If you decide to host a wedding this summer, allow me to share what I learned a few years ago when I hosted one.
First and foremost, it’s important to consider the flow of people throughout the day. How will you keep the bride and groom from seeing each other before the ceremony? Where will visitors park their cars? Can everyone navigate stairs? How will caterers transport food and drink? Will the bride appear from around the corner of the home or come down the stairs? What is the contingency plan if it rains, or worse, hits 110 degrees? I quickly discovered why people hire wedding planners.
If you’re looking for a way to take care of all the little projects your inner procrastinator has been putting off, plan a wedding at home! You know that door to the back yard that requires a good shove to open? Now’s the time to fix it. You know that rub spot on the banister where the paint has worn away? Time to repaint. You know that loose brick in the walkway that catches the tip of your shoe about every third trip? Time to mortar it in. Look around for safety hazards as well as little repairs that will beautify your home.
Recognize that no matter how nice your house is, it probably wasn’t designed for the number of people who attend a wedding. Consider bringing in power generators, restroom trailers, and maybe even a large tent to provide shade.
Be realistic about how many guests your home can accommodate for the ceremony and reception. Consider seating, lighting, dining space, and if there’s music, a place to dance. If you’re hiring a caterer, make sure there’s enough kitchen space for food preparation and serving.
The best way to make your home feel open and welcoming is to remove about a third of its contents. This may seem extreme for a wedding, but if an indoor wedding is planned (or if the contingency plan includes bringing everyone inside), you’ll need plenty of room. You may be able to move furniture into your garage or into a room that remains off-limits on wedding day. Worst-case scenario may include imposing on friends or family to store things at their place for a short while or rent a self-storage unit.
If you have firearms or valuables, it is best to secure them so they don’t fall into the wrong hands during the event. A toddler who likes sparkly things may pocket your great-grandmother’s diamond necklace, and I don’t even want to contemplate a firearm in the wrong hands.
The preparation one makes for a wedding is similar to the preparation one makes to sell the home. You may find you like the new setup so much you don’t want to go back to the way it was. I know people who planned to sell their house because they thought they needed more space, only to discover that when they got rid of a third of their furniture and did a few repairs, they remembered how much they love their home and decided they didn’t need to move after all.
Although weddings are a lot of work, they are often worth it. The intimacy of a home wedding is hard to beat.
If you have questions about property management or real estate, please contact me at rselzer@selzerrealty.com or call (707) 462-4000. If you have an idea for a future column, share it with me and if I use it, I’ll send you a $25 gift certificate to Schat’s Bakery. To see previous articles, visit www.selzerrealty.com and click on “How’s the Market.”
Dick Selzer is a real estate broker who has been in the business for more than 45 years.
