Creating A Special Home Wedding: Tips And Tricks

Planning a wedding can be challenging, but creating a special day that's meaningful to you and your partner is what matters most. Here are some tips to make your home wedding memorable:

- Involve your loved ones: Include your closest family and friends in unique ways. For example, ask an uncle to officiate the ceremony or your mother to give a welcome speech.

- Choose a theme: Pick a theme that reflects your interests, such as a hobby, your favourite vacation spot, or how you met. This can inspire everything from your attire to the food and decorations.

- Add personal touches: Write personalised notes for each guest or incorporate family heirlooms and furniture into your decor.

- Rearrange your space: Change the layout to make it wedding-friendly. Move furniture to create a dance floor or set up a special area for pre-wedding photos.

- Splurge on something extra: Use the money saved on transportation and a large guest list to hire a bartender, rent decor pieces, or install a floral arch.

- Serve a special meal: Hire caterers, order takeout from your favourite restaurant, or ask a family member to cook a personal favourite.

- Get creative with entertainment: Set up lawn games, board games, or a movie night. If you have pets, include them in the celebration!

- Embrace the intimacy: A small wedding allows for better conversations and a more relaxed atmosphere. Lean into the coziness and enjoy quality time with your guests.

Splurge on something extra

If you're hosting a home wedding, you may be able to save on costs by not spending on transportation or limiting your guest list. With those extra funds, you can splurge on something extra to take your home wedding to the next level. Here are some ideas to make your special day even more memorable:

Hire a bartender and create a special cocktail

Hiring a bartender to run a home bar can elevate your wedding and create a unique experience for your guests. Consider creating a signature cocktail for your wedding, perhaps inspired by your favourite drink or incorporating flavours that hold a special meaning for you. You could even serve the cocktail in unique glassware, such as edible straws or colourful drink pouches, to add a fun and creative touch.

Rent decor pieces or install a floral arch

Investing in some rental decor pieces can transform your home into a stunning wedding venue. You could opt for a dramatic floral arch, a colourful balloon arch, or draped fabric to create a chic and romantic atmosphere. If you want to include a personal touch, consider using special furniture or family heirlooms as part of your decor.

Enhance your entertainment

While you may not have a ballroom or a full-sized dance floor in your home, you can still provide entertainment for your guests. Move furniture aside to create a small dance floor, or set up a fun photo booth with a wig wall for your guests to enjoy. If you want to go all out, you could even hire a live band, a DJ, or unique performers like mermaids or fire eaters to surprise your guests.

Serve a special meal

With a home wedding, you have the flexibility to serve a meal that may not be possible at a traditional venue. You can hire caterers and servers for a formal affair or order takeout from your favourite restaurant. If you want to make it extra special, consider creating a unique menu with dishes that hold a special meaning for you and your partner.

Go the extra mile with your wedding cake

Your wedding cake can be more than just a dessert; it can be a stunning centrepiece that wows your guests. Consider choosing a creative cake design, such as a floating illusion cake, a wedding cake on a swing, or an edgy all-white cake with modern spikes. You could even incorporate your interests, like sports or pets, into the cake design.

Pamper yourself and your guests

Treat yourself and your partner to some pre-wedding pampering to ensure you feel relaxed and special on your big day. You could also provide comfortable amenities for your guests, such as blankets with their initials to keep them warm outdoors, or even hangover recovery kits for the morning after the wedding.

Remember, your home wedding is a unique and intimate celebration, so feel free to splurge on something extra to create lasting memories for you and your loved ones.

Serve a special meal

Serving a special meal at your wedding is a great way to create a memorable experience for you and your guests. Here are some ideas to make your wedding meal unique and enjoyable:

Choose a meaningful menu

Incorporate dishes that are special to you and your partner. Whether it's your favorite date night meal, a dish from your first date, or a family recipe, selecting a menu with personal significance will make your wedding meal extra special. You could even create a fusion dish that combines your favorite flavors or represents your cultural heritage.

Hire caterers or chefs

If you want to elevate your wedding meal, consider hiring caterers or chefs to prepare and serve the food. This option can add a touch of formality to your celebration and ensure that you and your guests are well taken care of. Discuss your preferences and budget with your chosen caterer to create a customized menu that suits your tastes.

Opt for interactive food stations

Interactive food stations are a popular trend that allows your guests to customize their plates and engage with the food. You can set up different stations with various options, such as a salad bar, a pasta bar, a taco bar, or even a build-your-own-pizza station. This approach encourages guests to mingle and creates a dynamic and engaging atmosphere.

Offer unique appetizers or finger foods

Appetizers and finger foods are a great way to start your wedding meal with a special touch. Consider serving bite-sized treats such as grilled cheese bites, Caprese cups, bruschetta, or zucchini roll-ups. For a more substantial option, offer sliders, tiny tacos, or mini grilled cheese sandwiches with tomato soup. These options will keep your guests satisfied and impressed.

