2021 will be another chaotic year for wedding planning. With restrictions repeatedly being applied to gatherings, more and more couples are opting for an intimate, at-home wedding. After all, home is where the heart is!

We all hoped that the 2021 wedding season would be a return to normality, but it looks like for the first half at least, couples and vendors will have to keep adapting and trying to make the most of things as government restrictions frequently change.

Navigating through the wedding planning process can be challenging at the best of times. Throw in constantly evolving restrictions and you have a recipe for frustration. Planning, rescheduling, planning again, rescheduling… this pattern and the uncertainty it creates is what couples have been living through for over a year. Here at Union Eleven we must have rescheduled well over 100 weddings at this point - many more than once. All that being said, your wedding will happen! It’s not a matter of if, but when.

photograph of a bride getting ready for her wedding at home

In order to make sure their wedding follows government regulations, and to minimize the chances that they’ll need to reschedule (again), many couples are opting for an intimate wedding at their own home. While not the giant party you may have envisioned for your wedding, there are quite a few benefits to having it in your own backyard. For example - that sense of familiarity, complete customizability, budget friendliness, and being able to celebrate with loved ones in a place that already holds so many cherished memories.

photograph of a bride getting her makeup done at home

Private residences are typically not set up to host an event like a wedding. A lot needs to be done to get them ready for the big day. Rentals, lighting, parking, noise levels, catering, seating, and of course a rain plan all need to be considered. The logistics can get surprisingly complicated. Luckily, you can seek the help of an expert for this! Many wedding planners have spent the last year branching out and launching new services that specialize in smaller weddings.

If you’re considering an at home wedding, here are a few tips:

Try to utilize as much of your property as you can to maximize space, and dedicate different areas to different things. This is particularly important at the moment when some of your guests will likely need to maintain a safe distance from others.

Make a rain plan. Be flexible and have a plan B just in case. Consider renting a tent. Knowing that you have a rain plan in place will make looking at the weather report leading up to the big day much less stressful.

Make it your own. Getting married at home means you have complete creative freedom. Decorate however you like! Set up a croquet course, have two cocktail hours… just don’t tick off your neighbours!

Photograph of a bride walking to her backdoor wedding ceremony in beautiful light

We’ve photographed many at-home weddings over the past year, and they’ve all been fantastic. Our couples have enjoyed how they can focus on celebrating with the people that matter most, and not worry about giving every guest a small slice of their time. In return, guests love that they have the couple all to themselves!

The best thing about having your wedding at home is how personal it can be. Getting ready in your childhood room and coming down the staircase in your wedding dress can make the day feel that much more special. Having your wedding at home may not be what you’d always envisioned, but without a doubt, it can be just as special.