9 Ways to Prepare Your Space for an At-Home Wedding

Tying the knot is one of the most important events in everyone’s life and it’s only logical that you want everything to be perfect for your big day.

If you’ve decided to organize an at-home wedding, you’ll enjoy the benefits of your own turf, but that doesn’t mean that there won’t be any challenges.

That’s why the ceremony should be planned down to the tiniest detail well in advance, just like you would do if you picked any other venue.

Having a checklist will help you control your inner bridezilla from emerging and ruining all the fun.

Here’s what you should pay attention to while preparing your space for an at-home wedding.

1. Delegate and Outsource

The fact that you’re throwing an intimate, house party doesn’t mean that it will be less complicated if you take on all the workload.

Instead of spreading yourself too thin, it’s a good idea to ask your friends and family to jump in and help you with some tasks. Make a list of different chores that need to be done and see who could lend you a hand.

Picking up food, drinks, and your wedding cake, and decorating the house and the yard don’t seem like that big of a deal but if you try to do it all by yourself, you’ll end up being exhausted and cranky on your wedding day.

2. Trim Your Guest List

No matter how big and spacious your house is, you don’t want to squeeze every inch of it with guests.

Even if you want to combine both indoor and outdoor space for your reception, you should bear in mind that the weather can be fickle and unpredictable, so make sure that everybody you invite can fit indoors and be comfortable.

It’s true that you can be tempted to expand your list and invite people only because you feel obligated to – only the ones who are closest to you and with whom you want to celebrate this happy occasion should be invited. This parameter will prevent your guest list from bloating and your wedding reception space from being too crowded.

3. Make All the Necessary Repairs in Advance

This is one of the most important tasks on your list, as a leaky faucet or cracked paint in the living room really don’t look presentable.

So, have a handyman check both your house and yard and see what repairs are needed.

One of the best ways to upgrade your area is by having your house, front door, and fence painted. Moreover, it’s one of the most affordable ways to improve your space and make it look elegant for such an occasion.

And since you’re already redecorating your home, it’s a good idea to think about your safety, especially now that you plan on hosting a big party, which is why installing fire ducts is a mandatory investment.

If kids will be in attendance, don’t forget to make your home safe for them too. This means covering your electrical outlets, removing phone chargers, and small items which pose a choking hazard. In case you have a swimming pool or a pond in your backyard, it should be protected too.

4. Rent Instead of Buying

It’s very likely that you don’t have enough seating, furniture, and tableware to accommodate that many people, so instead of purchasing something that you’ll use just once, rent it.

Given that everybody will have to sit during the ceremony, it’s a good idea to rent foldable chairs so that they can be easily removed in case there’s not enough space for the reception.

Depending on the number of people that will attend your wedding, you should consider renting portable bathrooms. According to a general rule, you should have one toilet for every 35 guests.

5. Use a Generator

Such a big party will need a huge amount of power, especially if you have a tent that needs to be lighted and a catering kitchen which requires additional roasters and coolers.

If you want to prevent the risk of a power outage in the middle of the party, or even worse leaving your entire neighbourhood in the dark, use a generator.

As this equipment is in demand, make sure to book everything even a couple of months in advance.

6. Protect Your Furniture

When there are many people in a small space, you can expect that somebody will spill their drink, broke a vase, or drop a piece of cake on the floor.

In other words, if you have any antique or delicate pieces of furniture, don’t risk the damage and rent storage space in which you can store everything that can be broken or destroyed safely. Otherwise, you won’t be able to relax knowing that a lot of people, some of who might be a bit tipsy, walk around your house.

7. Check Whether You Need Some Permits

Parties can be noisy and crowded, which is why your neighbours have to be informed about the event in a timely manner.

It’s a good idea to keep everyone updated and tell them what they can expect – when the party will take place, and how long it is expected to last. This way you’ll be neighbourly and avoid any unnecessary complications or complaints.

But before everything, check whether there are permits that you need to obtain, such as the ones concerning parking, noise, or fireworks.

8. Save on Decorations

You’re well aware that a wedding is an expensive undertaking, and you can’t cut corners when it comes to the food, music, and all the other things that you have to buy, pay for, or rent without sacrificing quality.

But, you can save some money on decorations and take a DIY approach.

Paper lanterns, string lights around the branches, and bouquets of home-grown flowers can be a great solution and create a homey and yet festive atmosphere.

9. Have a Good Night’s Sleep Before the D-Day

You’ll hopefully finish all this on time and turn in earlier than usually to get your beauty sleep.

The day ahead of you will be both exciting and exhausting which is why you need to be rested.

Have the morning of the wedding all to yourself without worrying whether the cake is ready and the home prepared for the guests, as that will allow you to relax and prepare for this big adventure.

An at-home wedding is a personal and intimate experience but only if it’s planned well. These 9 tips can help you stay on top of things and have a great time.