There’s something uniquely special about a hometown wedding. For many couples, returning to the place where they grew up offers a sense of nostalgia and familiarity as they turn the page to a new chapter in their lives. You might exchange vows in the church where your parents tied the knot, or perhaps you hire the caterer who has serviced your partner’s celebrations since childhood — details like these connect your past with your future, bringing your love story full circle.
Beyond that, hometown weddings offer practical benefits. For one, your familiarity with the area will make planning a large event much easier! You’ll also make it easier for guests to attend without worrying about travel expenses, which could mean having more loved ones at your side on the big day.
If you’re considering hosting a wedding in your hometown, here are four things to consider as you begin the planning process.
Expect a longer guest list
When a wedding involves travel, couples can expect to hear “no, thank you” from some guests. But when most of your loved ones live locally, you’ll likely have many more RSVPs to attend — the more, the merrier!
“Typically, 75 to 80% of invited guests show up at a wedding,” wedding planner Penny Haas shares. “A hometown wedding may have more attendance because of less travel, accessibility, location, and community.”
Of course, hosting a hometown wedding can come with the added pressure of extending your guest list to more people. But Haas assures couples they “do not have to invite everyone from their hometown.” However, if the whole purpose of tying the knot close to home is due to a local community, “consider a little cushion in the guest count,” she adds.
If you envision a wedding full of friends and family members, hosting a hometown celebration won’t disappoint!
Anticipate local changes
If you haven’t lived in your hometown for a while, you may find that your dream venue or favorite restaurant isn’t how you remembered it. But that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate your favorite things about the area!
“Try to remain flexible and fluid with your planning,” encourages Craig Peterman of Craig Peterman Photography & Videography. “Keep an open mind and be prepared for unexpected changes. Flexibility will make the process much less stressful and help you focus on what matters most — enjoying the moment.”
Before booking anything, Jen Sulak of Weirdo Weddings recommends “getting updated information on basic costs, new businesses in town, and if anything has changed spatially.” If you have friends and family in the area, see if they can scout some of your ideal locations and ask around for vendor recommendations.
Guests still need accommodations
You might think you can forgo the traditional room block if most of your guests are local, but that typically isn’t the case. Most couples expect at least a few out-of-towners to attend, so helping them secure accommodations is always a good idea.
Even so, Kelley Nudo of Momental Designs notes that “some guests who are local might want to stay overnight if they plan to enjoy the open bar, so having some rooms reserved is still something that should be done.”
Pick a hotel close to the venue to simplify transportation, allowing guests to use ride-sharing apps or taxi services at an affordable rate. Better yet, consult with your venue to see if nearby hotels offer a complimentary shuttle service within a set radius.
If you get a room block, “be sure to add an enclosure card to each invitation detailing the accommodation options,” Nudo says. “Add this information to the wedding website, too!”
Pre- and post-wedding festivities are optional
With destination weddings, there’s an expectation for the celebration to span several days with welcome parties, excursions, and farewell brunches filling the itinerary. Since everyone is a visitor, couples are inclined to keep them engaged throughout their stay.
When you host an at-home wedding, there’s less need to entertain guests beyond the wedding day. As such, “couples can use this advantage to skip them all together and save on costs if they prefer,” Nudo assures.
However, if you’re looking forward to spending time with loved ones, you may still want to host a few wedding-adjacent events. It’s also common for parents to throw a welcome party or farewell brunch to take advantage of the time together.
To keep it simple, Nudo suggests “leaning into the local favorites, like hosting a welcome party at the best pizza parlor in town, which can be an easy and cost-effective idea.”
Casey Cannon of EBJ & Company notes that couples can also host wedding weekend events at a family home. “While this is not a necessity, it is a lovely way of showing hospitality,” she states. Before inviting people over, “make sure your home is in tip-top shape and set up to care for guests in regard to parking, bathrooms, and places to sit.”
Pre- and post-wedding events are wonderful opportunities for everyone to make even more memories from your big weekend! And for couples, it’s an extra chance to get face-time with loved ones outside of the busy whirlwind of the wedding day. But if you don’t want to plan anything beyond your ceremony and reception, there’s no obligation!
Hometown weddings are both meaningful and convenient, making them a solid choice for couples who want to celebrate their community. After all, your wedding is a day to honor your love story and those who have been part of your journey — what better place to say “I do” than the place that’s closest to your heart?
Meghan Ely is the owner of wedding PR and wedding marketing firm OFD Consulting. Ely is a sought-after speaker and a self-professed royal wedding enthusiast.
