Guests

• Trimming down your guest list is a common way to stretch your budget, but it's an absolute necessity for a home wedding. Unless your home is a mansion or large country estate, you will most likely need to limit your guest list more than if you had your wedding at a large venue. Pare down the list to include the wedding party, family and close friends.
  
  

Space

• Before you commit to having a wedding at your home, ensure that there is adequate space. You will need one area for your ceremony and another for your reception. Expecting to flip the space in the middle of the event may be unrealistic and require more manpower than you have readily available. One option is to have one portion of the event inside and the other outside. Ensure that you have adequate parking, or ask the neighbors if guests can park in front of their houses for one day.
  
  

Bathrooms and Electricity

• Rent portable bathrooms if you are having a large wedding. You need one bathroom for every 35 guests. You will probably also need a generator if you will be using a lot of electricity outside for lights, a DJ station and cooking stations.
  
  

Rental Items

• You probably don't have all the supplies you need on hand to host a large reception at your home. Rent chairs, tables, chafing dishes, tents and a dance floor, if needed. You may be able to borrow tablecloths, china and silverware from several friends or family members to save money.
  
  

Home Care

• You will need to complete some home maintenance items before the event. Mow the lawns and spray for bugs a few days before the event. Plant flowers months before the wedding to have natural decor around the event. Update your homeowner's insurance policy to make sure that any accidents occur are covered.
  
  

Decor

• Having your ceremony and reception at one convenient location gives you the opportunity to make some of the decorations yourself. You don't need to overdo the decorations, since your home is already decorated. Place handmade signs and sashes on the backs of chairs to denote each guest's seat. Set out framed pictures of other weddings in the family. Add candles and candelabras inside and outside your home for a romantic glow.
  
  

Food

• Having your wedding at home gives you the option of making your own food or having a simpler, home-cooked type of catered menu. You can also make some food ahead of time and freeze it, such as muffins, tart and petite quiches. Ensure that the caterer has access to all of the kitchen items she needs, and make sure that any food left outdoors will be able to withstand the heat and avoid spoiling.