Help with planning a home wedding...?

Question

The affair will be very small, 30 guests or under, in our 3 bedroom split level w/ spacious (as yet unfinished but clean, somewhat firnished [including a pool table and full size fridge] and relatively welcoming) basement, a good sized back deck and porch. We have a medium sized but pretty back yard, with the woods to the back which offers privacy and added beauty. We are planning on having the ceremony in the back yard, and reception throughout the house and back deck... really spilling out whereever people want to wander on our property I guess. Now, with this in mind:
*Where's a good place to look for rentals for chairs, tables, ect?
*Should I have certain household appliances/items, such as the tv removed?
*Suggstions on pulling this together in 4 months w/o some expensive wedding planner?
*Has anyone ever been or known anyone who was married by a friend/relative who was ordained through the Universal Life Church?
*Any other suggestions are welcome...

Answer 1

If you would like some advise from a wedding planner without having the fee, here it goes:

For the rentals, there should be someone in your area that rents tables and chairs. Try a local catering company first and if they don't actually rent the items, they may have someone they can recommend. Since I'm not sure where you are, I can't really recommend anyone in particular.

As for removing household items, what are your guests like and will there be alcohol served? If they are not normally rowdy (including when they are drinking), then you may be safe in having the TV around. The last wedding I helped organize had their reception in there home and they did not remove any of the household appliances. A good idea would be to picture your worst case scenario and then figure out if you can realistically seeing it get to that point. If you don't think it will, then don't remove stuff.

As for the Universal Life Church - sorry, I can't help you here. Most of my weddings have been in either Baptist or Anglican churches and, in Canada, I have not heard of the Universal Life Church.

Other suggestions - do you have solar lights in your yard anywhere? If not, they tend to add some ambience at night to a back yard and, if people will be milling around your yards throughout the day (and possibly the night), it sets a nice tone to the festivities. Also, they're not overly expensive. My sister just did our back yard for $50 and it looks great.

As for food, keep it simple for yourself. You don't have the time (nor the desire) to spend the day in the kitchen preparing food. If you have the budget, maybe go to a local catering company and ask about a buffet or hors d'ouevres or trays of food, rather than a sit down dinner. If not, there are probably lots of stores in your area (including grocery stores) that will make up platters of food that you can pick up before the ceremony. Talking about food, what are your thoughts on a wedding cake? If you want that to be simple as well, some grocery stores do great things with simple cakes. One of the first weddings I did, the bride decided to just go with a sheet cake from the local Sobey's store rather than have a bakery make the cake. One other option, if you're so inclined, is that you could make the cake. If you think you have decent cake decorating skills and could do the job, why not try it. I have a friend that, when she got married, she made her own cake. Now, she went to school for Culinary so she could do it. If you think you can, all the power to you.

As for decorating your place, look at party supply companies in your area. They always have interesting ideas and ways of decorating places for any occasion.

Anyway, hope that helps. Best of luck. Check out my website (below) if you want any more suggestions.

Answer 2

OK, 1st question. Chairs and tables can be rented really cheep at your local VFW or Legion Hall. #2. No, I don't see a need to remove anything. You said 30 people. I'm sure there relatives and friends. Don't insult them. #3. No wedding planner needed. Just pretend your having a large party. Go with whatever you want, Decorate with wild flowers, Do your owns food dish's, Meat Platters, Veggie Platters, Salads, Dips, Cheeses and Crackers, meatballs in a crock pot. Nobody will care. As long as there fed. #4. nope. Don't even know what a Universal Life Church is. But I'm sure it will be fine.
Other suggestions. Make it a BYOB, Have a friend make the cake as a gift. Have another friend DJ for you.
Have a great day! It's your day! Make it memorable. Get some of those disposable camera and put them on the tables, have your guest take random shots for you.

Answer 3

If you are a member of a church why don't you just ask the church if you could use some table and chairs. If not you can look in the phone book for party rentals. Don't let your guest have the run of your house keep the party confined to a point. Since the wedding is going to be outside then the rest of the activities should be outside. If you're going to have music they can dance on the deck. There's no reason for them to have the run of your house. This can be a nice event and do it yourself if you know what you are doing. If you're not the creative type then I would suggest you get the help of family and friends with those skills. Print you own invitations and save money. Plan a menu that is easy to cook but will go a long way. I served chicken alfredo, garlic butter rolls, salad, fruit tray and punch. I had more people at my wedding and spent about $120 on food at Sam's. I've never heard of the Universal Life Church but if it's one of those churches you can get you clergy online I wouldn't use them!!!!

Answer 4

I wouldnt even have all the food, thats where you get into the money aspect of a recpetion. How about a dessert and punch reception? Your could have your wedding cake (go to the bakery at your local grocery store, these days they can work wonders and are SO much cheaper than bakeries) and some cookies and pastries, some yummy punch and maybe a tray of chocolates. Thats all you need. Especially with such an intimate crowd, I bet this kind of reception would be alot of fun for all involved! Good luck!