Little Budget, Big Wedding: Home Preparations That Turn Your Space from Drab to Fab

Your home is your castle, and when you’re planning on a backyard wedding, it’s your venue, too. Here’s how to make it a fun and functional space without draining your bank account.

Clean It Up

Cleaning your home is perhaps the most impactful way to lower stress on your wedding day. In the weeks before the nuptials, go through each room and clear the clutter. Also, change the HVAC filter, clean the carpets, wipe down the windows, and dust the bookshelves. The last thing you need is a bunch of dust bunnies getting in the way at the altar. If you haven’t managed to get things in order by the day before the wedding, these quick tips from Weddingbee can help you and your partner make a clean sweep before guests arrive.

Divide Open Rooms

The biggest obstacle to hosting a home wedding is keeping everyone and everything organized until the I do’s. If you have a large, open room, you can divide it into sections with sheer hanging curtains, which will also add to the ambience of the event. This is also a great trick if you need to dress up the garage or basement but don’t have the time or money to remodel. Simply move in-the-way objects against the wall and make a new wall out of flowy, colorful curtains.

Wave Goodbye to Fido

Unless the dog is your best man, it’s best to put him up in a pet resort in the days before the ceremony. Not only will cleaning up after your best buddy add stress to your life, but his presence may also trigger an allergy in one or more of your treasured guests. And if you’re going to have children present, your pet (as well as your youngest attendees) may be safer if he’s out of the house. Find a dog boarder, or ask your vet about overnight stays if your pet has a medical condition that must be monitored.

Get the Guest Room Ready

Chances are good that at least one family member will need a place to crash before the wedding. Focus on dusting, vacuuming, and wiping down the hard surfaces of the guestroom/bathroom. Additionally, change the sheets and provide an assortment of toiletries they can borrow in case they forget something of their own. If your guest room will serve as a coat room, make sure to leave a note on the door so there’s no confusion where personal belongings should be left during the ceremony.

If you’re feeling inspired, why not tackle the walls when you’re getting the guest room ready. Before you start picking out paint colors, think about using wallpaper. Despite its reputation, wallpaper has come a long way. In fact, wallpaper retailers such as Spoonflower offer a vibrant and distinct collection of different wallpaper, which you can find in prepasted and peel-and-stick options. The best part is the commitment; if you don’t like the look of the room after you’ve finished, you can easily remove the wallpaper and start again.

Decorate on a Dime

We’ve already mentioned using curtain partitions as part of your overall decorating scheme. However, there are plenty of other ways to save cash on the trimmings and trappings that will make your wedding day unique. If your wedding is in the spring or summer, consider picking wildflowers instead of buying expensive floral arrangements. Check with your local parks department first, however, to make sure you won’t be breaking any laws. A beach-themed wedding can be decked out with shells scavenged from your last vacation. You can also use bottom-dollar decor from stores like Dollar Tree.

Prioritize Parking

Your guests have to arrive at your home, but your home was probably meant for three vehicles max. If you have to park in the yard, keep your grass safe with polyethylene mesh made specifically for this purpose. It may set you back a few hundred dollars, but it’s cheaper than installing new sod and having to fix all the damage.

Shelter Your Guests

If you don’t have the money to invest in a large wedding tent, add a few shade sails to the waiting/reception area. While these won’t necessarily protect against wind or rain, sun shades are inexpensive and easy to install.

With a little work, you can turn your home into the perfect venue for your wedding. By saving money here, you can invest in more important things, including the honeymoon.

Need help with the planning and logistics for your special day? Contact Best Day Ever for full event planning and designing services - info@BDEWeddings.com.

Guest Blogger - Aimee Lyons for Best Day Ever