At Home Hudson Valley Weddings: Friend Or Foe? Wedding Planner JoAnn Provenzano Reveals the Truth
At home weddings have become the new big thing as couples search for realistic options for a dream wedding at a reasonable cost. But is a wedding at home really all it's
cracked up to be?
I wanted to find out the truth, so I called up Hudson Valley wedding insider JoAnn Provenzano of What Dreams Are Made Of, a Certified Bridal Consultant who has planned the intimate details of many tented, at home weddings.
If there is one thing JoAnn is known for, it's giving you the real deal. I knew she was the lady to lay out the whole truth.
Here are the Pros and Cons of the at home wedding straight from a lady who crunches the numbers and handles all the gory details. If you're considering at wedding at your residence, keep on reading, because you're about to learn some gems of wisdom that will save you a lot of time and money...
The Pros
It's Personal and Unique. An at home wedding is incredibly personal. None of your guests have ever attended a wedding at Grandpa Morgan's farm or your new woodland retreat. It's the ultimate customized wedding experience.
You'll Have an Unforgettable Day at an Unforgettable Location. You get to celebrate one of the most important moments of your life at a location that is near and dear to your heart. Most at home weddings in the Hudson Valley also incorporate beautiful scenery along with that meaningful view.
No Time Or Date Limitations. You won't have to worry about time restrictions or venue rules when you party on your own property. "If you plan your wedding at home, you won't have to worry about whether a particular venue is available for your date," JoAnn tells me. "And you don't have overtime fees."
Save On Transportation. You can save money on transportation costs by eliminating the need for a limo between the ceremony and reception.
The Cons
The Weather. JoAnn lists this as the number one draw back to hosting a wedding at home. 
"You can't control the weather, no matter how much planning you do," JoAnn explains. "Even if you have a tent with sides, you are still out there. The water can still come in."
During 2009's record breaking June rainfall, JoAnn coordinated one such wedding. "The dance floor was literally floating!" she told me. One of the wedding guests slipped and fell right on her back. The caterers were running in and out of the rain all night with water pouring down their faces.
The Cost. An at home wedding is more expensive than you think...unless you're talking about a pot luck with plastic knives and forks. If you want a crafty, elegant, formal tented wedding, the costs add up quickly.
"If you're inviting 100 people to your home, your per person cost ends up being very expensive by the time you rent the tent, the dance floor, the linens, plates and silverware, the bathrooms..." JoAnn ticks off the growing list of expenses. "On the other hand, if you're having 300 people, you might end up saving money on the cost per person."
The Parking. You need to have enough property for your guests to park, unless you have friendly neighbors with a field you can borrow or rent. It's a detail many couples forget about.
Electricity. Your property must have electricity for the caterer, lights and your entertainment. It should be run to code because if it rains, unprotected extension cords can be a real danger.
I'm beginning to get the picture, but I want it all in black and white. What is the real cost of a tented wedding?
"Hold on. I've got a budget right here." JoAnn shuffles some papers for a moment. "Now, these costs include the discounts that I get and I usually save couples at least $2,000. But it will give you an idea."
Tent - $1,900 for a 40 x 80 ft size (regular price $2400)
Sides on the tent - $240
Carpeting - $1,500
Dance floor - $450
Heater - $450
Plus you still need to rent tables ($15 each) linens, plates, silverware, 4 glasses per person...and you haven't even paid the caterer. And you've got to rent a bathroom; otherwise you have people traipsing through the house and it can back up your septic system.
What To Do If You Want To Plan An At Home Wedding
1. Sit down with a professional and lay out your budget.
"I play the devil's advocate with all my couples," JoAnn says. "I'm going to ask all the questions and think of every thing that can go wrong so that I can guarantee you have a spectacular wedding...no matter what."
JoAnn has her couples write out a "wish list" of everything they could possibly want for their wedding at their first meeting. Then they rank those things from most important to the least important.
"You start spending from the top down," JoAnn explains. "That way you spend on what's really important to you."
2. Call the rental company and get a site visit.
"You need to have them come out with their measuring equipment," JoAnn advises. "Many times the ground isn't level or it won't fit the space. They need to stake it all out and give you a real estimate."
3) Call the caterer.
Until you've determined your budget and rental expenses, you really can't hire the rest of your wedding vendors.
Wow. This at home wedding planning thing is more complicated than I thought! I decide to take advantage of JoAnn's strength as acting the devil's advocate.
"Now what if I really, really have my heart set on a wedding at my home," I say, remembering my own Poughkeepsie backyard wedding experience. "But when I get those estimates, I can't afford it. What would you tell me?"
JoAnn pauses for a moment and when she speaks I can hear the smile in her voice. "First, I would help you find a venue with the personality you're looking for, that outdoors, laid back vibe." Locust Grove, West Park Winery and the Grandview tent are good prospects with a price already including the tent, floor, napkins, etc. for a lot less.
"You can also just have the ceremony on your property and it's still meaningful," JoAnn adds.
She explains that you only need to supply soft beverages, champagne, fruit, plastic glasses, chairs and a small tent or canopy. It's much cheaper and you get married at a location that's special to you.
JoAnn and her team pulled off an amazing Mills Mansion ceremony for only $300, plus the $200 site fee.
"I really work hard to make sure that your money is spent the right way. And I will fight for my brides." JoAnn's voice is firm.
I remember watching JoAnn argue with a bus driver who threatened to abandon the couple's guests unless they left the wedding early so he could, "get to his next gig." It wasn't pretty...but the bus driver stayed until the end and the party ended on a high note.
"I'm a witch." JoAnn laughs. "But I make sure your vendors deliver appropriately."
She may be tough, but only when she needs to be. If I were planning my at home wedding again, JoAnn is exactly the tough guy I would want on my side.
JoAnn Provenzano aims to make all her couples' dreams come true within their budgets. Visit her website at What Dreams Are Made Of for more information.
