What to Remember when Planning a Wedding at Your Home

Jordan Weiland Photography - elegant outdoor reception at home

If there’s one thing we can say about weddings these days, it’s that there is no status quo! Couples can get married at any number of places, but there’s a reason why they say “home is where the heart is.”

For the sweethearts out there who are saying “I do” at a private residence, we have a few tips that will take your wedding reception to the next level when planning a wedding at your home, while providing practical solutions to the hurdles you may not have thought of!

Elevate Your Backyard Wedding

planning a wedding at your home with transparent tent
Photo by Lora Rodgers Photography

Adding a wedding tent can easily transform your backyard or outdoor space by adding visual interest while keeping your guests comfortable. Rather than having an undefined open space, break down your event space to create a nice “flow” for guests.

large transparent wedding tent set up for outdoor reception
Photo by Lora Rodgers Photography

In Florida, even the most perfect sunny day can quickly change to rain on your parade.

Now you may be thinking, “won’t my wedding guests be sweltering under that tent?” There are a variety of additions to keep your guests cool & breezy: cooling units, pedestal fans, and even misting fans.

Moral of the story: wedding tenting can be both functional and beautiful! Whether it’s a clear, white, or sailcloth tent, you can keep your guests out of the elements while creating a stunning backyard venue!

wedding reception tent with colorful papel picado garland
Photo by That First Moment Photography

To make the backyard wedding tents even more mesmerizing and refreshing, you can always add eye-catching and beautiful lighting solutions to them. For example, you can add custom neon signs around and within the wedding tent to make the atmosphere more lively. Or you can add a touch of romantic intrigue with colorful and soul-catching fairy lights. If you have a good wedding planner, you can mix custom neon signs, fairy lights, and even chandeliers to make the backyard wedding memorable.

Maximizing Your Landscape and Guest Flow

When planning a wedding at home, it’s essential to ensure your landscaping is both visually appealing and functional. Well-designed landscaping can help define key areas while guiding the natural flow of guests.

Keep an eye on your plants leading up to the event, as they’ll be exposed to the sun throughout the day. Consider using a landscape shade cloth to protect them from excessive sunlight, ensuring your greenery stays healthy and vibrant for your event.

Takin’ Care of Business

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While it may be taboo to talk about, the fact of the matter is, everyone has to go! So, why not enjoy the go? (Well said, Charmin.)

While a wedding venue is built for many guests, your home may not be able to handle the business of 100+ people.

United Rentals offers a variety of Restroom trailers from 2-station to 19-station restroom trailers based on the guest count and space available.

These luxury restroom trailers can provide an upscale experience with all the comforts of home, and ease the wear & tear on your home. The restroom trailer is a discreet heavy-hitter. They ensure top-level cleanliness and quality. With wide selection of portable sanitation products, including enhanced individual units, all come expertly serviced and fully stocked. You don’t have to worry about a thing on your big day!

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Light It Up!

romantic transparent event tent strung with market lights
Photo by Rudy & Marta

In our humble opinion, it’s all about the ambiance when planning a wedding at your home! Wedding lighting is a must, especially for evening events. Most venues have lighting solutions, but most private homes won’t have enough to cover the entire wedding event space. And rarely does a private home wedding have lighting options that are both functional and beautiful!

gorgeous wedding lighting for your wedding at home
Photo by OWPR

Most companies can design a pattern that not only accentuates your event space, but also provides plenty of lighting! What’s not to love? Add lighting to tents, pool decks, wide-open backyards, and more!

transparent wedding tent at night lit by blue uplighting
Photo by InStyle Imagery

For a truly romantic touch, consider incorporating a neon love sign—a vibrant centerpiece that not only lights up your event but also creates an Instagram-worthy moment your guests will cherish.

neon heart sign with red and pink hearts on a black background

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