A wedding is a pivotal moment in anybody’s life, allowing them to share their love with the person that matters most to them. Yet, the amount of planning and effort that goes into these ceremonies is immense, leaving many people feeling very stressed at the first hurdle. As such, many newlyweds may decide to push away from convention and take a different approach to their upcoming wedding. As such, this article will explore everything you need to know about having a wedding at home.
How to Achieve an Ideal Home Wedding: 9 Expert Tips
1. Have Your Gutters Cleaned
Though we may not give them a second thought, gutters are a key part of any attractive home. These metal structures use a semicircle shape to make sure that they can effectively collect any dirt, grime, or debris that has slid off of your roof. As such, this asset stops this mess from falling on the floor and spoiling the overall appearance of your exterior. As such, this simple aspect means that those having a wedding at home can rest assured that their property will look spotless all throughout the big day. However, if your gutters become clogged or overflow, they can become less effective and this clutter can spill out onto the floor. If you’re concerned about the quality of your guttering system, you may benefit from recruiting a gutter cleaning service. Throughout this process, a trained contractor will scoop out all the accumulated debris and leave your gutters clean once again. Though many homeowners can simply climb up a ladder and complete this job for themselves, a high-quality cleaning service is useful for those with serious guttering problems. Today’s Homeowner states that this service usually costs $155-$450, with the average price sitting at $165. So, this can be a cost-effective way to ensure that your home is looking prim and proper in time for your wedding.
2. Install a Decking
For those having a wedding at home, it’s important that you work to improve the exterior of your home as well as the interior. This is imperative for couples who are eager to hold a charming ceremony in their backyards or to use this space for family get-togethers. If you’re fortunate enough to have a spacious lawn area, consider also adding a decking area installed. This structure is typically constructed from various types of hardwood and is commonly used to create a space for entertaining that is separate from the rest of the lawn. As such, you can use this deck as a barbecuing area or make it a designated space for late-night cocktails. A series of expert deck builders can construct this structure with ease, ensuring that you can receive the best results possible. Plus, for a basic decking area, this process usually only takes 1–3 days, ensuring that it’ll be ready in time for the big day. Although this asset can seem quite expensive, with Lawn Love explaining that this process normally costs $21 per square foot, it can add a lot of value to your home. This is especially beneficial for those looking to move into a new home after they get married and are eager to make great strides in the property market.
3. Have Your Home Cleaned
No one likes living in a dirty house, so why should you be expected to get married in one? Though a few dirty dishes are to be concerned about, if you’ve noticed that your home has fallen into complete disarray, you may need a helping hand. Hiring a local cleaning service can help you prepare for having a wedding at home, making sure you have one less thing to worry about in the lead-up to the big day. These professionals are highly skilled and are more than capable of completing a series of household tasks such as dusting, vacuuming, and cleaning various surfaces. If you’re keen to receive a more affluent and elevated service, you could also work alongside someone who is able to complete your laundry and organize your personal belongings. Obviously, the cost of this service varies greatly depending on the size of your home and the tasks at hand, but Thumbtack states that the national average is around $40-$50 per hour. As such, this is a very affordable service to help get your house in order and also gives you the chance to focus more of your energy on other aspects of wedding planning.
4. Upgrade Your Lawn
For those who are eager to add a sense of rustic charm to your wedding, consider taking the ceremony outside to your backyard. This can give the whole experience a much more natural and pastoral atmosphere. Yet, this type of ceremony requires a lot of effort and renovation, particularly concerning your lawn area. If your lawn is looking a little tired and discolored, you may benefit from reaching out to a local lawn care company. These businesses typically work on a periodic basis, helping to add fertilizer and weed control practices to your backyard to make your grass seem healthier and more vibrant. As such, this may not be an ideal service for those who are looking to get married fairly quickly, but it’s a great resource for couples who want to make sure everything is perfect when having a wedding at home. Angi explains that a typical lawn care service costs anywhere from $50 to $250, but extra maintenance costs can be priced at $125-$450. In turn, it’s important that you consider these potential additional costs when forming a budget for your wedding.
