Getting Married at Home – a Front Porch Wedding

For couples who are facing the impact of having their weddings scheduled during COVID-19, one option is getting married at home. It may seem like the simplest wedding ever. But it creates a sense of intimacy and love in a place that is meaningful. One option for an at-home wedding is to host a backyard wedding. This couple chose just the opposite and opted to have their ceremony on the front porch with beautiful results.

Getting Married at Home Front Porch Wedding | Hill City Bride Virginia Weddings

Getting Married at Home – a Front Porch Wedding

Bonnie and Dylan’s event is filled with ideas for small weddings. Getting married at home can be simple, yet beautiful – especially with the addition of gorgeous florals! Against the odds, this couple had a stunning event. Hear what Bonnie had to say about planning their big day.

What plans did you have to change in order to still hold your wedding during this time?

I had to change the number of guests from 130 to 10. I had to find a new venue and caterer because the ones that we had planned on using had to temporarily close. We no longer had any groomsmen or bridesmaids on the day of because we kept it to family only.

My wedding planner and life long family friend, Andrea Radford, turned her home into the perfect venue for a small intimate wedding. She completely flipped her house for us and worked with my vendors to make it look absolutely beautiful! Her sidewalk and front porch served as the perfect aisle and stage for an outside wedding.

Small Wedding Ideas Home Wedding Decorations | Hill City Bride Virginia Weddings
The bride’s friend and planner surprised her with meaningful home wedding decorations.

She surprised us by working with our families to have pictures of our parents’ and grandparents’ wedding days and pictures of us throughout our relationship on tables for the reception. I can’t thank her enough for basically taking wedding planning off my plate and creating the best day ever for us!

Why did you decide to still go ahead with your wedding instead of canceling/postponing it?

One huge reason was that my husband Dylan and I had been doing long-distance for the past 3 years and we were very tired of not being together. We had the April 18th date nailed down for a year. We were just ready to be together and didn’t want to have to push the date back and wait longer.

Another factor that influenced us going ahead with the wedding was Dylan’s mother’s health. When we made the decision to go forward with the wedding, his mom was at a place that we weren’t sure when she would be fully recovered, out of the hospital, and able to come to a wedding.
Small Wedding Ideas Home Wedding Decorations | Hill City Bride Virginia Wedding Rings
Even if you are planning the simplest wedding ever, it can be filled with meaning and love.

Through discussions with Dylan’s family, we knew we had their support to go ahead with the wedding. Even though Dylan’s Mom, Dad, and sister were unable to come to the wedding due to health issues and travel constraints because of coronavirus, we were able to talk with all of them on the day of the wedding which was so special. We’re so thankful now that Dylan’s Mom is on a fantastic path to a full recovery!

How did your vendors react to you getting married at home?

My venue was the Vinton War Memorial, Dana, the coordinator there was so amazing about everything. They were able to give me a refund which I am so grateful for! With my intended DJ and caterer, I was able to hold my deposits with them to act as a credit for a future event.

For my wedding cake, photographer, and florist, I was able to work with them and figure out payments along with the task of scaling down the services they were providing. My wedding vendors went above and beyond what I had envisioned and hoped for our smaller-than-anticipated wedding day!
Small Wedding Ideas Home Wedding Decorations | Hill City Bride Virginia Weddings
Instead of a backyard wedding, consider the front porch for a unique option.

What precautions did you take with social distancing?

 We followed the 10 people rule at the wedding and kept physical interactions – like hugging – to a minimum.

What were the pros and cons of getting married at home?

There were so many pros! As I mentioned, we were able to have more time with our photographer which was awesome. I feel like getting ready for the wedding was more relaxed because we weren’t taking a lot of pictures with a wedding party. Overall everything was so relaxed because there were only 10 people there, We got to spend a lot of time talking with everyone the whole night.

The major con to not being able to have the large wedding that we planned was not having all of our friends and family there with us, which was heartbreaking.
Small Wedding Ideas Home Wedding Decorations | Hill City Bride Virginia Weddings Perfume Belt
Getting married at home doesn’t mean you need to leave out the lovely details.

Did you personally learn anything by having to change your plans?

I learned that making plans is important. But being able to be patient when those plans get changed is even more important. I also realized how lucky I am to have family and friends that all pitched in to help me re-plan our wedding. I can’t thank them – and our vendors – enough for everything they did to make the wedding day so amazing!

What are you doing about a honeymoon?

We were supposed to be in Charleston, SC. the hotel that we were staying in and everything in downtown Charleston closed. So we had a stay-cation at our new home in Fairfax, VA. We plan on taking our honeymoon in the future.

Love conquered all with this front porch wedding.

