One of the most intimate and complicated types of events is a tented ceremony and reception at a private home. Couples frequently choose this style of wedding when they are trying to celebrate at a location that is sentimental like a childhood family home or a scenic estate.
Some believe that a "home wedding" under a tent will save money or will be in some way less complicated than a wedding at a professional venue.
Photo courtesy of E. Leise Photo Design
Tented events at a private home can be beautiful, meaningful and the source of amazing memories for all involved.
They are also both complex and more expensive than most people think.
Photo courtesy of Brad Howe Photography
If you are trying to decide whether or not to hold a tented wedding, answering these questions may help to clarify what you feel prepared for, and what you'd rather have handled by either by a facility or by a professional planner:
- Do you have sufficient space for the tent, guest and vendor parking, power for equipment and entertainers and restroom facilities? If not, are you prepared to bring them in at additional expense?
- Are you prepared to manage a large crew of caterers, florists and designers, entertainers, rental staff, photographers, videographers, servers, officiants and ceremony musicians - and guests - from set up, through the event and all the way to the end of "strike" or break down without having your own breakdown?
Photo courtesy of E. Leise Photo Design
- How do you feel about a large number of guests in your home? Do you have family you can assign to monitor your private property?
- Do you have sufficient restroom facilities for your number of guests? Are you willing to rent standard portable restrooms, or spend the extra dollars to rent the extra luxurious type (and power them with generators)?
- If modifications to the property are necessary to safely accommodate a tent of proper size or a specific setup, are you prepared and financially able to make major landscaping changes?
Photo courtesy of E. Leise Photo Design
- Are you prepared to research and acquire structure permits, event permits and sound variances as necessary?
- Does your budget allow for an inclement weather contingency plan (i.e. larger or secondary tents, tent connectors, alternate ceremony plans) - one that may involve spending money that doesn't go to use if the weather turns out to be beautiful?
- Are your neighbors prepared for the intrusion of dozens to hundreds of vehicles and guests? Do you have an off-site parking location and are you willing to provide transportation for guests in the form of shuttles?
- Can the property owner or host(ess) sufficiently manage the crew of vendors and staff required to run a professional event AND still enjoy the event, star in family photos, make toasts, and more?
Photo courtesy of Brad Howe Photography
You have either answered an enthusiastic "yes we can/will/shall/wish to" to each of the above, or you're starting to get a sinking feeling about the extent to which your wedding will require both coordination and post-traumatic-event therapy.
Tented receptions are not for the faint-of-heart, and truthfully, aren't for couples who are experiencing painful budget restrictions. You can have the backyard wedding of your dreams if you are realistic about what is involved.
Ultimately, you must decide what's more important...walking down your childhood steps to take your vows in a place that is deeply meaningful to you (and whether you will be aided by a professional wedding planner), or the peace of mind that using a reputable, professional facility can give.
I for one adore weddings at private homes - but I also love 20+ page timelines and the thrill of maintaining order in a chaos-prone situation. I'm the kind of crazy that does well under the pressure of a tented wedding at home - a lot of people are not.
Everyone will make different choices...you can rest easy knowing that no matter what you choose, you are well informed!
Happy planning!
Shayna Walker
Owner, Williamsburg Wedding Design
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