Hi There,

 Are you thinking about saving money by having your wedding in your home?  Maybe you know someone who has an awsome home and you’d like to use it for your special day.  Home weddings don’t necessarily save you money.  They certainly can, but they don’t always! 

When you decide to have a home wedding there are many things you need to think about.  Start out by researching if permits are needed from your city/county for parking, noise and/or music.  I know, some of you are saying, what’s the difference between music and noice…maybe there is no difference to you but there can be a difference. 

Then think about the structure, get your ducks in a row like a venue would do.  Do you need to bring in lighting, are there sprinklers that will need to be turned off?  And, not just the day of the wedding, but maybe several days before the wedding to allow time for the lawn to dry.  Nobody wants to walk on a wet lawn!  What weather issues should you plan for…do you need to rent a tent, umbrellas, heaters, misters?  Make sure and provide SHADE for your guests somewhere.  What about bathrooms?  One restroom per 50 guests is a guideline.  Should you provide valet parking?  If you don’t have room for the guests to park on your property, then seriously consider hiring a Valet Parking Service so your guests can drive up to the home, get out and someone else can take their car to park a block or so away.  Make sure and provide a place for your caterer to work and provide some sort of screen so your guests don’t have to see the prep area.  Have your rentals dropped off the DAY BEFORE (always allow yourself some wiggle room for problems).  Set the pick up for the Monday following the wedding.  Some rental companies will extend a discount to you for Thursday dropoffs and Monday pickups.  They get hit with most deliveries and pickups on Friday, Saturday and Sunday…so by opting for a Thursday and Monday you give them some wiggle room too!