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Tips For A Home Wedding In Los Angeles

Getting married at home for perhaps the most memorable event in a person's life can be perfect as long as the lay of your land works for this purpose. With that in mind, considerations run the gamut, from where to hold the ceremony to how many people you can accommodate to finding the perfect photographer to document this special day. The following are five things to consider before deciding to bring your nuptials to your own backyard.

The Plan: 

Hours: By appointment
Cost: Varies

While a wedding planner may or may not be your style, certain members of this elite group who promise wedded bliss do everything to make that happen. Some even consult on how you can carry these duties off yourself. Calm, cool, and collected, Gina Black is a veteran of the home union. She'll help in any way she can to give you ways to make sure this is the wedding of your dreams and still stay within your budget. Or if you'd like, she'll simply take over the whole deal and pull the event off herself—with your specific input, of course.

Related: Best Romantic Places In Los Angeles To Propose

The Look: 

Hours: Mon to Fri - 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

If you need to spruce up your space a bit before deciding on holding the big day on your own estate, consider renting plants and other outdoor accoutrements for the occasion. Not only will additional greenery, lattice, and arbors assist in creating a romantic flavor, but after the "I do's" are said and done, these extras are someone else's responsibility. That, and your wallet won't be empty because you bought all this extra landscaping material that you can do without on a daily basis. Green Set is a good option for this type of wedding duty.

Related: A Guide To Los Angeles Flower Markets

The Parking: 
 

Many Los Angeles neighborhoods lack the amount of convenient parking space needed for holding an event like a wedding, but never fear, help is near. Valet parking comes with the territory in Tinseltown and certain companies specialize in coming to you to park your guests on the big day. Consider Premiere Valet Parking for this very valid, and necessary duty, for making your marriage legal at your own home.

Related: Guide To Garden Weddings In Los Angeles

The Memories: 

Cost: Varies, no travel fees anywhere in Los Angeles, Orange or Ventura counties

Finding the right photographer is a huge responsibility, as doing so can mean all the difference in how you remember the day. While you want a snapper who is on top of every aspect of this very important job, you don't want he or she to be underfoot (translation: in the way) or too bossy, either. Chris Schmitt fits the bill, making every Los Angeles wedding not only memorable, but personable too by taking images of every aspect of the goings-on while capturing the essence of the folks who are taking part in the celebration of another Southland marriage.

Related: Guide To LA/OC Ocean-View Wedding Venues

The Final Touch: 

Hours: By appointment

That first dance at your home wedding reception is the one that counts, so make sure to take the rights steps in ensuring applause without pity. A dance lesson (or two, or four) given in the privacy of the home is in order and Larisa Bates of LA Dance Events can be there to teach you.

Related: The Best Dance Studios In Los Angeles

Los Angeles freelance travel writer Jane Lasky, contributes to publications such as Travel + Leisure, Vogue and Esquire. Her weekly sojourning column ran in 40 newspapers for 20 years. Jane is anything but an accidental tourist. Check out her articles on Examiner.com.


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