Top Ten Tips from Antonia of Honour and Pop, an on-the-day-wedding coordinator.
Hosting a wedding in your home is a deeply personal and unique way to celebrate your big day. Whether you’re envisioning a garden marquee bursting with blooms or an intimate indoor affair, planning a wedding in your home comes with its own set of challenges and joys. As a marquee wedding planner who has coordinated countless at-home weddings across Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Hampshire, I’ve learned what makes these celebrations truly special. Here’s how to plan a wedding reception at home in style (and without losing your mind!).
1. Understanding the legal side – can you get married in your garden in the UK?
Before we dive into the practical planning, it’s important to address a question many couples ask: can you legally get married in your garden?
In England and Wales, legal marriages must take place in a licensed venue. This means that your garden, unless it meets specific licensing requirements, cannot legally host the ceremony. However, this doesn’t mean your garden can’t be the heart of your celebration.
Most couples choose to combine the charm of a home wedding with a practical legal solution. By completing the formalities at a licensed venue or registry office (either on the morning of your garden celebration or a day or two before), you can enjoy complete freedom to create a bespoke celebration at home without worrying about legal restrictions.
Alternatively, a celebrant-led ceremony in your garden offers complete creative freedom to design a meaningful, personal ceremony that reflects your relationship. While not legally binding, it allows you to share your vows in the comfort of your own garden, surrounded by loved ones.
For a detailed guide to the legal requirements and alternatives, take a look at my complete guide: Can You Get Married Legally in Your Garden?
2. Do your homework: research your marquee company
For a home wedding, a marquee is often the centrepiece that gives you huge flexibility. Choosing the right marquee company is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when planning a wedding in your home.
Start with Google searches, ask friends and family for recommendations, read reviews, dive into Instagram feeds and online galleries. It is important to get an understanding of a marquee company’s style and capabilities and whether they will match your vision.
Any reputable marquee company will want a site visit (any company that doesn’t offer this free of charge is a little questionable) to assess your space and discuss your ideas in detail. Use this opportunity to share your inspiration pictures and clarify the nitty-gritty, such as flooring, furniture, lighting and extras you may want and need such as stages, bars or generators.
Because there’s quite a lot to consider when selecting your marquee company, I’ve written a comprehensive guide that walks you through the entire process: How to Choose Your Marquee Company. It covers everything from marquee styles to questions you should ask during site visits.
3. Plan for all the space you need
Planning a wedding reception at home often requires more room than you think. Beyond space for your marquee and guests, you’ll need to allow for space for your caterers to prepare food, where your loos will go (more on this later but you probably don’t want guests using loos in your house) and where your fridge trailer will be positioned (yes you will need one for all the food and drinks).
A generator is vital. Trust me, this is non-negotiable. Watching the power cut out mid first dance is a memory no one wants. Generators are generally delivered on a trailer and can be noisy so you will want to think about how and where this will sit alongside your main marquee.
Also, think about the layout. Do you want these practical areas hidden from view, or are you happy for them to be part of the setup? A good flow between spaces is important and can make all the difference especially for suppliers working behind the scenes.
Understanding these practical considerations is one of the reasons many couples choose to work with a marquee wedding planner who can anticipate what you’ll need and where everything should go.
4. Be ready for the Great British weather
Ah, the great British weather. Always unpredictable, even in the height of summer.
It is essential, whatever the time of year, to have a rain plan when planning a wedding in your home. Is your marquee big enough to hold all your guests comfortably if it rains? (If you’re having your wedding ceremony at home do consider if the marquee will be able to be set up to incorporate the ceremony as well as the reception?)
If your wedding is in cooler months, consider the option of hard flooring under the marquee carpet to stop damp and wet coming through and ensure you have heating options. This will make a huge difference in keeping your guests comfortable.
I’ve written a comprehensive guide on common marquee wedding mistakes that covers weather planning in much more detail.
5. Hire an on-the-day wedding coordinator
Organising a wedding at home often feels like a military operation with multiple suppliers, countless moving parts and all the last-minute details. Hiring an on-the-day wedding coordinator will be the best money you spend.
A good on-the-day wedding coordinator will handle everything from ensuring the band arrives on time to managing the caterers, lighting the candles, guiding guests, ensuring times are kept to and that the day runs perfectly, leaving you free to sip champagne and soak up the magic. When your wedding is at home, this kind of support is invaluable for your peace of mind.
As a wedding day coordinator who specialises in at-home and marquee weddings, I manage the logistics so you can enjoy every moment of your celebration.
Take at look at my on-the-day wedding coordinator package.
5. Think about where you want to have your wedding photos
Don’t let your marquee placement overshadow beautiful photo spots in your garden. Work with your on-the-day wedding coordinator or marquee company to position it in a way that preserves those picturesque backdrops for your couple portraits.
This is particularly important if you’re hosting a wedding in your home because the garden and house are likely part of what makes the setting special to you. Plan the marquee layout to complement, not compete with, your favourite views.
