Planning a wedding at a private home – tips, tricks, and considerations
Just because you’re getting married, doesn’t mean you have to host your wedding at a full-on wedding venue. You’re planning a private home wedding. Check out our tips, tricks and things you may not have thought about yet for an epic private home wedding.
You can host a wedding at a private home or on private property, but depending on your guest count and other factors, there are some considerations you’ll definitely need to think through before you make your plans.
Private Home Weddings, figuring it out
Guest count. The first thing to figure out for a private home wedding: What is your guest count? Is your guest count in line with the capacity of the home? If you’re hosting a guest count of 10-20 people, most homes and hosts would have enough capacity (restrooms, seating, dishes, etc.) for a micro wedding. Check out Joy & Greg’s micro private home wedding.
If you’re thinking 20+ people, you may not naturally have enough home “infrastructure” to host your wedding without outside vendors.
Rentals for a private home wedding. If your home doesn’t normally host 50 or more people have no fear! Rent the pieces you need to host your perfect backyard wedding! Savannah and Luke hosted their wedding (start to finish) at his mom’s beautiful home and utilized:
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- Event Tent(s)
- Dancefloor
- Tables & Chairs
- Linens – tablecloths & napkins (if not provided by catering)
- Tableware – plates, utensils & glassware
- Restroom Facilities
- Lighting
- “Room turn” staff
- Parking attendants/valet services, transportation shuttles
Square footage. Does the home/property have enough square footage for all of your guests and wedding infrastructure? With a small guest count, most homes would naturally have enough space, but take a good look around and make sure your property will give enough room for all of your festivities without feeling cramped.
But is it pretty? Private home weddings & where to take pictures?
Photo locations. Many venues specifically have spaces where the bride and groom can take pictures with their guests, family, and bridal party, plus individual portraits. Does this property have some pretty spaces where you and your new spouse can take pictures? If the home doesn’t have enough space or the space you do have isn’t your perfect setting, check for parks and greenspaces within a few minutes drive of where you’re hosting your wedding.
Make sure you communicate to your photographer what you’re thinking and ask their opinion of the spaces you’re considering. If you do leave the event site, make sure you buffer time to leave and get back so your timeline doesn’t suffer. Katie & XXXX got married at the Emory chapel and reception was hosted at mom’s house just a few minutes away.
Click here to see a list of companies we recommend for private home wedding rentals.
Sounds like more than you signed up for? Check out some budget-friendly locations that have some (but not all) wedding and event components built into their venues.
Budget Friendly Venue options (not your typical wedding venue)
Don’t be afraid of non-traditional wedding venues. With a little effort and a couple extras, you can’t go wrong with these budget friendly venues. Most of these venues do include tables and chairs (one less thing to deal with) and restroom facilities for 50-100 guests or more, but may require a bit more “zhuzhing” for your wedding.
- Community Centers >> Jasmine & Tim
- State Park Shelters >> Holly & Shawn
- Community Clubhouses >> Terri & Marcus
- Church and Fellowship Hall >> Anna & Charlie
- City Facilities >> Teresa & Patrick
- Park Facilities >> Katie & Nick/Moesha & Clinton
Are you planning your wedding? Check out more helpful articles on DanielleBrown.photography here.
