The Ultimate Guide to Getting Married at Home

Bespoked Love
Nov 17
5 min read

A Bespoked Love Resource

There is something undeniably meaningful about saying "I do" in the place where you feel most at peace. Home is where love grows, where memories are made, and where you feel most like yourself. So it's no surprise that more couples are choosing to get married right where their story already lives—at home.

Whether you're planning a simple, beautiful table signing or a fully personalized ceremony, a home wedding offers intimacy, comfort, and complete creative freedom. This guide will show you how to create a heartfelt, memorable, and legally sound at-home wedding with calm and confidence.

Why Choose a Home Wedding?

Getting married at home honors your love in a deeply personal way. It allows you to:

Create an environment that feels like you—without venue restrictions
Celebrate in a peaceful, familiar space that holds your story
Keep your ceremony small, meaningful, and intentional
Invest wisely by redirecting venue costs toward what truly matters
Maintain control over every detail, timeline, and tradition

Many couples discover that being surrounded by their everyday world makes the commitment feel even more genuine and grounded.

Step One: Understand the Legal Requirements

One of the most important parts of planning a home wedding is making sure everything is legally correct. While every state has its own rules, here are the major steps to focus on:

1. Apply for Your Marriage License

Check your county clerk's office for:

Processing times: Some locations offer same-day pickup; others require several days
Required documents: Valid government-issued ID, proof of Social Security number, and divorce decree or death certificate if previously married
Validity period: Most licenses are valid for 60-90 days
Both parties present: Nearly all jurisdictions require both people to apply in person (some states allow affidavits for exceptions)

2. Choose Your Authorized Officiant

Your officiant must be legally authorized to perform marriages in your state. This typically includes:

Ordained ministers or clergy members
Judges or justices of the peace
Civil officiants or commissioners
Registered celebrants (where applicable)

At Bespoked Love, I am fully authorized to officiate in your state and guide you through every legal requirement with confidence and care.

3. Understand Witness Requirements (State-Specific)

Witness requirements vary significantly:

22 states require witnesses: 20 states require two witnesses, and 2 states require only one
28 states do not require witnesses
Age requirements differ: Most states require witnesses to be 18+, though some (like California) have no minimum age as long as the person understands they're witnessing a marriage

I'll help you determine your state's specific requirements and ensure all paperwork is completed correctly.

4. Sign the License Precisely

The signing must be accurate and complete:

All required fields filled in legibly
Correct signatures from couple, officiant, and witnesses (if required)
No cross-outs, white-out, or alterations (these require getting a new license)
Returned to the issuing office within the required timeframe (typically 10 days)

During a Bespoked Love ceremony, I walk you through every detail of the signing to prevent any errors or delays in your marriage registration.

Step Two: Handle the Practical Details

Insurance & Liability Protection

This is essential, even for home weddings. Standard homeowner's insurance typically does NOT cover wedding events, especially when:

You're serving alcohol
Your guest count exceeds 25-50 people
You're bringing in vendors or rentals

Wedding liability insurance:

Costs $150-$300 for $1-2 million in coverage
Protects against guest injuries and property damage
Includes host liquor liability coverage
Can often add your homeowner's policy as "additional insured"

I can guide you toward reputable insurance providers and help you understand what coverage you need.

Logistics to Consider

✓ Parking: Will guests need street parking? Notify neighbors in advance

✓ Restroom access: Ensure adequate facilities for your guest count

✓ Weather backup plan: Have an indoor option if planning an outdoor ceremony

✓ Permits: Check if your city/HOA requires permits for gatherings

✓ Noise ordinances: Be mindful of local quiet hours

✓ Vendor access: Ensure caterers, photographers, etc. can set up easily

Step Three: Prepare Your Space

A home wedding doesn't require elaborate décor. What matters is how the space feels.

You can enhance your environment by:

Decluttering the ceremony area to create calm, open space
Incorporating soft lighting—natural light, candles, or string lights work beautifully
Adding fresh flowers or simple greenery that feels organic to your home
Displaying meaningful items from your relationship
Creating a focal point: A simple altar, table, or backdrop for your ceremony
Setting up a designated signing area with good lighting and a sturdy surface

Whether you're indoors or outside, your space should feel peaceful, personal, and uncluttered.

Step Four: Choose Your Ceremony Style

There are three main types of at-home ceremonies I offer through Bespoked Love:

1. Legal Table Signing

A brief, intimate moment focused on the signing of the marriage license. Ideal for couples who want simplicity without sacrificing meaning. Perfect for elopements or couples who've already had a celebration.

2. Personalized Mini-Ceremony

Includes vows, ring exchange, and a short blessing or reading. This option creates a beautifully heartfelt experience without the structure of a full wedding—typically 10-20 minutes.

3. Fully Customized Ceremony

Perfect for small gatherings where you want a complete officiated experience crafted around your unique love story. Includes processional, readings, vows, rings, unity ritual (optional), and pronouncement—typically 20-30 minutes.

Each Bespoked Love ceremony—small or large—is tailored to honor your bond, your values, and your vision.

Step Five: Add Personalized Touches

At-home weddings thrive on details that matter to you, not traditional expectations.

Consider adding:

A meaningful song to walk in or stand together to
A framed photo of a loved one who can't be present
Handwritten vows spoken from the heart
A unity ritual: candle lighting, sand blending, handfasting, or a personalized alternative
A special blessing or intention that reflects your beliefs
Cultural or family traditions that honor your heritage
Involvement of loved ones: readings, songs, or blessings

These touches bring emotional depth and create a moment you'll remember forever.

Step Six: Capture the Memory

Even if your ceremony is simple, consider:

Hiring a photographer for 30-60 minutes to document key moments
Asking a trusted friend to take candid photos throughout
Setting up a phone or camera on a tripod for the signing
Creating a small "photo spot" in your home with good lighting

Your home becomes a part of your wedding story—and seeing it through the camera later can be incredibly sentimental. These images will help you relive the day for years to come.

The Biggest Advantage of Getting Married at Home

A home wedding centers what truly matters: your promises, your connection, and your future.

It strips away external pressure and replaces it with authenticity and calm. For many couples—especially those drawn to soulful, intimate ceremonies—home is not just a place to live, but the perfect sacred space to begin a marriage.

You don't need a grand venue to have a profound ceremony. You need intention, presence, and someone who understands how to create meaningful moments in the spaces where you already feel safe.

How Bespoked Love Supports Your Home Wedding

Planning a home wedding can feel simple—but navigating the legal requirements, logistics, and ceremony design takes expertise. That's where I come in.

When you work with Bespoked Love, you receive:

✓ Legal guidance specific to your state and county

✓ Insurance recommendations to protect your celebration

✓ Ceremony design support that reflects your love story

✓ Professional officiating that feels warm, authentic, and legally sound

✓ Complete document handling—from review to submission

✓ Peace of mind that every detail is handled with care

Whether you're planning a quiet table signing for just the two of you or a heartfelt ceremony with 20 close loved ones, I help you create a home wedding that feels effortless, meaningful, and entirely yours.