The perfect example of how to masterfully plan an at-home wedding

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In March of 2024, Ben proposed to Kate in front of the breathtaking views of the mountains of Mill Valley. For their wedding day captured by Megan Goetz Photo, the couple incorporated a mix of prints, textures, and fabrics for a chic garden party look. The venue was one of the most meaningful details, with the couple hosting at the bride's parents' home. With Kellyne's assistance (from Hand Heart Events), it was transformed into the most breathtaking and personal space that felt unique to the couple while remaining intimate, warm, and welcoming.

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Bridal style: Anthro!

Kate wore an Anthropologie dress, while Ben wore a custom-made hunter green suit.

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Handmade and heirloom elements

Ben is an incredible ceramicist, so he hand-crafted all of the bud vases that were used throughout the wedding. They also incorporated family heirlooms, such as Kate's great-great-grandmother’s silver punch bowl, which was used to hold cards, along with other vintage silver pieces featured at the whiskey bar. These little touches made the day feel even more connected to their families and their story.

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At-home weddings: hiring the right vendors

Planning a wedding at a private home, especially the home of the parents of the bride, can be a delicate situation. We (Hand Heart Events) always try to be cognizant of the fact that this is someone's home - not a venue - and treat it with a high level of care. It is important to hire trusted vendors that are familiar with weddings in a private home, especially caterers. Executing a high-level family style meal for 120 people is already a challenge in a commercial kitchen, but it's a whole other ball game when you're working out of a garage that is used for storage and fixing up old cars!

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At-home weddings: handling the unexpected

We also ensure that all vendors take care of the property - we use extra caution when moving furniture, ensure spills are cleaned up immediately and thoroughly, and keep the home looking and feeling like a home.

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At-home weddings: planning for power

Finally, planning a wedding at a private residence requires a certain level of experience in larger events. For example, we know that a family home's restrooms cannot accommodate 120+ people, and there likely aren't enough power sources for all the lighting, sound, and cooking equipment. We have high quality restroom recommendations and can find the perfect place for a silent generator to ensure there are no power outages!

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