For those lucky enough to have access to beautiful private property, a wedding at home may be the perfect solution to finding just the right venue with a very personal touch. If torn between a backyard wedding and a venue, I ALWAYS recommend pricing out both options. A wedding on private property may not be saving you as much as you think.
Check out the questions below to help calculate backyard/private property wedding costs to compare to venue costs: (please note, this is ONLY helping calculate a venue comparison and does not include costs for dress, additional vendors, catering, décor, etc.)
- How will you handle inclement weather? Is a tent rental needed? Sidewalls? Heaters? Fans?
- How will you light the area in the dark? And can your power source handle the lighting needed?
- Will the grounds or landscaping need work beforehand? What will that cost?
- Will guests use the restrooms in the house, or are rentals needed? What will a rental cost?
- Where will guests park? Is a special permit needed and what will the permit cost?
- Is there a noise ordinance? Is a permit needed for this as well? Cost?
- If hiring a caterer, where will they set up? Is a second small tent needed for them?
- Will flooring need to be rented to avoid guests slipping or sinking if it should rain prior to or during the wedding?
- What is the cost of tables and chairs rentals? Does that cost factor in tables for buffet, cake, DJ, beverages, etc.? Does the rental company set up or is that an additional cost once they deliver and drop?
- Will chairs be moved from the ceremony site to the reception space, or does a second set of chairs need to be rented? If so, what is the cost?
- How will we support electrical needs of DJ, caterer is applicable, etc.?
- Will linens be rented or purchased? Cost?
- What is the cost of a day-of insurance policy to host at home? (this may differ from what a venue requires)
- How many trash cans will be needed? Who will empty them? And is there an additional cost for large volume trash pickup?
Though there isn’t a cost directly associated with it, your time is valuable. Factoring in the amount of time you will dedicate to preparing the private property and setting up may also assist in your decision making.
Helping YOU say ‘I-DO’,
Your WedUcator