Intimate living room wedding

We live just outside of Philly to give context to the season question.

I know people who have had surprise weddings that followed this format. I say go for it! Maybe late summer/early fall as weather is usually nice then.

ETA: I'm also Philly based! Definitely early fall, foliage around here is lovely then.

I think it is lovely. As to time of year, is your air conditioning adequate to handle 15 people on a really hot day? If not, I would go with spring or fall.

I think ti sounds great. I'm from just outside philly too..i would go for fall.

I'm doing the ceremony portion at home!

Are they all "local"? Why not get them ubers to and from so everyone can relax and not drive in crappy weather (says the girl who got ubers for her 12 guests since it's January)?

If you go this route, I would love to see you share the process on these forums, as there aren't very many home and/or tiny weddings here (compared to venue weddings).

This sounds beautiful! The first thing that jumps out at me is a late fall evening, chilly but most likely no snow! if you have a fireplace, you can light a fire as the backdrop for your ceremony! Agree with others as long as you have enough professionally catered food, alcohol, and a chair for everyone, it sounds perfect!

That really does sound lovely. It sounds like you have the right home for it. I had a similar set up for my reception with a small cottage sized room with the fireplace and a long family style table. I think early spring would be nice for the right flowers in bloom, or in the fall at the turn in October when you can start to use the fireplace.

Do you think the personalities would not get along? You should try to have a meet & greet before the wedding so they can become familiar. Our families have only met once before and everyone got along splendidly, were we all laughing and enjoying each other.

Thanks everyone! Unfortunately they aren't local. My parents and siblings are in Puerto Rico. My mom will be there no matter what. I can see my older brother making it. I hope my dad and sister make the effort. FH grandmother lives in Florida but she flies in for all kind of occasions. The rest of FH family lives less than 2 hours away but not exactly local. No family issues they just haven't met because of the distance. Thanks for the tips! I like having more control of planning and not accepting money. We haven't booked the venue yet and I've already had 2 fights with my mom. I feel bad that I won't be inviting some cousins and aunts but my family is so big and I'm not comfortable inviting this cousin but not that one, no matter how much closer I am to the ones I'll miss. Oh well. I've never been to this kind of wedding so it would be a new experience for me!

I second the insurance advice. You're hosting a wedding with plenty of alcohol. You don't want to be liable for anything that happens once your guests leave your wedding.

Beyond that, I think your idea has the ring of charm and intimacy that I would absolutely love. I love the idea of the fireplace being your "altar", and I'd go for fall so you can actually light that fireplace (never underestimate the power of a lit fire to draw the human eye and enhance the feeling of a beautiful, family celebration). If you can get transportation for your guests, I'd even suggest you go with something around Christmas. Christmas decor, which is a lot of greenery, is far more budget friendly than heavy florals.

I love the idea of 15 guests. My brother's first wife decided to do an at-home wedding, but she went overboard with the guest list. It was so packed with guests that she literally had to walk down the aisle with her father in the front, her in the middle, and her grandfather in the back. They all held hands, but it looked a little ridiculous.

Also, with one bathroom, someone was always waiting on line. It could have been so lovely and intimate, but she wanted her 50 plus guest wedding in her very small home. Lots of people left early. And Karen makes a valid point -- if you don't have a/c that will sufficiently cool the whole house, don't do a wedding in the summer (my ex-SIL held her wedding on a sweltering July afternoon -- with one wall air-conditioner. With all of that body heat, it was truly uncomfortable).

You seem to have an excellent, workable vision in your head. I say, go for it. And post pics.

I agree with everyone, this sounds absolutely perfect!

We had an intimate wedding in November with 12 guests. We held our "reception" in a house we rented and it was soo nice having everyone sit around one big table together for dinner. Then we all spent the rest of the evening gathered in the living room talking (and drinking). It was wonderful, intimate, and cozy.

And one thing we noticed about having an intimate wedding was that our families really bonded, which has been incredible. So I think everyone will get along just fine! If you're concerned, think about having a little get-together before the wedding.

Sounds good. Properly hosting it. Definitely get event insurance. I also live in Pa and probably a Fall wedding ( September probably before it gets too cold).

We do this kind of wedding all the time, and I love it. I'm partial to spring, but that's just me, lol!

My mom and step dad got married in their living room. It was beautiful. And then 2 weeks after that my sister got married in the living room/ceremony area of her officiants house. Also a beautiful wedding. Both weddings were in December.

That sounds lovely!

Sounds beautiful! I agree with Centerpiece about the Christmas decor but I understand your concerns about weather. I think any season could be beautiful! If you picked summer you would at least be inside where it's cool

About insurance: is that event insurance or a specific kind of home insurance? I'm suddenly thinking of the enormous Holiday gatherings at other people's homes. ETA: I see that people specified event insurance. I'm going to research that.

Christmas decor would be lovely! I've just been stranded one too many times at the airport due to snowstorms. *sigh* I'm partial to the foliage during Fall, but I know FH prefers Spring. We have a central air system but I don't know if it would still be too hot during the Summer. I work at a school and would have a lot of time off during the Summer and a week of Spring break. Unfortunately no Fall break. Something to consider I suppose. In order to plan I'd say soonest would be Fall 2017 and latest would be early Summer 2018. Thanks so much for all the feedback!

This sounds lovely! Have you thought about what you would do for music?

@CMC no idea! Totally open to ideas!

Speakers/playlist? I'm usually against that idea for weddings but that may work for your plan