When Austin and I got married, we did it twice—once in secret, once in celebration. We eloped on May 23rd, 2024 and then threw a big, family-filled party on October 11th, 2024. And honestly? I wouldn’t change a thing.

We were lucky enough to celebrate at my grandparents’ home, a place filled with family history and way too many logistical challenges that we didn’t think about until we were knee-deep in wedding planning.

We pulled it off—barely. But if you’re considering hosting your wedding at a family property, let me tell you: it’s not just “free venue, yay!” It’s work.

The Pinterest-Worthy Dream vs. The Reality

In my head, the wedding was rustic and effortless. Cozy, warm, strung with lights that stretched from the barn out into the field. Guests lounging on mismatched thrifted furniture, watching us say “I do” in a place that meant something to us.

And that did happen… but so did a few logistical nightmares that no one warns you about when you go the “family property” route.

1. Bathrooms Are a Bigger Deal Than You Think

Have you ever considered how many toilets are in your grandparents’ house? No? Neither had we—until 200 people showed up.

Our first “oh, we have a problem” moment came when we realized that one, maybe two, bathrooms in a private home were not going to cut it. So, we had to call in the Porta Potties. Not exactly glamorous, but when you’re hosting a large group of people in a space not built for it, you have to think about things like plumbing and guest convenience.

Pro Tip: If you’re hosting at a private residence, plan for bathroom access before your guests arrive and start asking where the line is.

2. Power Isn’t Unlimited (And You Probably Need More Than You Think)

When you book a venue, you just assume that you can plug things in and they’ll work. Turns out, your grandparent’s backyard isn’t built for a DJ, string lights, catering warmers, and a sound system.

Austin, his dad, and my grandpa spent way too much time talking about breakers and where power was coming from. We had to get creative, balancing lights, music, and food service to not overload the system. And let me tell you—nothing kills the wedding vibe faster than a power outage mid-reception.

Pro Tip: If you’re hosting a wedding on family property? Know your limits. Bring in a generator. Have a plan. Don’t let the dance floor go silent.

3. Parking: The Chaos We Didn’t See Coming

Our plan was simple: guests would park at the church across the street and walk over.

What actually happened? Everyone just parked on the street.

Cars everywhere. Some parked on the grass. Some blocked each other in. It was a small-town street takeover, and not in the fun way.

Pro Tip: If you’re doing a wedding at a private property, don’t assume people will follow the “plan.” Have clear signage, direct guests to the right parking area, and if needed, hire someone to help manage the flow. Otherwise, you’ll spend half your night playing Tetris with parked cars.

Would I Do It Again? Absolutely.

Was it a logistical nightmare at times? Yes. Would I do it again? Without question.

Because at the end of the day, it was ours.

Austin spent every Saturday leading up to the wedding making sure the grass was perfect for our dance floor. We decked out the barn with decorations and turned it into a space that felt like home. Our guests sat on mismatched couches and chairs we had thrifted, adding to the warmth and intimacy of the day.

And in the most unexpected moment of the night, during our short but sweet ceremony, we revealed that we had already eloped back in May.

The reaction? Half our guests thought we were announcing a pregnancy (We were not.) But honestly, it made for a great story.

So, if you’re considering getting married at a family home, just know this:

✨ It will be more work than you think.
✨ You will have to problem-solve things you didn’t even know were a thing.
✨ It will be 100% worth it.

Because nothing beats looking around at your wedding and knowing that every single part of it was built with love.

Backyard Wedding Planning Checklist

• Check your restrooms. If you don’t have enough, figure out where the rentals will go. You don’t want guests wandering inside looking for a bathroom.
• Think about who stays after. At the end of the night, you won’t want to be cleaning up or figuring out logistics. Have a plan for who is staying to handle teardown so you can actually enjoy being married.
• Have a Plan B. Weather is unpredictable, and I was watching the forecast up to the hour before the ceremony. Know where you’ll move things if rain shows up.
• Sort out the power situation. Do a full check of what’s being plugged in where—lighting, sound, food warmers. Avoid mid-wedding blackouts by renting a generator if needed.
• Parking needs a real plan. If you think people will park somewhere specific, assume they won’t. Have signs, clear instructions, and maybe even someone directing traffic.