Throwing a Gorgeous Private Home Wedding

If you are lucky enough to have a gorgeous private home for a wedding, then you’re already well on your way to hosting a beautiful and memorable event! The familiar comforts of home provide a backdrop that is not only inviting but also filled with personal memories. Sharing such a significant moment in a place that holds sentimental value deepens the connection you have with each other and your guests. You have the freedom to tailor the details to reflect your unique style, whether it’s through thoughtfully arranged decor or a menu filled with your favorite dishes, making the day entirely yours.

Here are some tips, through the lens of a caterer, for you to keep in mind when planning for a private home wedding:

• Hire an event expert to confirm that your intended guest count will actually fit. Most professional rental companies or caterers can provide you with a site-visit consultation to answer logistical questions or concerns.
• Is your gorgeous outdoor space sloped, flat, grassy, sandy, slippery, or rocky? Think of how your guests will navigate your property in high-heeled shoes.
• Consider your “event space” in 4 sections:
  1. One space large and flat enough for the ceremony.
  2. One space large and flat enough for dinner, the bar and dancing.
  3. One logistics space that’s “behind the scenes” for staging and cooking that won’t be an eyesore for the guests.
  4. Consider areas for guests to park or make a valet plan.

We catered a wedding in a gorgeous home overlooking the San Juan Islands, which was exquisite for the guests. There was one big problem for us – the kitchen tent was set up on a driveway with superfine dust. The entire night, we battled dust being kicked up in the air, breathing it, and floating down on the plates. We had to be extra careful and do additional work to keep everything dust-free all evening. Who would have ever thought that dust would be an issue to consider?

Consider this not-so-glamorous checklist when converting outdoor spaces that are not normally outfitted for events:

• The number of bathrooms and ease of accessibility.
• Shade or protection from heat for the elderly.
• Plan for ROVER…the dog may beat the couple to the wedding cake!
• Bees! They love food, especially cake. One client gave us a giant raw steak to place far from the guests to attract the bees away from the ceremony. It worked!
• Power, heat and light sources for the catering team. Sometimes the garage is the best place to set up the kitchen or scullery for flexible workspace and power sources.
• What’s your rain plan? The weather can be unpredictable! Do you want to take a chance that it won’t rain? We highly recommend you plan for a tent. You’ll be happy you did!
• Safety considerations for guests and event staff. Dangerous driveways, steep stairs, large animals, cliffs, sharp drop-offs to the water or pool? Make a safety plan for small kids, the elderly, and the possible tipsy wedding guest. (A sleep space or Uber plan is good, too.)
• Space for the rental company to drop off and pick up all the event rentals needed that is protected from rain.
• A place to dump liquids, garbage and recycling.
• Know your state’s liquor laws. Make sure your caterer is licensed. Most homeowners providing the home may not realize they share liability in addition to the caterer or bar service for alcohol-related accidents. AND states that are weed-friendly will hold hosts liable for guests leaving high.

There are a lot of things to think about when planning a wedding at a private home. There are certainly pros and cons, but it can be the perfect venue for a personal touch on your special day. If you can do it and you are willing to open your home to guests for your wedding, or the wedding of a family member, it may be the best place for a beautiful and memorable event.