Whether it's a small gathering on your stoop, a celebration in the back yard or a brunch for family and closest friends, a wedding at home is a popular choice for 2021 brides and grooms. Here we bring you our favorite ideas for settings, food, decorations and weddings outfits to make your day memorable, no matter the size. 

Set The Scene With Flowers

Set the scene for an outdoor ceremony with an abundance of your favorite flowers. A fabulous floral installation will instantly create a sense of occasion and delineate an every-day spot like your stoop, front door or backyard into a magical backdrop and focal point for a wedding ceremony and photos.  And if you don't have a natural frame like stairs or door lintel for your flowers, you can easily decorate a portable archway available online and at many hardware stores.

Choose an Outdoor-Appropriate Headpiece

Weddings at home are often a less formal affair but that doesn't mean you have to skimp on a special look. Instead choose accessories that are unique, special and add to the sense of occasion but are still comfortable and manageable to wear. 

For an outdoor wedding echo the romance of your natural surroundings with a headpiece showcasing flowers and petals (we love anything with a vintage silk flower). Outdoor brides might like to consider the elements and opt for a headband, headpiece or short, neat blusher veil that won't be affected by the wind.

       
Headpieces by Genevieve Rose Atelier
Top Row: Willa Veil; Serefina Headband; Alix Veil
Bottom Row: Zinadina Headpiece; Flavia Headband; Dauphine Tiara

Make the Most of Your Surroundings

Make a feature of your natural surroundings by decorating the natural focal points around you. If you're lucky enough to be celebrating by a swimming pool or lake, try floating flower arrangements and candles for a striking and unusual decoration, or maximize your social distancing with an aisle built right over the pool.

Incorporating natural elements into your decor will highlight and celebrate your outdoor setting. We love the use of pampas grass to define the aisle, and the natural lanterns hanging from the trees to make a beautiful and magical canopy in the bottom photo. 

  


Choose An Alternative Wedding Dress

We've always had a fascination and love for unusual weddings dresses, including short styles, and gowns featuring colors and prints. The relaxed nature of an outdoor wedding or celebration at home is the perfect excuse to show your personality and choose the unconventional dress of your dreams. 

We adore the idea of wearing a pastel pink or blue - which were actually the traditional colors of wedding dresses in the pre-Victorian age. Favorite designers for pastel beauties include Ulla Johnson, Luisa Beccaria and Red Valentino. 

Or truly celebrate your beautiful natural surroundings with a delicately floral print dress. There are so many ways to incorporate florals into your gown, such as floral lace, or an embroidered or hand-painted water color design. 

And if you still like the idea of white there are many chic ready-to wear styles available. We especially love the two bottom styles from Self Portrait; the ruched sleeve point d'esprit picnic dress and short tuxedo dress.

Don't Forget the Outdoor Lighting

String lights, lanterns and candles are all very accessible ways to transform a backyard or outdoor space into a magical wedding wonderland. Try hanging curtains of string lights from trees or a pergola or float lanterns in your pool.

Set the Scene Indoors

And for those celebrating indoors set the scene by creating a romantic focal point. A fireplace or beautiful archway can be decorated with a floral installation, candles or lanterns. Or create a focal point with a portable archway draped in beautiful fabric or movable floral centerpieces in pots or urns. Renting a small number of beautiful chairs will further help set the scene.