How to Plan a Luxurious Wedding at Home

Home is where the heart is – and also, where the wedding is! This year we predict a surge in couples hosting fancy at-home weddings, bountiful backyard weddings, and intimate zoom celebrations in their own residence. This has given us reason at Bridal Musings to rethink how we view wedding planning – but don’t worry, we still love any reason for opulence and luxury.

Brides, let us help you elevate your intimate at-home wedding to something grand and fabulous. We’re sharing wedding planning tips alongside these dazzling gowns from Moonlight Bridal, so you can simultaneously start your wedding planning and dress shopping! The perks of a wedding at your own residence mean saving money on a venue with more budget to go toward the details.

Stunning designs by Moonlight Bridal with sparkling fabrics will catch the glimmer of daytime and illuminate throughout your romantic evening. Elements like this open-back design and statement-making trains will have you feeling extravagant. There’s a perfect Moonlight Bridal dress for any wedding theme you decide, and they’ll take you to a luxurious state of mind.

A more intimate wedding also means fewer guests that you can spoil (along with yourself, of course!) We’re here to offer you support. Splurge on your dream photographer, on over-the-top florals, the best champagne, and obviously, your dream wedding dress.

Our number one at-home wedding planning tip? Allocate your wedding budget to accommodate your dreams. Okay, let’s start planning your luxurious wedding at home.

Dress In Luxury

Brides are using a smaller wedding as a reason to go all out (and we approve!). Yes, that means you can even wear multiple looks!

Moonlight Bridal has everything from layered and dramatic ballgowns to fitted mermaid gowns embellished in crystals. Find a dress that speaks to the theme or mood you want for that day. And no, you don’t have to pick just one.

Set The Tone With Stationery

Nothing tells guests what kind of party they’re to expect like intentional wedding invitations and stationery. At first glance, I can pretty well tell what kind of wedding I’ve been invited to by the font, paper, colors & style of any wedding invitation.

If you want to elevate your at-home wedding, opt for a fancy wedding invitation suite. Use luxurious papers, ribbons, wax seals, stamps and lavish features like hand-written calligraphy, letterpress and maybe even watercolor? Utilizing all the pretty papers at your disposal you can show your guests that this isn’t your ordinary backyard wedding.

Sexy French Chateau Wedding Inspiration with a Red Wedding Dress – JuMi Story 45

Photo by Jumi Story via Bridal Musings

Establish A Dress Code

Just because it’s at-home doesn’t mean your guests can’t dress up! Indicate on that fancy wedding stationery of yours what kind of dress code (black tie, white tie, maybe cocktail wear) is required of your wedding guests. If you dress fancy, and your guests dress fancy, the party will most certainly feel fancy altogether.

Over-the-Top Floral Installations

There is no such thing as too many florals. We envision greenery garland hung throughout the home, your dinner tent, or cascading along the center of your tables.

Have a florist design a dramatic floral installation for your ceremony backdrop, and guests can use it later as a photo-op! Anyplace that you can dream, florals can be added. We encourage you to go wild!

Extra luxe tip: gift your guests their own mini floral arrangements to take home.

Sexy French Chateau Wedding Inspiration with a Red Wedding Dress – JuMi Story 16

Photo by Jumi Story via Bridal Musings

Spruce Up Your Getting-Ready Room

Don’t skip on a bride or groom’s room! You’ll still need a space to get ready, and can have fun making the master bedroom a bridal suite!

Make a fun playlist, have a bridesmaid create a breakfast charcuterie spread, and relax. Designate a space for your hairdresser or makeup artist, make sure you have decent lighting. You can even snap some gorgeous bridal portraits. It’s really lovely knowing you won’t have to be transported anywhere else – other than to your own swanky party downstairs.

Accessorize to the Nines

Don’t stop at the dress, elevate your entire bridal look with couture headpieces, veils, jewelry & shoes. Might we suggest even a sparkling tiara? Casual chic is cool, but if you want to pull off a lavish & luxurious wedding vibe at home adding luxe accessories will do the trick nicely.

Cheery Marthas Vineyard Summer Wedding – Lena Mirisola Weddings 60

Rentals

Consider your guest count and start designing how you want to utilize your space. Determine if you want to rent a beautiful marquee (aka fancy tent), tables, or even an outdoor dance floor! Create a night to remember by renting funky furniture, elegant tables, couches, or tapestries. Whatever will create the mood you long for will make your evening a night to remember.

We’ve all looked longingly at the decadent tablescapes on Pinterest with perfectly curated glassware and linens. A smaller affair makes paying for that vision accessible to any budget.

Sexy French Chateau Wedding Inspiration with a Red Wedding Dress – JuMi Story 61

Photo by Jumi Story via Bridal Musings

Hire Professionals

You can still hire a wedding planner, a florist, a DJ – you name it. Check your local Covid-19 gathering guidelines and be sure to clarify with your hired staff any regulations they need. A backyard wedding can be just as official as any other location, and professionals in the wedding industry will take the pressure off you.

Upscale Local Catering

Splurge on some fantastic local catering. Many restaurants have modified their offerings to better serve their communities during the time of Covid-19 while still keeping their business afloat. This means that your favorite restaurant might be happy to cater an exclusive evening just for you!

Or, you could rent a food truck for a more interactive approach. Go formal or casual for whatever dining experience you think would best suit your space.

Luxurious and Opulent Wedding Inspiration Featuring Six Stunning Dresses – Gianluca and Mary Adovasio – Tigerlily Weddings 23

Photo by Gianluca & Mary Adovasio via Bridal Musings

Elevate Your Space With Ample Lighting

String lights and candles will elevate any backyard setup. Wrap string lights around trees, use them to hang high above the dance floor or throughout your tent. You can design your space with Chinese lanterns or fun pillar candles.

Not to mention the added evening lighting will change the look of your dress as you go from day to evening. Paired with a gown like this one, hello sparkle, beading, glitter, and glam!

A Dream Theme

A micro wedding is a perfect time to pick a theme and run with it. If you’re the type who loves hosting and have dearly missed throwing dinner parties, then your wedding can be the ultimate themed affair! Pair your dress style to your wedding theme to kick the party up a notch.

Sexy French Chateau Wedding Inspiration with a Red Wedding Dress – JuMi Story 11

Photo by Jumi Story via Bridal Musings

Splurge on Photography

Have you been following a traveling wedding photographer on Instagram forever? Reach out and discuss your options during covid with their travel plans. Photographers still want work, and most likely feel safer working in smaller weddings for the time being. Plan a fun adventure before the ceremony, like doing a first look at a local viewpoint, driving out to a more scenic location in your city, or even having a fun romp around town following the ceremony.

Essential Info

Head over to the Moonlight Bridal website to find the perfect wedding dress to make you feel extravagant. To shop in person, find your nearest stockist or trunk show.

Follow Moonlight Bridal on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest for all things luxurious and glamorous.

This post is made in partnership with Moonlight Bridal.