Despite many changes, Bonnie and Dylan rose above to have an adorable event filled with small wedding ideas. Whether you are considering a front porch or backyard wedding, getting married at home has its benefits as you will see.

Small Wedding Ideas Home Wedding Decorations | Hill City Bride Virginia WeddingsSmall Wedding Ideas Home Wedding Decorations | Hill City Bride Virginia WeddingsSmall Wedding Ideas Home Wedding Decorations | Hill City Bride Virginia Weddings AnemoneSmall Wedding Ideas Home Wedding Decorations | Hill City Bride Virginia Weddings Front DoorSmall Wedding Ideas Home Wedding Decorations | Hill City Bride Virginia Weddings WreathSmall Wedding Ideas Home Wedding Decorations | Hill City Bride Virginia Weddings InvitationSmall Wedding Ideas Home Wedding Decorations | Hill City Bride Virginia Weddings RingsSmall Wedding Ideas Home Wedding Decorations | Hill City Bride Virginia Weddings Bridal ShoesSmall Wedding Ideas Home Wedding Decorations | Hill City Bride Virginia Weddings Hair Half Up Half Down Wedding HairSmall Wedding Ideas Home Wedding Decorations | Hill City Bride Virginia Weddings EarringsSmall Wedding Ideas Home Wedding Decorations | Hill City Bride Virginia Weddings BrideSmall Wedding Ideas Home Wedding Decorations | Hill City Bride Virginia Weddings Bridal BouquetSmall Wedding Ideas Home Wedding Decorations | Hill City Bride Virginia Weddings Groom Watch RingSmall Wedding Ideas Home Wedding Decorations | Hill City Bride Virginia Weddings Carolina PanthersSmall Wedding Ideas Home Wedding Decorations | Hill City Bride Virginia Weddings Golf BallsSmall Wedding Ideas Home Wedding Decorations | Hill City Bride Virginia Weddings GroomSmall Wedding Ideas Home Wedding Decorations | Hill City Bride Virginia WeddingsSmall Wedding Ideas Home Wedding Decorations | Hill City Bride Virginia WeddingsSmall Wedding Ideas Home Wedding Decorations | Hill City Bride Virginia WeddingsSmall Wedding Ideas Home Wedding Decorations | Hill City Bride Virginia WeddingsSmall Wedding Ideas Home Wedding Decorations | Hill City Bride Virginia WeddingsSmall Wedding Ideas Home Wedding Decorations | Hill City Bride Virginia Weddings Reception DecorSmall Wedding Ideas Home Wedding Decorations | Hill City Bride Virginia Weddings Reception DecorSmall Wedding Ideas Home Wedding Decorations | Hill City Bride Virginia Weddings Reception DecorSmall Wedding Ideas Home Wedding Decorations | Hill City Bride Virginia Weddings Reception DecorSmall Wedding Ideas Home Wedding Decorations | Hill City Bride Virginia Weddings Reception DecorSmall Wedding Ideas Home Wedding Decorations | Hill City Bride Virginia Weddings CakeSmall Wedding Ideas Home Wedding Decorations | Hill City Bride Virginia Weddings Reception DecorSmall Wedding Ideas Home Wedding Decorations | Hill City Bride Virginia Weddings Reception DecorSmall Wedding Ideas Home Wedding Decorations | Hill City Bride Virginia Weddings Reception DecorSmall Wedding Ideas Home Wedding Decorations | Hill City Bride Virginia Weddings Reception Decor ToastSmall Wedding Ideas Home Wedding Decorations | Hill City Bride Virginia Weddings Reception DecorSmall Wedding Ideas Home Wedding Decorations | Hill City Bride Virginia Weddings Reception Decor

Getting Married at Home Wedding Vendors

Love these home wedding decorations? Save the palette!

Hues of Blue Wedding Color Palette | Shades of Blue | Monochromatic Blue Palette | Hill City Bride Virginia Weddings

Also, if you are considering a blue wedding, check here for more color inspiration!

Jennifer 2023 Thumbnail

welcome

I'm Jennifer!

I inspire brides in

Virginia & beyond.

Glad you're here!

popular

posts

Sell Your Wedding Dress
Plum Diamond Engagement Rings Lab Grown
My Registry Wedding Registry

 

recent

advice

Hitchswitch Change Name After Married
Mens Wedding Bands
Azazie Wedding Dresses

 

recent

DIY

Honeyfund Wedding Registry
Miss to Mrs Wedding Subsrciption Box
Tribute Video Montage

 

recent

travel

Etsy Weddings
Beyond Yoga
Mens Wedding Rings Bands

 

recent

weddings

Capucine Engagement Ring
Kennedy Blue Bridesmaid Dresses
Ten Thousand Villages

(434) 851-2224 | jennifer@hillcitybride.com

Located in Lynchburg, Virginia