Incorporate a special theme

If you have a specific theme for your wedding, carry it through to the menu. For example, if you're having a masquerade ball, you could serve elegant canapes and champagne. Or, if you're going for a more casual backyard barbecue theme, offer a selection of grilled foods and summer salads. The possibilities are endless!

Don't forget the desserts

Desserts are a great way to end your wedding meal on a sweet note. While traditional wedding cakes or cupcakes are always a good choice, you can also think outside the box. Consider offering a dessert bar with various treats, such as cookies, mini cheesecakes, hand pies, or even a build-your-own-sundae station. Your guests will love indulging in these sweet treats.

Involve your pets

If you're a pet owner, you know how important your furry friends are to you. So, why not include them in your wedding? Even if your pet can't be there in person, there are still lots of creative ways to involve them in your special day.

Include them in your wedding party

If you want your pet to be there on the day, you could have them walk down the aisle with the bridesmaids or stand with the groomsmen as you say your vows. They can even be dressed for the occasion – a bow tie, a floral collar, or a little dress so your fur baby can be an honorary flower girl. If you have horses, you could bring them along and dress them in floral collars.

Take photos with your pets

If your pet can't make it to the wedding, consider including them in your engagement photos or taking photos with them while you're getting ready. You could even attach a GoPro to your dog to get a unique perspective on your wedding day.

Pet-themed food and drink

Create a signature drink in your pet's honour or name cocktails after them. You could also offer pet-themed cookies or other treats as wedding favours.

Pet-themed decor and details

From invitations to cocktail napkins, table numbers, and cake toppers, there are endless ways to include your pet in your wedding decor. You could have an illustration of your pet included on your stationery, or use pet-themed stickers to decorate take-home bags. If you have a horse, you could use horseshoes on your place settings for a lucky, equestrian-themed touch.

Don't forget your pet's comfort

Remember to check with your venue to see if there are any animal restrictions, and make sure your pet has everything they need on the day, including a diligent pet sitter!

Add personal touches

Adding personal touches to your wedding is a great way to make your special day memorable and unique. Here are some ideas to achieve that:

Involve your loved ones

Ask your closest family members and friends to play a special role in your wedding. For example, you could ask your uncle to be your officiant or give a special speech during the ceremony. Alternatively, you could have your mother give the welcome speech, add a special mother-daughter dance, or have her join you as you walk down the aisle.

Choose a meaningful theme

Select a theme that reflects your interests and passions as a couple. This could be inspired by a shared hobby, how you met, or your favourite vacation spot. For instance, if you're both die-hard Dodgers fans, incorporate the team's colours into your cake, have guests sign a baseball bat, or change into Dodgers game-day attire for your reception.

Include your pets

If you're a pet lover, include your furry, scaly, or feathered friends in your wedding celebrations. You could have your dog walk down the aisle with you, include your cat in your wedding photos, or craft pet-inspired cocktails for your guests.

Celebrate your heritage or culture

Customise your ceremony to represent your cultural background and traditions. For example, wine lovers could consider a wine-blending ceremony, while Spanish, Hispanic, and Filipino weddings often include a lasso ceremony, symbolising the eternal unity of your wedding vows.

Create a unique playlist

Curate a playlist that reflects your style and personality as a couple. Choose songs that are meaningful to you, such as "your song", or a song that represents your relationship journey. If you have a fun TV show you love watching together, you could include a song from it, like "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)" from "How I Met Your Mother".

Write your own vows

Writing your own vows is a great way to add a personal touch to your wedding. You can make them serious, silly, or tear-jerking—use this opportunity to express your love, personality, and the promises you're making to your partner.

Rearrange your space

Rearranging your space is a great way to make your home wedding feel brand new. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Move Furniture

Move sofas, tables, and chairs to create a more wedding-friendly layout. You could even drag a table or some furniture into the backyard if you want to make use of your outdoor space.

Create a Dance Floor

Move furniture to one side to create a small dance floor. If you're worried about room inside, utilise your backyard or outdoor space for dancing.

Get Creative with Your Space

Don't limit yourself to just one room. Get creative and use your whole space! Get ready in different rooms, set up decorations in the hallway, and take photos in your favourite spots around the house.

Highlight Focal Points

Take a step back and look at your property with fresh eyes. What are the best features? Is it a grand foyer, beautifully manicured gardens, or a lavish pool? Highlight these areas and use them to your advantage when planning the layout.

Repurpose Furniture

Use special furniture or family heirlooms in your ceremony instead of renting tables and linens. You could also move furniture such as a table, chest, or bookcase to use as a display for escort cards, a guest book table, or a bar.

Utilise Indoor Space

While backyard weddings are great, inviting guests inside will make everyone feel welcome. Think about the flow of the day and the entrance point for guests. You could create a special entrance with a floral-lined path or an elegant arch at the front door.

Remember, you can make your space feel brand new by simply rearranging what you already have. Get creative, highlight the best features, and don't be afraid to move things around!

Frequently asked questions