If you have a beautiful garden, patio or pergola in your backyard, then it is no surprise that you might be thinking of having your wedding at home.
Having a wedding at home brings a level of intimacy and comfort to this special day that no other venue can match. Imagine being able to walk down the aisle and say your vows in the comfort of your own home, surrounded by the beauty of your own garden.
Before the big day, be sure to take a look around your yard and make sure you can tidy up to make a spotless setting for your special day. Hire a gurney and remove moss, mould, dirt and cobwebs. Remove any tools, toys or equipment lying around. Finally, choose a theme that complements your existing garden.
Tropical
If your garden is abundant with tropical plants and lush, shiny foliage then try hiring bamboo or wooden chairs to blend with your existing teak decking or pergola. Consider decorating with frangipanis, hibiscus or bougainvillea. You could display bougainvillea in high gloss, ceramic pots or lovely hanging baskets. These flowers lend a touch of colour and delicacy to a tropical theme.
Depending on the flowers you choose, you can tie in the colour with some ribbons or decorations such as white and yellow for frangipani, or magenta and green for bougainvillea or hibiscus.
Serve you canapés on trays lined with banana leaves to reflect lush greenery of your garden and line the outskirts with tiki torches for a soft, tropical glow.
If you have a pool, sprinkle in some flowers or floating candles to really add a touch of romance.
Cottage
A cottage garden will suit many suburban garden settings, especially if you have a white pergola.
Flowers like lavender, roses, box hedges and Ficus will all look wonderful. A cottage garden wedding will need white chairs and table clothes, with classic touches like rose bouquets and candles. Serving food and drinks on antique china would be a nice touch.
Fairy lights add romance, strung around the outskirts of the garden and inside the tent.
Sleek
If your garden is modern and sleek, then perhaps a very minimalist style wedding will suit. Perhaps you have a tiled or wooden deck or patio, dotted with succulents or New Zealand natives. This look will lend itself to flowers that you hire or pot yourself such as bird of paradise, frangipani, lilies or perhaps something unique like a local native plant such as bottlebrush or ferns.
Lighting can become a feature in a sleek setting but keep it subtle. Look for soft, up lit or recessed lighting. If you want candlelight, then use large pillar candles perched on over sized dark wooden stands.
Colours for decorations and table settings should be strong and dynamic oranges, reds or purples.
Bohemian
If your back yard is a melting pot of colour and variety, then a bohemian style wedding might suit your garden wedding. You can choose from any colours as long as they are vibrant and accent with shimmering ribbons and sheer, flowing curtains. Use candles and fairy lights to give your garden an inviting glow.
Don’t be afraid to mix and match everything from the ribbons, tablecloths, plates and glasses. The bohemian theme is supposed to look thrown together and comfortable. Decorate the patio with lights and try and fill empty spaces with pots of lush ferns and chairs with cosy cushions.
