How to Plan the Perfect Hometown Wedding Weekend

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

"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

"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

"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

"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

"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

"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

"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

"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

"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