In our previous blog we featured wedding venues in the Winelands. This week we will be focusing a little closer to home. For those planning an intimate, more affordable and personal wedding, there really is no place like home. Whether it be at your own home, parents’ home or friend’s home, it's all about being prepared for what it takes to throw a wedding in your ‘very own’ backyard.

Janet and Roderick’s wedding at their gorgeous home in Constantia was everything that they hoped it would be: cosy, unique and heartfelt. Surrounded by their nearest and dearest, they shared their vows at a church just down the street.

Although it may seem simple to host a wedding at home, there is plenty to plan when it comes to transforming a residence e into a beautiful wedding venue. 

Intimate? Yes. Stress-free? Not always. After planning and co-ordinating this beautiful wedding featured, here are some tips and advice on planning an at-home or ’backyard’ wedding celebration.

 

Tips and advice

Hiring a wedding co-ordinator will give you a fresh perspective on the property and what you can and cannot do. Talk to your wedding planner, décor and furniture-hiring company or caterer about the event layout before you do any work. They will be able to visualise and plan the layout, tables and prep areas that you may have forgotten to take into consideration. They will also be able to suggest layout ideas to maximize the space.
 

Marquee reception

Tents are great for backyard weddings, large or small. Not only will the shelter come in handy should there be a little intemperate weather on your wedding day , but it also provides you with much-needed screening from too much sun or wind (especially in Cape Town!). 

If you decide to host your reception on the outside lawn, keep in mind that the ground may not be level. Chairs, tables, the dance floor — you don't want any of these items to be on uneven ground. Professional tent companies can ascertain whether or not they need to put down a foundation or if they'll be able to lay a dance floor directly on the ground. The uneven lawn area can be easily converted into a flat surface by covering the grass with a floor or having a square of flooring under each table.

Another important thing to remember is the hiring of a generator. With all of the external suppliers such as caters, DJ and tent and outdoor lighting providers, a generator is a must to avoid the risk of a power outage!
 

You may need a permit

The last thing you want is for the police to crash your wedding celebration. Include your neighbours in your planning and let them know of your wedding plans well in advance. Enquire about the local noise regulations and whether you require a permit that places restrictions on noise. 
 

Décor and flowers

Garden style? Elegant? Rustic?  Every theme comes with different styles of décor and flowers - and even catering. You should also consider what makes the home unique - an elegant dining room would make for the perfect dining and reception area. A large oak tree in your backyard or landscaped and expansive lawn? An outdoor or marquee wedding would work perfectly under a stately tree — and think of the outdoor lighting possibilities!
 

Lighting

Decorating with garden lamps, paper lanterns, and tiny white lights strung on branches will create a stunning atmosphere. A huge perk of a backyard wedding is that you can light up the space with as many (or as few) beautiful strands of lights as you could possible want—and you can begin the stringing as early as you need to since no one else is renting your event space.

We suggest stringing lights throughout the ceiling of the tent and wrapping them around trees. Consider hanging or placing even more lights, Chinese lanterns and candles on chairs, tables, trees and other natural shrubbery. Wedding lighting is worth the upgrade almost every time. Take a look at these photos. What would they look like without such exquisite lighting?

If it's a warm day, extra electric fans and portable air conditioners can be brought in; on wintry days, propane heaters can warm up the space.

Entertainment

With an outdoor or indoor wedding, your backyard and outside area is a great place to entertain your guests. Lawn games are a fun and affordable way to entertain them while they wait for you to finish your photos or while they have a cocktail. Giant Jenga, croquet, boulles — there are so many to choose from!

Apart from hiring a professional photographer, this is a great way to involve your guests and create wedding memories with them. Or rent a photo booth or pass around disposable cameras to each of the tables.

To see the full wedding album by Joanne Markland Photography: http://joannemarkland.co.za/

Wedding Co-ordination: Nicola Jane Weddings

Shelley at Where's My Wedding