Home Elopement Wedding In Maryland

Julian + Emily

How to Throw a Kickass Wedding at Home (Without Losing Your Mind or Your Lawn)

So, you’re thinking about having your wedding at home. First off—hell yes. It’s intimate, it’s personal, and you don’t have to deal with weird venue rules about candles or how many seconds your first kiss can last. But before you start clearing out your garage for a dance floor, let’s talk real tips to make your home wedding feel epic instead of chaotic.

1. Pick the Spot, Then Own It

Backyard? Living room? That patch of grass by the big tree that kinda looks like a Pinterest board when the sun hits just right? Cool. Just commit. You don’t need acres—just a space you can shape into your version of perfect. Tents can work wonders, and string lights are basically magic.

2. The Guest List Game

This is where things get brutal. Your home isn’t a stadium, so unless you’re planning on building a second story or hosting guests in the neighbor’s pool, keep it tight. Invite the people you actually want to be around when you’re ugly-crying during vows. Quality over quantity, always.

3. Get Legit

Permits. Parking. Noise ordinances. Yeah, it’s boring—but trust me, you don’t want your reception shut down by a cranky neighbor or the county. A quick call to your local city office can save you a whole lot of regret (and fines).

4. Prep the House Like Beyoncé’s Coming Over

Bathrooms? Need more. Lawn? Cut it. Power? May need a boost (generators are your friend). Hire a cleaning crew the day before and after. Bonus tip: designate one off-limits room where you can hide from humans if it all gets too much.

5. Hire Pros Where It Counts

I get the DIY hype, but unless your cousin is secretly Gordon Ramsay and your aunt is Martha Stewart, bring in help. Caterers, a planner or day-of coordinator, and photographers who know their stuff (like me) are worth every penny.

6. Build in Time to Soak It All Up

At-home weddings fly by just like the big ones. So don’t get so wrapped up in logistics that you forget to be present. Steal a moment with your partner before the chaos kicks in. Take a mental snapshot. Drink your champagne. Eat your damn cake.

At the end of the day, home weddings aren’t about flashy venues or grand gestures. They’re about heart. Yours. So make it yours, make it meaningful, and maybe don’t forget to warn your neighbors about the 90s dance playlist in advance.

You got this.