(click to enlarge)
Jessica, who was a bridesmaid in a wedding with me, is now becoming the bride! She'll be having an intimate affair at her parent's home. This board is for the Spring "at-home" wedding and incorporates a handful of DIY links. And if I haven't said it once, I'll say it a million times: Don't be shy , flaunt your venue with these DIY ideas! Work with the environment, not against it. Using colorful luminaries, fruit, simple centerpieces, and whimsical details enhance the home wedding and allow the venue to shine. Tomorrow's board will hone more in on Jessica's home Fall wedding, which will be trickier!
Homestyle weddings can be elaborate or elegantly intimate affairs. I had my reception at a friend's home (which was wonderful) and here are some things I learned.
Personal: Anne of Green Gables says a house isn't a home until it's had a death, a birth and a wedding. By using your home means that you'll think of those happy memories every time you go home. It's intimate and personal and will make any house your home. Cost: Your house is cheaper than renting a large venue- though as I mention below, there can be many hidden costs that can sometimes equal renting a venue, depending on how you plan your event. Decorations: As most home weddings tend to utilize the backyard, so there's less decorating needed. Strands of Christmas lights, candles, and lanterns create nearly all the ambiance you need outdoors.
Cons:
Rental equipment: You don't have to have a tent (I didn't) but between renting chairs, tables, linens, and dinnerware, it may be more costly than using a venue who provides these things. Bathrooms, parking, neighbors, cleaning: If you're having a large shindig, then you may need to rent extra bathrooms as plumbing per house has its limit, not to mention long lines. Parking issues may require a permit from the city and hiring responsible neighbors to help valet. Neighbors will need advanced warning and you should respect your city's noise curfew. Also, you'll need to hire cleaners before and after the wedding. Bugs: You may consider tenting your house before the wedding to make sure your guests aren't eaten alive, or consider providing bug repellent to your guests during the wedding.
Top row: Flower design by Fleuretica, Hanging votives available at Cox and Cox, Picture by Jon Koch, Second Row: Confetti holders available through Cox and Cox, DIY Luminaries from Martha Stewart, Third Row: Photo courtesy of Style Me Pretty, Table photo courtesy of Social Design, DIY Centerpieces from Martha Stewart, Forth Row: Drinks photo courtesy of Pearl's Events Blog, Photo courtesy of Always a Bridesmaid Blog, DIY Chinese Lanterns courtesy of Martha Stewart.
Posts
2 comments:
I had a lovely outdoor wedding. Though the cost was on par with a venue. Another thing to keep in mind is electricity needs. Between the DJ and the Caterer we needed to turn off the power in the rest of the house to make sure a fuse was not blown at an important moment.
& we had all of the other things too. Neighbor boys to direct parking, Bug treatment to prevent bug bites, a tent, and a trusted friend who sat inside and watched the house & directed visitors to the bathrooms.
This is gorgeous, Melissa!
Post a Comment