How to Plan the Perfect Hometown Wedding Weekend
Everything you need to make your hometown wedding just as unique as a destination wedding.
-
Photography: Anne Robert Photoraphy1 of 11
The perfect wedding has it all—beautiful decorations, a customized menu, and just the right number of guests to celebrate with. But let's not forget the venue, which is the foundation of any bride and groom's celebration. For some couples, a destination wedding is the ultimate dream. Whether you're thinking of a tropical island destination with the beach as your ceremony backdrop, a romantic city with breathtaking views, or even a remote mountain locale, a nontraditional wedding certainly location has its perks. But the issue is, planning a destination wedding can mean you won't be able to celebrate with everyone you love. And that's especially true if you choose a location that's far from home.
Luckily, you don't need to take your guests somewhere exotic in order to throw a weekend-long celebration that's totally special. That's right: You can have the wedding of your dreams right in your own backyard, and it's easier than ever to make your hometown wedding just as exciting as a far-flung party. From planning a welcome dinner and arranging gift bags, to throwing the perfect Sunday brunch send-off, experts share their tips on how to create the ultimate wedding weekend, even if it's not a destination for you or your guests.
Be a Tourist
"Quite often, people who live locally rarely have the opportunity to be a tourist for a day so make it happen for them! Find a great local spot and set up a welcome party that includes all of the best tourist staples for your area. Your guests will love catching up and being an 'out of towner' for the day!" —Diana Venditto, Owner, Lead Designer & Florist, Eventi Floral & Events
-
Photography: Eric Kelley2 of 11
Brand Your Wedding
"By repeating colors, design motifs and incorporating personal touches that represent who you are as a couple, you will create a cohesive experience for your guests to identify with, no matter the location. Include a common design thread connecting the very first piece of correspondence that your guests receive, all the way down to the tiniest design detail they will discover on the day of the wedding." —Lynn Easton, Owner, Easton Events
-
Photography: Justin DeMutiis Photography3 of 11
Extend the Party
"By avoiding travel for your wedding, your guests can extend the party even longer than usual since you won’t have to worry about guests rushing to and from the airport. Plan multiple events leading up to your big day such as a bridesmaid’s luncheon, rehearsal dinner, welcome party and Sunday brunch or pool party on either side of your ceremony and reception." —Tracie Domino, Founder & Creative Director, Tracie Domino Events
-
Photography: Blue Plate Catering4 of 11
Create a Special Menu
"A lot of the appeal to a destination wedding is access to new and different food. To help guide menu ideas, start with a signature drink like a mojito for a Cuban-themed wedding for instance, and build a menu that includes items like miniature Cuban sandwiches, a trio of salsas using seasonal ingredients and tamales. Street food is also really popular so turn common street food found at that destination into passed hors d'oeuvres." —Rachel Krieger, Sales Manager, Blue Plate Catering
-
Photography: Brian Dorsey Studios5 of 11
Kick It Off with a Welcome Bag
"Hometown weddings are the perfect opportunity for the bride and groom to tell their story. Customized welcome gifts are a great way for the bride and groom to set the tone for the weekend, kicking off their wedding the moment their guests arrive." —Julie Manheimer, Founder & President, Lady J Creative
-
Swipe here for next slide
-
Photography: The Weber Photographers6 of 11
Play Up the Details
"No need to sacrifice on fun wedding details when staying close to home. Offer your guests a selection of your favorite aperitifs alongside some cigars from your local tobacco shop." —Cammie Buehler, Owner & Managing Partner, Epicure Catering & Cherry Basket Farm
-
Photography: Aaron Watson Photography7 of 11
Include Your Pets
"Bring on the pets! Fido can't go to Fiji, but with a hometown wedding, including ALL of your family members is just another perk we love to see!" —Adam Donovan-Groves, Owner & Creative Director, Donovan-Groves Events
-
Photography: Kathleen Geiberger Art8 of 11
Make it a Staycation
"Get married at a fun hotel with a room block for your guests. Even if you're from the area, you can create a fun, staycation wedding weekend!" —Kathleen Geiberger, Lead Photographer, Kathleen Geiberger Art
-
Photography: Craig Paulson Photography9 of 11
Incorporate Home Gardens into Your Menu
