There no place like home: for an event or wedding!

If you’re thinking about holding your wedding, a bridal shower or any wedding-weekend event such as the rehearsal dinner—know the limitations of the house.

Here are some more helpful hints to hosting an at-home event, and if you’re planning on making a call to an event planner to handle the details for you (this may be the most cost-effective and hassle-free way of handling an at-home party)

Location: First, take a look at your home and property and decide if it’s equipped to handle the size of your party. Are there spacious rooms like a living room and den where people can gather? Will there be enough space for tables and chairs? Will you have to remove furniture to fit the rentals, and if so, do you have a storage space available? Where would a buffet table go? A bar? Have a planner map out your home to see where everything would fit, allowing for plenty of walking space for guests. Remember to allow space for servers to pass through. If you plan on having musicians or entertainment, keep that in mind for space.

Tented: If you’re envisioning an outdoor-tented wedding, be sure your backyard is spacious enough for the tent that covers tables and dance floor. You don’t want to get too small of a tent and have some tables outside of the tent.

Bathrooms: Keep in mind that two or three bathrooms in your house will not be able to handle 150 guests. Renting portable bathrooms is advisable. There are even bathroom trailers that are modeled after household bathrooms.  Also make sure you know where the septic system sits and BE SURE to have it pumped right before the event.

Parking: What are the parking restrictions in your neighborhood? Alert the police that an event is taking place, prior to the event.

Permits: Make sure you apply for proper permits, if a tent is being erected.

Sound Restrictions: If you are planning on taking the party outside, make sure you know the sound ordinances in your area, before the police make a surprise visit that evening.

No Access: Mark rooms that you do not want to have guests access with  “No Entry” signs on private rooms. For a tented wedding, do not be afraid to put a “No Entry” sign on the entrances to the house if you don’t want anyone entering the house.

Kitchen: Is the kitchen capable of producing an event in a timely manner? Caterer’s trays are often oversized, so they need to have access to ovens and refrigerators that will accommodate them. A hired caterer will want to tour your kitchen ahead of time to be sure he/she can work well there. He/she will want to make sure that there’s plenty of counter space for staging and plating. They may require you to rent a separate tent in the yard where they will work their magic.

If you have a small kitchen, do not worry; a great caterer can produce magic from the garage or a cook tent.

Finally, hire a planner who has the vast experience with at home weddings or events, they will know what questions to ask and allow you actually be a GUEST at your own home.

Questions to Ask When Picking: Videography

Videography, also known as Cinematography, is a method of moving pictures telling a story. Be sure to ask the following questions:

1. Check to see if you can find their videos on Vimeo.com (this is sort of like Youtube but meant for more edited works). Most videographers post their newer videos on there.
2. How many cameras will you have on the day? How many assistants?
3. How early will you arrive at the ceremony to set up the equipment?
4. Will you bring backup equipment?
5. How soon can I see the final cut?
6. What will your attire be?
7. Is my wedding the only wedding being shot that day? This question is super important. Sometimes the people you meet with may not be the people who will be shooting your wedding...
8. How will you capture sound during the ceremony? Will I need to wear a wireless mic?
9. Can I select the music for the final cut?
10. Can you install a stationary camera in an area where your presence isn't interfering with the ceremony?
11. What type of cameras do you shoot with?
12. Do you shoot any super 8 film? (if this is important to you)
13. How long is the typical final edited version? There is a trend now where the final versions are not 20 minutes long and they are more like 10 minutes long. Don't panic. Many videographers include full toasts and ceremony on the same DVD or another DVD.

This should help you in the interview process! Happy Wedding Picking :)

Grand Velas Riviera Maya

Grand Velas Riviera Maya sits on the pristine 1000 feet of white sand shores of Playa del Carmen, Mexico. The newly opened Grand Velas sits on over 400 acres. The property sits on over 80 acres of mangroves, jungle, and natural freshwater wells locally known as cenotes. Beautiful luxury accommodation options include uniquely exotic garden suites, oceanview suites for guests ages 12 and up with private plunge pools overlooking the Mexican Caribbean.

Grand Velas Riviera Maya is just 5 minutes from downtown Playa del Carmen and a short 35- minute drive from Cancun International Airport. This property also received AAA’s highest award rating of a five-diamond property.

This is the only resort in the area to offer a culinary tour. The restaurants span the globe in 8 locations including the internationally-acclaimed Cocina de Autor restaurant. Other include:

Piaf – French cuisine

Sen-Lin – Asian inspired

Frida – Mexican

Azul – International

Bistro – French

The resort Spa offers guests a magnificent 75,000 square feet spa dedicated to the body and soul, with a re-hydrotherapy circuit and a cutting edge menu of treatments inspired by the ancient healing practices of Mexico and distinct world cultures. The spa is comprised of the following therapies:

Sauna, color therapy steam room, clay room, ice room, sensation showers, hot tub and cold plunge pool.

Sensations pool offers: sensory pebbly walkway, cascades, bubble beds, neck-massage jets, bubble geyser and warm chlorine free pool.

All suites offer personalized butler concierge services, a convention center, and a modern Kids Club.

The resort is divided into 3 sections:

The Zen Grand Section: sits in the natural environment of the Mayan Jungle, this family-friendly section features 206 elegantly exotic suites, each with over 1,000 square feet of space, private terrace and interior Jacuzzi. It is located ¾ of a mile from the beach, but the hotel offers shuttles that run continuously to the beach.

The Ambassador Section: family-friendly area of the resort that includes 195 spacious 1,200 + square foot ocean-view suites with a terrace, a sitting area, and some with private plunge pool. All of our beautiful suites offer interior Jacuzzis and terraces to enhance the experience in paradise. These suites are conveniently arranges around the main infinity pool.

The Grand Class: adult-only area of the resort designed for optimum privacy and relaxation and features 90 sophisticated ocean-view suites with private plunge pools, in-room massage tables, two Jacuzzis and modern conveniences such as wireless Internet ($), a DVD/CD/MP3 player and a plasma screen TV.

Wedding receptions can be held in a variety of locations, offering your guests world class experience and fine dining choices.