So, your man popped the question and your answer was an excited “yes!” - now comes the wedding preparations. While 80 percent of weddings take place in a church or synagogue, these days many brides are opting for a small home wedding, often in the backyard, to create a more intimate venue. While that may seem easy, chances are yours isn’t ready just yet but these tips can help you enjoy the wonderful ceremony you’re dream of.

Make Sure You Have the Space 

Getting married in your childhood home, whether you’re in Nashville, San Francisco, or anywhere else can make for a fabulous sentimental venue, but you need to consider the space you have and the number of guests you’d like to attend. Can you safely and comfortably fit that many people in your home and yard and still have room to move? If you plan to host a reception there too, is there enough room for dining, and perhaps music and dancing too? The amount of space you have may mean trimming that guest list down.

A Backup Weather Plan

While all brides hope the weather will cooperate for an outdoor wedding, Mother Nature isn’t always accommodating. When planning a wedding in your backyard you need to have a plan B should the rain start falling. A tent or an alternative indoor option may be idea.  

Check for Permits and Talk with Your Neighbors

When hosting a small party at home, you don’t think about much more than the food and guest list. However, a wedding event is likely to be larger than your everyday party. Some cities may require permits or insurance for such an event. If you have a long guest list, be sure to check with your local city officials to see if there are any such requirements. You may also want to chat with your neighbors to let them know and determine how parking and traffic complications can best be handled.

Chairs and Tables 

Odds are you don’t have enough tables and chairs of your own to support your wedding guest list. You might contact a local rental company to rent all you need, or talk to family members, friends, neighbors and co-workers to see if you can borrow enough to make it work.

Enlist Help

Speaking of friends and family you may need them to help get your outdoor space into tiptop shape as well as volunteers for a cleanup crew so that you won’t have to worry about it right after you’ve said your “I dos.”

Don’t Forget Your Send-off

Parking can be a real challenge for a home wedding with lots of guests – while you may need to make prior arrangements for them, don’t forget about yourself. The car you plan to take off in as bride and groom needs an open space in your garage, driveway or on the street in front of your home. You don’t want to be stuck with someone parked behind you as you’re about to happily make your way to the airport to fly off to Fiji or wherever you plan to have that magical honeymoon. Plus, all your guests will easily be able to see you off on your journey to the rest of your lives together.