There’s something comfortably intimate yet stately about saying “I do” in your own domain. Whether you’ve been dreaming of walking out the front door in a white dress since you were little or fell in love with the idea of celebrating at home while watching Father of the Bride, we’re not here to break the illusion.
Hosting your wedding at home allows for more personal touches, but it also requires a lot more preparation than just picking the ballroom downtown. Brides who wed at home will never regret saying their vows in such a sentimental space. You just have to be willing to properly prepare your home before you can host nearly everyone you know on your lawn.
Use Your Wanderlust as Inspiration
If travel isn’t possible but you’re dreaming of a destination wedding, recreate the far-flung feeling for your celebration at home. Get inspired by your favourite destination- be it anywhere from Italy to Japan, New Zealand to New Orleans. Establish a multi-sensory experience by incorporating characteristics of your chosen destination into the design. Have fun with the menu and the decorative elements by choosing flavours, flowers, colours, patterns, and textures that represent the location you had planned or always wanted to wed in.
Don’t forget to include music and scents (be it via scented candles at the ceremony or through a deliciously spiced meal) to really immerse your guest in the locale that’s at the core of your wanderlust.
Opt for Outdoor Lounges
When you’re planning a wedding at home, you’re most likely holding the event outside. Bring the inside out, and make your backyard feel like the warm interiors of your home. Design clusters of cozy lounge spaces where guests can sit back and enjoy the al fresco celebration.
Don’t worry about everything matching perfectly; use combinations of sofas, arm chairs, and side tables to create a living room-like atmosphere and seat groups of household members or social bubbles together. Keep the mood warm and welcoming by using a variety of seating and decor, and add home accessories like throw pillows, floral arrangements, and objects.
Keep it Personal
What you lose in volume from a big celebration you gain in details with a smaller affair. An intimate wedding allows you to personalize your event in ways you can’t with a large one. With a curated guest list, you can concentrate on thoughtful touches such as personalized cards, customized paper goods, and writing your guests’ names in calligraphy on just about anything.
Think of this as the best dinner party you’ve ever hosted and pull out all of the stops. A handwritten note or a calligraphed romantic musing left on each place setting shows your appreciation and love for each and every VIP in attendance. At the core of a small wedding is the essence of why you’re getting married in the first place: your desire to celebrate your love with the people that mean the most to you. At this event, it’s about keeping every detail elevated and special, yet meaningful and sentimental, rather than orchestrating an elaborate affair.
Light It Up
Every good event designer will tell you the same thing: Lighting is everything. Use candlelight and lanterns whenever possible. Unlike the restrictions of a ballroom or hotel, you probably won’t be restricted from using open flames in your home. Think about how your grounds will look once the sun goes down. Light up trees, landscaping, your home’s architecture, and pathways with subtle, amber lighting, market lights, or lanterns, rather than opting for distracting uplighting. This will not only add dramatic effect and ambiance, but illuminating key paths and fixtures at an outdoor event ensures guests enjoy the evening and make their way home safely. While lighting can draw unwanted creatures to your outdoor affair, don’t overlook using pleasantly-scented, organic citronella candles to keep pesky bugs at bay.