A Home Wedding With No Closing Time

The work behind a backyard wedding

A home wedding has its own version of venue preparation, and Amy’s dad had been quietly doing his part for a year. There was gardening, debris clearing, rabbit holes to fill — Amy was determined not to twist an ankle in one — and a bathroom renovation finally completed before the wedding. The house also received a fresh coat of paint.

Amy had spent six dedicated months planning, with many suppliers organised a year ahead. It is the less glamorous side of an at-home wedding: every small decision is yours to make, but so is the freedom to make it. The night before, half the balloons arrived, which meant they could be set up without a last-minute rush. By the time the guests arrived, the preparation had done what it needed to do: it made space for everyone to enjoy themselves.

There was still a little early-morning tension. Alec had been watching a forecast that suggested rain around ceremony time, and Amy found herself stressed because he was stressed. Once the groomsmen took him away, the mood changed. The preparation became lighter and more fun — although Amy and her sister did realise neither of them was with their mum, who was hurrying down the hallway trying to do everything at once.

A father’s timing, and Alec’s tears

Amy’s clearest memory came at the start of the ceremony. Her dad had timed their walk precisely to the music, while Amy was tugging at his hand because she was ready to get married. Alec’s sister Lucinda had the important job of reminding him to put his phone away just as they began.

Then Amy saw Alec waiting at the end of the path. She remembers seeing only him: happy, crying, and trying to hold it together. Amy had her own practical concern — preserving the makeup — but the emotion caught up with her when she later watched the videos and saw the photographs.

For Alec, the moment has stayed just as close. Looking into Amy’s eyes, holding her hands and saying their vows, he said, was the coolest thing he could imagine.

Burgers, churros and collateral balloon damage

The food truck nearly took a different turn. Amy had first hoped to book another supplier, only to receive no response after being told to get in touch in August. A frantic search led her to Sliders on Tyres — and, more importantly, their rainbow churros. The first enquiry suggested they might not be available, but a few days later the booking was confirmed. Only after deposits were paid did the original food truck finally reply.

It worked out well. The burgers and chips kept everyone fed, and the churros justified Amy’s determination. There was no need for anything overly fancy; good food was the brief, and it delivered.

The smaller mishaps were equally on-brand. Amy’s first champagne pop caught her sister Jo’s dress, while the second nearly found one of Alec’s uncles. Later, a laser brought along with the sound system developed an unexpected talent for popping balloons every time it swept across the room. At least it reduced the pack-down the following day.

Alec, meanwhile, brought his usual energy to the dancing. Little Robbie carried on a family tradition by going hard on the dance floor — following in Alec’s footsteps from his uncle’s wedding. For Amy and Alec, that felt fitting: a house built for their people, a few balloons lost in the process, and a party that had no interest in winding down early.