|
 Thinking
of a
sweetly
simple
backyard
wedding?
Here's
what to
consider
before
you
commit.
What
could be
simpler
than
having a
wedding
and
reception
at home?
While at
first
the idea
might
seem to
be the
easiest
and
least
expensive
option,
be aware
that
there
can be
some
costs
and
obstacles
you may
not have
considered.
For
example,
you will
probably
need to
either
rent (or
borrow)
nearly
all of
the
amenities.
These
items
include
tables,
chairs,
tents,
and a
dance
floor.
For a
large
group
you may
also
need to
rent
china,
glassware,
and
silverware
as well.
Next,
evaluate
the
house
itself
to
determine
whether
it is,
indeed,
a good
building
for the
size of
your
gathering.
Listed
below
are some
questions
to ask:
-
Is
the
kitchen
properly
equipped
and
large
enough
to
prepare
the
food
and/or
accommodate
a
catering
staff?
One
average-size
refrigerator,
for
example,
may
not
be
sufficient
to
hold
all
of
the
wedding
day
food.
Are
there
enough
ovens,
sinks,
and
counter
space
for
preparation,
baking,
and
cleanup?
-
Is
there
a
suitable
spot
in
the
yard
large
enough
to
handle
the
ceremony
itself
or
the
reception
tables?
Do
you
have
a
level
area
for
a
rented
tent
and/or
dance
floor?
What
is
your
backup
plan
if
the
day
is
hot,
cold,
or
rainy
and
the
event
must
move
indoors?
-
Is
there
an
indoor
space
big
enough
to
hold
the
number
of
guests
invited?
Will
you
need
to
rearrange
furniture
to
handle
the
chairs
needed
for
the
ceremony
and
the
tables
and
chairs
needed
for
the
reception?
If
so,
will
you
need
to
put
furniture
in
storage
to
make
room
for
the
event?
-
Is
your
home
air
conditioned
in
case
of
hot
weather,
or
properly
heated
in
winter?
-
Is
your
floor
plan
sufficient
with
wide
pathways
to
handle
mingling
guests
as
well
as
waitstaff
who
will
need
to
carry
trays
of
food,
drinks,
and
dessert?
-
Is
there
space
for
a
bar,
DJ,
or
band?
How
about
power
outlets,
a
stage,
or
sound
system?
-
Are
there
easily
accessible
bathrooms
suitable
for
the
number
of
guests
who
will
attend?
-
Do
you
have
room
for
overnight
guests
(relatives
or
the
wedding
party),
or
will
they
need
to
stay
in a
hotel?
Are
there
enough
changing
rooms
for
the
wedding
party?
-
Can
your
guests
park
their
cars
nearby?
You
might
consider
hiring
a
valet
or
shuttle
bus
service,
especially
if
the
parking
needs
to
be a
good
distance
from
the
house.
-
Is
the
neighborhood
suited
to
hosting
this
type
of
gathering?
Will
any
of
your
neighbors
complain
about
crowded
parking,
delivery
trucks,
or
music
after
9
p.m.?
-
Are
your
interiors
ready
for
guests?
Think
twice
about
inviting
50
guests
if
your
carpets
are
white,
you
have
a
multitude
of
fragile
knick-knacks,
or
will
fret
about
every
spill.
-
Certainly
every
house
will
present
its
own
rewards
as
well
as
challenges.
But
no
matter
what
obstacles
you're
faced
with
when
planning
a
home
wedding,
one
thing's
for
sure
--
there's
no
place
like
home!
|
