Preparing Your House for Your At Home Wedding

A wedding in your or a family member’s home can be a very personalized and special experience. Your friends and family may have been to your home many times, so it offers them comfortable environment. It can also offer you advantages you may not have at other venues. You can decorate completely as you choose, and your style is, no doubt, already reflected in your home. You don’t have to worry about what time you, your florist and your caterer can get in the space, or what time you have to leave. Even after the main event has wound down, your closest friends and family can stay long into the night, chatting on the patio, around the fireplace, at the dining room, or shooting a game of pool.

There is, however, some preparation needed to get your home ready.

1. Clean and Spruce Up Your House and Garden

• Does something need to be painted ( i.e. front door, address plaque)?
• Is there a cluttered room that needs to be cleared?
• Are there rooms that need to be set off limits from guests?
• Does the garden need clearing? Do you need to weed and plant? (BTW, make sure to water a
couple of days beforehand, so that everything is fresh, but not still wet. And don’t forget to turn
your sprinklers off if are on a timer. You don’t need any surprises as the procession down a
garden aisle starts.)
• Do large potted plants need to be moved? Or would you like to add some bedding plants?
• Would you like to add a gazebo, or widen a foot path?

2. Caterer

• Can the caterer use your kitchen? If so, are there any appliances that need to be repaired)?
• If the kitchen can not be used, decide on a space where the caterer can set up outside or
garage kitchen areas.
• Remember the caterer and rental company will have unpacked crates, boxes, ice chests etc. Is
there enough storage space for them (perhaps one of those cluttered room that need to be
cleared)?
• Ensure there is enough refrigeration and/or freezer space for the caterer’s needs.
• Are there enough electrical outlets? Do you need to pick a power strip or extensions cord?
Tip- make sure no one power line gets overloaded.

3. Rentals

• Determine your needs (i.e.tables, chairs, linens, carpet to create an aisle).
Tip-Have the caterer and event planner, if using one, and a rep from the rental
company-preferably all of them- do a walk through of your home. An experienced
rental rep can make wonderful suggestions on how to best use your space, and how
to maximize shady areas etc.

4. Trash

• Do you have sufficient trash receptacles? Tip- empty them before the wedding.
• Make sure the caterer knows where the trash cans are stored, and where they should go after
the reception is over. The same goes for any items repacked in rental crates.


5. Decor

• Consider adding lights or paper lanterns to decorate trees and foliage.
• Or renting additional potted trees or plants.
• If you have a pool or a pond, can you float candles or water lilies?
Tip- a rental company can help you decorate your home or yard, adding
lighting, a latticework structure to create a bower or gazebo, and even extra
furniture).

6. The Big Day

• Make sure that items like toilet paper, guest towels, hand soap are handy and in sufficient
supply, and perhaps delegate someone (ask if your caterer can have a member of their staff
attend to this) to make sure they are replenished as needed.

Finally, you may want to have a house keeper or someone who’s familiar with the house and family (not a member of the wedding party or family- remember, they are celebrating, too) to help your caterer and other vendors find their way around the house, and to act as a liaison between you, your family and members of your wedding party.


Gisele Perez is the owner of small pleasures catering in Los Angeles
(www.smallpleasurescatering.com) where she has been creating memorable celebrations for her discriminating clients since 1997. For more tips on great events visit her blog at www.smallpleasurescateringblog. com.