At Home Wedding

An at Home wedding can be the perfect choice to celebrate your big day. When searching for a wedding venue, it can be a little overwhelming (and expensive!), you might just have the wedding venue of your dreams on your doorstep.

Over the years I’ve photographed hundreds of at home weddings. They can provide you with a unique bespoke venue, save some money (not always!) and allow you to have a personal connection to the setting.

I’ve tried to collate some information, tips tricks and ideas below, and of course lots of photographs.

Where to have your at home wedding

It does not have to be your own home. I’ve seen many celebrations at local farmers field’s, next door neighbours gardens, parents houses and properties of family members. The space can be a front garden, back gardens, woodland or lawn. Basically any space with room for a marquee or similar for you anticipated number of guests.

Size

I’ve shot home garden weddings with 20 guests in small back gardens, and others with 250+ guests in huge fields or estates. You are only limited by your space (and how big you want your wedding to be).

When

Summer tends to be most common due to the weather being warmer (but not always drier!), but I’ve shot many winter home weddings too, tepees with log burners are so cosy in the colder months!

Facilities

No need to wreck the house. A marquee, teepee tent or similar can provide ample room to seat al your guests. You’ll also want to consider hiring loo’s,  parking for guests, access for guests and suppliers and catering. One of the great things about a home wedding is that you can personalise everything for the day. Make your own signage, create / buy lawn games, let your imagination run wild! 

Accommodation

If you have space, it can be great to have somewhere for  guests (the brave one’s) to pop up a tent and camp (or set up some bell tents, many companies will do this for you). A nice cosy belle tent can be the perfect place for the bride and groom to stay if there is not an appropriate room on site. Nearby hotels are also an option.

Formal Photos

Somewhere for group shots and a place nearby for some relaxed B&G portraits is really helpful. The way I shoot weddings, this is not super important, I’m all to find perfect backgrounds in almost any setting. We can always go for a drive in my car to a local spot if needed.

Ceremony

Currently there are two options that most people go for:

1. Traditional Church ceremony before everyone heads to the home for celebrations 
2. Registry office ceremony on another date before the wedding – This can be followed by a humanist ceremony at home on the wedding day, performed by a family member / friend, or official celebrant.

Let the day run smoothly

Get a wedding planner, or at the very least someone (can be a friend) that will ensure the day sticks to a timetable and keeps guests organised. I’m all for laid back relaxed weddings, but letting timings slip and guests not getting food until 10pm is never a good way to get the party going! 

Photography

Pick and experienced photographer that will document the story of your day, allowing you to show future generations of the day you got married at home, and how hard you partied! Get in touch to check my availability.

More photographs from weddings at home below…

Some more at home weddings…