5. Upgrade Your Plumbing
If you plan on allowing guests to travel in and out of your property when having a wedding at home, it’s vital that you ensure that your plumbing network is in good condition. A clogged toilet or a slow drain can wreak havoc during your big day, so it’s best to contact a local plumber to help survey your entire system. Throughout this service, a contractor will examine the intricacies of your plumbing network, highlighting any faults or areas of concern. The individual will then offer a selection of remedies to help solve these issues and help your home to continue running smoothly. Depending on the types of issues you’re facing, the cost of a plumber can differ extensively. Home Guide notes that a plumber typically charges $125-$350 for small jobs and $500 to $800 for larger jobs. The source also reminds homeowners that plumbers normally impose a call-out charge of $50 to $200 that usually covers the first hour of work. Thus, it’s paramount that you account for this cost when assigning funds to your overall wedding budget.
6. Install a Bar Area
Though weddings are commonly associated with unconditional love and expression, they’re also a great excuse to get the drinks flowing. If you plan on having a wedding at home, you benefit from installing a bar on your property to help reduce the cost of drinks. Since you or a loved one can serve drinks at your own pace, you don’t have to worry about coughing up hundreds of dollars to pay for a bartender for a single night. Plus, these bars can be customized in a number of quirky ways, meaning that homeowners can enjoy a typical British pub or even a Tiki bar in the comfort of their own homes. It should be noted that home bars are normally separated into two main categories: custom-made and pre-made. According to Home Advisor, the former is made to seamlessly fit inside your home and can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000. However, the latter is built in advance and comes in an abundance of established sizes and designs. As such, pre-made bars are considered to be a much cheaper option, costing $800 to $6,000, excluding the cost of plumbing.
7. Upgrade Your Kitchen
The kitchen is the perfect environment for emotive conversations and creating cherished memories together as a family. In turn, it’s good practice to improve your kitchen when having a wedding at home. Alongside purchasing a new set of shiny kitchen gadgets and stylish cabinets, consider researching some countertop installation services in your area. A new set of high-quality countertops can not only give your entire space a more sophisticated and elegant look but can also extend the longevity of your kitchen for many years to come. Therefore, you are free to craft a selection of delicious meals together as you start your new life as a married couple. Since there are so many styles to choose from, the cost of this installation can fluctuate greatly. Forbes explains that the average kitchen contains around 30 square feet of counter space and the countertops themselves can cost anywhere from $3 to $200 per square foot. Thus, newlyweds have the chance to truly reinvent the overall look and feel of their kitchen whilst still remaining within the confines of their budget.
8. Hire a Skip
Although having a wedding at home can require homeowners to bring a lot of new items into their house, they may also be required to throw a lot of things out. Whether it’s making space for the ceremony or just conducting a big spring cleaning session, all of this stuff must be placed somewhere until it’s ready to be distributed to a waste management center. If you relate to this situation, you may be better off hiring a waste removal service to help you during this process. This service typically supplies homeowners with various kinds of skips and dumpsters, ensuring that they continue to get rid of clutter and old belongings, without making their home seem too overcrowded. Fixr.com highlights that the price range for this kind of service is $150-$600, but the national average is actually a lot lower at $300. It should also be mentioned that some junk removal companies charge per item, so it’s best to conduct some research into these services before selecting the one that’s right for you.
9. Upgrade Your Heating and Cooling Facilities
Although you may desire a winter wonderland theme when having a wedding at home, you must also ensure that your guests remain comfortable throughout the entire ceremony. Many modern homes rely on heating and cooling systems and when they start to fail, many of us are forced to feel uneasy. Thus, if you notice that your temperature system is not working as it should, you should reach out to an acclaimed HVAC service as soon as possible. This service typically involves a contractor visiting your home and examining the ins and outs of your furnace and AC unit. If they believe that they can resolve the issues at hand, they will collect a series of new parts and fixtures to get the job done as quickly as possible. However, if they believe that your units are beyond standard repair, they may suggest that you invest in a new AC installation or a furnace replacement. According to Bankrate, a new HVAC system can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $12,500, so there’s no denying that this is a very expensive process. However, a new HVAC system can also help you to save money in the future. Since these systems use a lot less energy than their older counterparts, you can expect to see a great decline in your energy bills. Thus, you can use this extra cash to spend on yourself, perhaps putting it toward your honeymoon or purchasing your dream wedding outfit.
Having a wedding at home is undoubtedly a great way to bring the whole family together in a safe and comforting environment. However, if your home is not up to scratch, it can make it harder for you to enjoy the wedding you’ve always dreamed of. Plus, a lot of these renovations are quite costly, so they can put strain on your budget. However, with the right services and resources, you can plan your ideal wedding without the fuss. In turn, be sure to use the tips and tricks presented throughout this piece when looking to plan your big day.
