Photo via Pixabay by MermaidsWhims
More and more people are discovering the advantages of having their wedding at home these days. With the rising costs and limited availability of wedding venues, many couples would rather find a way to plan their nuptials on a budget and save the money for the downpayment on a house, or for traveling. It’s not always easy to prepare for a home wedding that meets all your wishes. It takes a lot of careful planning and involves quite a few moving parts, meaning you’ll have to be flexible and think on your feet when something inevitably doesn’t go as planned. Fortunately, we’ve assembled a guide that can help you discover some at-home wedding ideas on a budget.
Update the Space and Get Organized
If you plan it right and can get the work done ahead of time, a home wedding is a good excuse to make slight improvements to the house. It may be helpful to pretend you’re selling the property. If you were getting a home appraisal and thinking about improvements that would have the best return, they’re generally the things that people will notice and appreciate, but that are also manageable expenses, like replacing the front door or upgrading the landscaping.
If you’re hosting the wedding, there’s a lot of planning, and it pays to get organized. Even when you’re exploring at-home wedding ideas on a budget, the number of moving parts that need to be considered can seem overwhelming if you try looking at everything at once. Stay sane and on track by breaking things down into more manageable slices, or by delegating tasks when you can.
Think About What Each Section of the Home Will Do
When tackling at-home wedding ideas on a budget, many couples choose to have their home do double or even triple duty, acting as the site of the wedding, reception, and guest quarters for out-of-towners. You’ll need to figure out exactly how each room will be used and what it needs to be successful. Get a firm “yes” or “no” from out-of-town guests and find out what their plans are for accommodations. You might offer your spare bedroom to your grandparents, for instance, and set up a nearby hotel room for someone who will have their own car handy during their stay.
If you decide to set up your guest room for visitors, make sure everything’s on point. Replace old linens, update the pillows, and if you want, revamp the room’s walls and decor. Spicing up the walls will require a bit of work, but if you opt for peel-and-stick or prepasted wallpaper, you can get incredible results without lifting a paintbrush. Here’s the best part: prepasted and peel-and-stick wallpaper is completely removable, meaning you don’t have to commit to something long-term. Your guests will certainly thank you for it!
Prep the Yard
While it’s a lot of work to get a home ready for a wedding, it doesn’t have to be stressful. Think about the details; for instance, if the nuptials will take place in the backyard, make sure the yard is manicured. In the greater Los Angeles area, there are more than 180 landscape companies to choose from. Compare rates and reviews for a dependable one in your price range.
If the home can’t accommodate the guests, you’ll need overflow areas or a wedding with hosting space outside. In L.A. you’ve got great weather year-round, but have a backup plan in the event of rain. A tent can handle light to moderate rain and is good for the shade anyway.
If your reception will be held at home as well, the kitchen will need lots of clean counter space and possibly an extra storage rack for trays or supplies for the caterers.
Consider the Food
Food and drink are often two of the biggest expenses for couples on their wedding day, and this can be a problem when you’re looking for at-home wedding ideas on a budget. However, you have many options that can help make things easier. You can choose to serve only appetizers instead of a meal, for instance (although the time of day your wedding occurs is a factor here), or have cupcakes instead of one big cake. Some couples even get creative and serve their favorite sweets — such as donuts or a candy buffet — instead of having cake at all.
Plan the Entertainment and Hire a Photographer
Finally, entertainment is the last item you’ll need to check off your list, so determine what you’re going to have and where you can set up. For example, if you plan to hire a D.J. like Mark Anthony Entertainment in the greater L.A. area, talk to them about the best place for them to set up for the afterparty. Consider the number of guests and enough floor space for dancing.
A photographer is a must, but you can also set up a group chat where guests can send their photos, so you’ll have lots of candid shots in addition to the ones from the professional. Coordinate with the bride to check out professional portfolios and rates, and go with the one who you trust to deliver portraits that will match the magnitude of the event.
At-home wedding ideas on a budget don’t have to be stressful, and it doesn’t mean that the big day won’t be everything you want it to be. The focus should always be on celebrating the couple who have committed to each other and brought everyone together. It’s going to be a great wedding.
In the greater L.A. area, Mark Anthony Entertainment has competitive pricing and over twenty-five years of experience. Contact him today!
