Weddings at Home: A Practical Guide for 2026
If you’ve recently got engaged, congratulations! A garden wedding can be one of the nicest ways to celebrate — relaxed, personal and exactly how you want it.
At Mix Masters Events, we plan weddings in private homes, gardens and marquee spaces across Surrey, South West London and the Southeast. Over the years we’ve helped many couples turn their gardens into meaningful, memorable wedding venues. Here’s what to think about if you’re considering a garden wedding in 2026.
Why a garden wedding works
A garden wedding is often chosen because it feels personal. It’s your space, or your family’s space, and you can shape the day around what matters to you. You don’t have to work within a venue’s timeline or restrictions, and your guests often feel more relaxed and at ease.
We’ve seen this work beautifully for small, intimate guest lists and for larger celebrations with marquees, bars and dancing.
Start with the practical side
A beautiful ceremony needs a solid foundation. Early in your planning, think about:
how many people you’re inviting
access for suppliers
where vehicles will park
where power and lighting will go
guest facilities like toilets
how you’ll manage weather, neighbours and noise
Getting these basics right early avoids stress later.
The marquee becomes your centrepiece
Most garden weddings work around a marquee. It gives you cover from sun or rain and creates a clear space for dining, speeches and evening celebrations.
We can help you choose the right marquee and layout for your needs, including:
flooring
lighting
heating
dance floors
Getting the structure right early helps everything else fall into place.
Music and sound that feels right
Music sets the day’s tone. Whether it’s a laid-back ceremony or a lively evening party, having clear sound and someone who knows how to read a room makes a difference.
We provide DJs and sound systems for ceremonies, dinner and dancing so you don’t need to worry about playlists, equipment or volume levels.
The bar keeps everyone happy
The bar is where guests meet, catch up and settle into the day. If you’re hosting a garden wedding at home, a well-run mobile bar makes everything feel polished without taking attention away from the celebration.
We provide:
glassware and stock
cocktail menus
professional bar staff
full set up, packdown and waste management
Having staff take care of drinks means you’re not refilling glasses or running back to the kitchen.
Food and catering
Food doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does need to be thought through. Grazing tables, buffet stations, plated courses or food trucks can all work well in a garden setting. The choice often depends on the style of your wedding and the number of guests.
We can recommend caterers we’ve worked with before who understand how garden weddings flow.
Lighting and atmosphere
Lighting matters more than most people first think. A garden might look lovely by day, but once the sun goes down you’ll want soft, warm light that keeps people comfortable and makes the space feel special.
We often suggest a mixture of overhead lights, feature lighting and mood lighting depending on the area you’re using.
Think about the flow of the day
A wedding isn’t just one moment; it’s a sequence. Consider:
welcome drinks after the ceremony
seating and flow for meals
when speeches happen
where guests stand or sit
how dinner transitions into evening dancing
Planning the flow quietly in advance makes the day feel smoother for everyone.
Support on the day
Having professionals on hand to help with setup, manage the bar, oversee music and assist guests means you can be present in the moments that matter — not fixing logistics behind the scenes.
Planning a garden wedding in 2026
Many couples start thinking about their weddings early in the year. If you’re considering a garden celebration at home, it makes sense to talk it through now while dates, suppliers and layouts can still be planned without rush.
We share a lot of practical experience from weddings we’ve planned, and we’re happy to talk through any ideas you have.
A calm way to plan
A garden wedding doesn’t need to be complicated. With the right support and clear thinking about the essentials — structure, music, drinks, food and flow — it can feel relaxed, personal and truly memorable.
If you’re planning a garden wedding in Surrey, London or the Southeast in 2026, feel free to reach out. We can support everything from marquees and bars to DJs, lighting and staffing, so you can enjoy your day.
