The Importance of Communication if You Book a Home for Your Wedding

Communicate!

If you are contemplating having your wedding at an estate home instead of a more conventional wedding venue, you are probably an “outside of the box” thinker. Good for you. There are many fantastic reasons to choose a big beautiful home instead of an event hall or hotel. Privacy, elegance, unhurried time with friends and family are just a few of the reasons you may have chosen a home. The freedom and cost saving associated with providing your own food and alcohol might be another motivating factor in your decision.

Whatever your reasons, keep in mind that communicating with the home’s owner in advance will save you angst down the road. Not all large estate homes are available for weddings. Make sure you are clear with the homeowner about what you want to do before, during and after your wedding celebration prior to signing the contract with them. Agreement with the homeowner that you respect their home, furnishings, neighbors and investment will promote a feeling of partnership.

Many estate homeowners do not allow events or parties at their property. Some homeowners are constrained by covenants and local ordinances which limit their ability to rent to groups planning events. Parking, unrelated guests at the house, noise ordinances, vendor access, and fire regulations are just a few of the items that might make a wedding in a residential area problematic. Large groups put heavy pressure on residential wells and septic systems. Hardwood floors, furnishings and carpets suffer from excessive traffic. The influx of strangers for the day may strain neighborhood relationships.

Homes that do allow events may have additional restrictions and fees. Expect property owner concerns about using their household furnishings, parking, dishes, plumbing, landscaping, and trash removal for your big event. Reassuring the owner that you have a plan to protect their investment may open their mind to the positive possibilities. Renting dishes and glassware eliminates concerns about loss and breakage, hiring a transportation company mitigates parking and intoxicated driver issues, renting port-o-potties for the day of the event protects the plumbing and keeps day guests out of the house, and assigning someone to dispose of the debris and trash after the big event insures quick cleanup. These are a few of the steps you can take to reassure the homeowner you will not leave them with a disaster.

Discussing your celebration will allow the homeowner to give helpful options and anticipate problems that might come up. Conversations with them will provide information, solutions, insights and ideas which will add value to the day. The last thing you want on your wedding day is an irate homeowner, neighbor, or police officer demanding the party break up. Nearly as unwanted are plumbing problems or electrical outages due to overuse. Losing a large security deposit or being sued by a homeowner for damages is not how you want to start out married life. Clear, upfront communication will allow you to relax and enjoy the party of your dreams.