(Photographer-Approved Tips!)
Planning a wedding at home? Here’s how to get your space photo-ready without the stress, so you can stay present, soak it all in, and love how it looks in your wedding gallery.
There’s something so special about getting married in a place that already holds so much love. A wedding at home is cozy, personal, and unforgettable, but it also means your space has to pull double duty as a ceremony site, reception venue, and hangout zone for your favorite people.
As a photographer who’s been in a lot of homes-turned-wedding-venues (especially queer, backyard, and intimate celebrations!), I’ve gathered my top tips to help your home feel beautiful, functional, and totally camera-ready.
Let’s get into it:
1. Clear the clutter, but don’t erase your personality
Think of your home like a canvas: you want it to feel clean and open without being sterile. Walk through the areas you’ll be using for getting ready, the ceremony, and family portraits. Tuck away stacks of mail, water bottles, cords, laundry baskets.. anything you wouldn’t want in the background of your wedding photos.
That said, don’t strip your space of what makes it you. Leave your favorite plant, hang those framed prints, keep the funky bookshelf in the corner. It’s the balance of tidy and personal that makes a wedding at home so meaningful.
2. Make the most of natural light
Your photographer (hi, it’s me 👋) loves window light. About a week before your wedding, check what the light looks like at the time of day you’ll be getting ready, exchanging vows, or hosting dinner. Notice where the shadows fall, what rooms feel glowy, and where the sun hits hardest.
If you’re getting married indoors or in a shaded backyard, that’s totally fine, just be mindful of heavy curtains or artificial lightbulbs with orange tints. The more natural, soft light we can work with, the more dreamy your photos will be.
3. Curate your details + heirlooms
You know those beautiful flat lay photos of rings, invites, florals, and accessories? We love to style those but we need the goods to do it! A day or two before your wedding, gather everything you’d like photographed:
- Invitation suite
- Rings + vow books
- Jewelry, perfume, cufflinks
- Shoes, socks, tie, or special accessories
- Florals or loose petals from your florist
- Any heirlooms or sentimental pieces (like a brooch from grandma or your chosen family’s love notes)
Place them all in a shoebox or small tray so your photographer can grab and style them easily.
4. Think about your family mementos
You’re getting married in your home. That’s already a rich layer of story. If there are meaningful pieces you’d love captured, like your parents’ wedding photo on the mantel, or a quilt your aunt made, let your photographer know! We’ll make sure to include those details in a way that honors your story.
5. Prep your people for family portraits
If you’re planning to do family photos, give everyone a heads-up well before the wedding day. Let your photographer know who’s important to include, and tell your family when and where they’ll be needed. And definitely let them know they’ll be in portraits, trust me, I once had to edit a reindeer Christmas sweater off the sister of a bride who had no idea she’d be in photos. Don’t let that be your family photo memory!
Bonus tip: Print a list of the groupings you want and give it to a helpful friend or your coordinator. That way they can keep things flowing, especially if you’re blending families or navigating any tricky dynamics.
6. Rain plan? Yes, please.
Even if you live in sunny California, it’s always good to have a backup. For a wedding at home, that might mean clearing space inside for your ceremony, renting a tent, or having a stash of clear umbrellas for your wedding party. Talk it through with your photographer, we’ll help you make any light work, and honestly, rainy day photos can be so romantic.
7. Don’t DIY everything — seriously.
It’s your wedding day. You deserve to enjoy it, not run it. If you can swing it, hire a coordinator (even just for the day-of!) who can manage logistics, help vendors, and answer a million questions so you don’t have to.
If a pro isn’t in the budget, recruit a trusted, Type A bestie to be your point person. You want someone who won’t come to you with every little hiccup, they’ll handle it so you can stay present and married.
Final week checklist:
- Declutter high-traffic areas and getting-ready spaces
- Walk through the lighting at the ceremony time
- Set aside your wedding details in one spot
- Talk to family about when and where to be for portraits
- Confirm rain plan and backup locations
- Delegate everything you can
A wedding at home does not need to be perfect. It just needs to feel like you.
Your space already holds so much love. Now with a little intention and prep, it is going to shine in every single photo.
Planning your wedding at home?
Explore these real galleries for inspiration
Need help making your home wedding feel picture perfect?
Let’s talk about how I can help document your day with intention and joy. Get in touch here or browse my collections to see what feels like the best fit.
You’ve got this. I’ll bring the camera and the calm.