6. Don’t forget the loos
It’s not glamorous, but portable loos are essential for a home wedding – trust me you will not want guests traipsing through your house! Forget builder’s Portaloo boxes; think luxury loos with full-length mirrors, scented hand soaps and space to fix your hair and makeup. Most marquee companies can help you arrange these, so let them handle the details. If you are having a two-day event, ensure the loos have capacity for two days or ask for a clean and service to be carried out before the second day celebrations start.
7. Remember to track your wedding budget
A common myth is that hosting a wedding at home is cheaper than hiring a traditional wedding venue. While you may save on venue hire, costs for marquees, furniture, lighting, catering and utilities like power and loos can quickly add up. To keep things manageable, work with excellent suppliers who can bundle some of these services together. This will help you stay on top of your budget without sacrificing quality.
Understanding the true costs of a home wedding is crucial. I always recommend couples work through a detailed marquee wedding checklist early in the planning process, and create a comprehensive wedding budget from the start. If you need guidance on how to approach wedding budgeting, I’ve written a complete guide: Ten Steps for Creating a Wedding Budget.
8. Make it look beautiful
One of the greatest advantages of a home wedding is the limitless creative freedom it offers. A marquee is a blank canvas, ready to reflect your unique style. With so many different marquee styles available you can create the perfect backdrop whether rustic, bohemian, classic, elegant, festival or vibrant. Lighting, flowers, hanging installations, furniture and textures are just some of the elements to consider in your décor.
At-home weddings give you the chance to create a space that’s uniquely yours. If you’re looking for inspiration, my guide to luxury marquee wedding ideas and marquee decoration tips offer plenty of styling inspiration.
As a wedding stylist with a background in interior design, this is one of my favourite aspects of planning home weddings, creating a cohesive design that feels both beautiful and authentically you.
9. Add those personal touches
Hosting at home means you’re not at the mercy of any venue restrictions (but maybe check if you are using your parents’ or friends’ home) but generally if you want giant light-up letters on the lawn? Go for it. Dreaming of a dramatic entrance involving your dog? Why not? Go wild with personal touches and elements that are meaningful and special to you both as a couple.
This freedom is exactly why many couples choose to have their wedding in their home rather than a traditional venue. You can truly make every detail your own.
10. Why you’ll love planning a wedding in your home with the right support
Yes, planning a wedding at home takes more effort, but the rewards are unmatched.
Waking up in your own bed and looking out the window to see the marquee ready to welcome your loved ones is something truly special. Pottering around with your hair in rollers, catching glimpses of the caterers working their magic in unexpected spaces are memories you’ll treasure forever.
With the right suppliers and a bit of organisation, hosting your wedding at home will be one of the best decisions you make. It’s hard work, but when you see your vision come to life surrounded by all your favourite people, it’s worth every second.
For more support read my guide – is a marquee wedding right you?
Looking for professional support? I can plan a wedding in your home
As a wedding planner based in Berkshire, I specialise in planning weddings at home across the South of England. Whether you’re planning a Berkshire wedding, an Oxfordshire celebration or a destination-style wedding on the Isle of Wight, I bring the same calm coordination and attention to detail to every at-home wedding I plan.
From full wedding planning services to on-the-day coordination, I tailor my support to what you actually need. Every wedding is different, and I’m here to make sure yours runs smoothly from start to finish.
Planning a wedding in your home? Honour & Pop specialises in marquee weddings and on-the-day wedding coordination, creating unforgettable celebrations that blend expert planning with personal touches that feel truly you. Contact me today to start your journey!
Antonia x
Wedding Suppliers:
Photography – Barker and Evans
Marquee – Red Crest Events
Wedding Planning and Styling – Honour and Pop
FAQ: Planning a Wedding in Your Home
Can you get married in your garden UK?
In England and Wales, legal marriages must take place in a licensed venue. Most private gardens cannot host legal ceremonies unless specially licensed. However, you can complete the legal formalities at a registry office and have a celebrant-led ceremony in your garden. Read more about getting married legally in your garden.
Do I need a wedding planner for a home wedding?
While not essential, a wedding planner or on-the-day coordinator is highly valuable for home weddings due to the complex logistics of bringing everything together. Many couples find this support invaluable for peace of mind.
How much does it cost to host a wedding at home?
Costs vary widely, but you’ll need to budget for marquee hire, furniture, lighting, catering equipment, generators, portable loos and more. It’s often comparable to or even more than a traditional venue when all elements are included.
When should I start planning a wedding in my home?
Ideally 12-18 months in advance to secure the best marquee companies and suppliers, though shorter timelines can work with realistic expectations and expert guidance.
What do I need to consider when planning a wedding at home?
Key considerations include space for the marquee plus infrastructure (catering area, generator, toilets), power supply, parking and guest access, weather contingency plans and coordinating multiple suppliers.
Can I save money by having my wedding at home?
Not necessarily. While you save on venue hire, you’ll need to pay for everything a venue would normally provide: marquee, furniture, power, toilets, staff and more. Work through a detailed budget early in the planning process.
