceremony. This way, they know when you’ll need some extra quiet time. Also, let them know where your guests plan to park. Giving them a contact person if there are any issues is a great way to get ahead of any potential concerns. Be considerate and respectful!

6. Weather

As with any wedding day, you need back up plans for inclement weather. Tents (with sides that are able to protect against heavy rain) or indoor backup space are a must. Temperature control with fans or AC units to beat the heat and propane heaters for warmth can and should be put on hold. This way, you aren’t scrambling last minute for the sake of your guest’s comfort.

7. Lawn maintenance

You’ll want to plan yard maintenance in advance to give plants time to fill out, flowers to bloom, and space to be cleared for tents. At the very least, you’ll need to cut the grass! You’ll also need level ground for the tables, bars, and dance floor. If your yard isn’t level, you may need to lay a foundation. Don’t forget to spray for bugs – bug bites are not a great wedding favor!

My favorite part of an at home wedding is when couples make it a point to capture areas of the home that have special meaning to them.

Your home is unique and special in itself, so finding and embracing any one of a kind views or spots is a great way to take your big day to the next sentimental level!

A great way to make sure nothing falls through the cracks during at home wedding planning is to hire a wedding planner. All The Dainty Details has experience with these more intimate weddings and we’d be happy to help you plan yours!