"Incorporate your home gardens, like flower, herb, or vegetables, into the menus. As caterers we love having access to gardens when cooking at our events. The brightest flavors come from just picked herbs or vegetables. The flowers for garnishing are at their best when picked so close to their use. Further, flower gardens can become the source for sweet and simple table décor." —Linda Stripp, Catering Director, Mezze Catering & Events
-
Photography: Tec Petaja10 of 11
Use Décor to Transport Your Guests
"Décor can play such a huge role in visually transporting your guests anywhere in the world—even if you're still in your backyard. If you and your fiancé share a love of Italy but are marrying in Connecticut, consider bringing in Italian touches through your florals, tablescape and even your menu. When done right, your décor can tastefully make someone feel as though they've stepped into a different world and elevate their overall experience." —Jacin Fitzgerald, Owner, Jacin Fitzgerald Events
-
Swipe here for next slide
-
Photography: Gruber Photographers11 of 11
Surprise Your Guests
"Just because you are getting married in your hometown doesn’t mean the event needs to be predictable. Even when a big city like Boston is your hometown, if you’ve live there your whole life, chances are you’ve celebrated at all of the traditional event venues. Public parks, libraries, camps, schools, museums, and cultural centers can make beautiful and unique backdrops for your wedding." —Tamar Salter, Owner, Salter Frieze Events
-
How to Plan the Perfect Hometown Wedding Weekend
-
14 Expert Tips for Creating the Perfect Wedding Day Timeline
-
How to Throw the Ultimate Summer Wedding
-
Tips for Planning a Wedding That's a Total Party from Start to Finish
-
Wedding Planners Dish on the Best Summer Wedding Ideas
-
10 Times Rain Made a Wedding Even More Special
-
Secret Sources: Our Favorite Stores for Wedding-Day Buys
-
Advice All Newly-Engaged Couples Need to Hear, According to the Pros
-
21 Bottles of Bubbly to Sip on the Morning of Your Wedding
-
13 Surprising Things You Can Rent for Your Wedding
-
10 Expert-Approved Tips for the Best Getting-Ready Photos Ever
-
16 Questions You Should Ask While Touring Wedding Venues
-
12 Expert-Approved Ideas for Your Wedding Welcome Party
-
The First 10 Things You Need to Do Right After You Get Engaged
-
11 Things You Should Know Before You Plan Your Wedding
-
17 Most Common Wedding-Planning Mistakes Couples Make
-
Wedding Tips From Newlyweds You Won’t Want to Miss Before Walking Down the Aisle
-
The A to Z of Planning a Wedding: A Glossary to Help You Master the Lingo
-
Your Ultimate Wedding-Planning Timeline
-
10 Last-Minute Wedding-Planning To-Dos
-
21 Questions You Need to Ask Your Wedding Planner
-
How to Plan a Wedding in 9 Months
-
20 Questions That Make Planning a Wedding So. Much. Easier.
Let your answers guide you through the planning process, from deciding on a venue to choosing a unique wedding favor.
-
Create a Wedding Website That Shares Your Info—and Drums Up Excitement for the Big Day
-
Best Wedding Websites for Building Your Big-Day Domain
-
27 Ideas for Including Your Wedding Guests in the Party of a Lifetime
-
Everything You Need to Know About Having Your Dog in Your Wedding
-
10 Fun Jobs for the Father of the Bride
-
16 Things You Need to Know to Pull Off an Outdoor Wedding
-
24 Creative Wedding Exit Toss Ideas
-
Lucky (and Unlucky!) Days to Get Married
-
50 Good Things for Your Wedding
-
Diagram Your Big Day: Christian Wedding Ceremony Basics
-
Wedding Reception Seating
-
Good Things from Real Weddings
-
Good Things for Getting Organized
-
Etsy Obsessed: Our Editors' Favorite Finds
-
11 Unexpected Wedding Ceremony Readings for Your Big Day
-
Diagram Your Big Day: Jewish Wedding Ceremony Basics
-
9 Things to Know About Writing Your Wedding Vows
-
A Basic Wedding Ceremony Outline for Planning the Order of Your I Dos
-
6 Things That Can Save the Day at Your Wedding
-
4 Religious Ceremony Rituals That Go Beyond Classic Wedding Vows
-
Unique Wedding Vows for the Modern Couple
-
The Crazy Origins of 7 Classic Wedding Traditions
-
Your Wedding Horoscope for 2016
-
The 20 Most Common Questions About Wedding Planning—Answered!
-
16 Industry Insiders' Tricks for Easing Into Wedding Planning
-
64 Top Wedding Planners
-
23 Last-Minute Details That Will Transform Your Wedding
-
How to Throw an Unforgettable Rehearsal Dinner
-
Wedding 101s That Make Planning Way Easier
-
How to Throw a Home Wedding Without Losing Your Mind
-
The Ultimate 30-Day Wedding Countdown
-
24 Wedding-Planning Secrets That Only Pros Know
-
Wedding Do-Overs: What 5 Brides Regret
-
18 Ways to Plan an Eco-Friendly Wedding
-
9 Things You Should Know Before Booking a Wedding Videographer
-
9 Wedding-Planning Apps & Websites to Take Your Day From Trendy to Trending
-
11 Things You Need to Do Before Booking Your Wedding Vendors
-
The Unexpected Inspiration Behind 4 Real Couples' Weddings
-
6 Wedding Trends You Can Expect to See In 2017
-
5 Coffee Table Books That Double as Wedding Inspiration
-
17 Ways to Keep Guests Cool at Your Warm-Weather Wedding