It’s no secret that we’re huge fans of barn weddings here at Rustic Wedding Chic. There’s just something so magical about celebrating your marriage on a beautiful farm. We think that barns make great wedding venues because they’re a blank canvas for creative couples: You can create just about any style of wedding in this rural setting — from down-home country to luxe and elegant! Read on to discover how to get married in a barn.
1. First things first: Is a barn right for me?
To determine whether or not a barn wedding is right for you, you’ll first need to know the approximate size of your wedding and the time of year you plan to marry. A blow-out bash with 500 guests might be too big a celebration for most barns, but if you can scale down or find an extra-large space, you could still pull it off. On time of year: Traditionally, barns are not heated or cooled, so factor in the comfort of your guests when deciding on a barn wedding venue. You may need to rent heating lamps or a cooling system, so add that to your wedding budget.
2. Finding a barn.
Lucky for you, our Rustic Wedding Guide is chock full of barn wedding venues all over the U.S. Browse our list to find a barn venue near you, or, if you have the option, consider asking a friend or family member who owns a farm if you can borrow their barn. You could also browse message boards and ask other brides about their barn weddings and get the inside scoop on marrying on a farm.
3. Securing your rentals.
Whether your barn is set up for use as a wedding venue or ordinarily houses grain or livestock, you’ll need to secure a few rentals for your big day. If you’re marrying in a working barn, there is a lot to consider: clearing any animals/equipment/debris; cleaning the space; heating/cooling the barn; bathrooms; renting tables, chairs, flatware, decor and so much more. Find out whether or not your venue needs a generator to power lights, sound systems and any other electronics, and ask the barn’s owner if they have liability insurance (always worth having at a big event where people will be drinking — especially on a working farm).
If you’re marrying at a barn that regularly hosts weddings, it’s likely that the barn’s owners will have many of the necessary rentals on hand (think: tables, chairs, serving platters, linens etc.) Check with your venue manager to find out what is available for your use and what you’ll need to rent. Speak to your caterer to find out their needs before your wedding, too. You should always consider the possibility of bad weather on your wedding day and ensure that there is enough space in the barn to house all of your guests and that any planned outdoor activities can be moved inside if necessary.
4. The bathroom question.
Many established barn wedding venues provide restrooms on site, but if you have to bring in your own port-o-potties, consider renting fancier trailer-style toilets. Ensure that there are enough bathrooms at your venue to accommodate the size of your wedding (one or two bathrooms is enough for 30-50 guests).
5. Dressing up the barn.
The best part of marrying in a barn is decorating! A barn can become anything you want it to be, from a romantic, fairytale ballroom to a down-home barbecue-and-gin joint. String up lanterns and twinkly lights, choose decorations that suit your style (for example, burlap table runners or DIY chair ribbons) and design floral tablescapes with your theme in mind. Have fun with your barn! It’s the perfect blank canvas for any rustic-style wedding.
6. Lighting.
Since barns are typically dark, lighting is a particularly important consideration. You can certainly hang small lights throughout the space, but they might not fill the barn with much brightness. Look into getting a spotlight or setting up other hanging lights if you’re having an evening wedding and will need to light your barn. See our post on how to light a barn wedding.
7. Food service.
Barns designed with weddings in mind often have space carved out for caterers, but working barns, of course, do not. Your menu will likely depend on what your caterer can create in the space provided: barbecue or other easy-to-eat foods might be a better option than a sit-down meal, so call around to a variety of caterers to see what they recommend.
8. Getting guests to your venue.
Most barns are out in rural locations, not in cities where it’s easy to get around. Be sure you provide clear and specific directions to your wedding venue, and consider renting a bus or other large vehicle to transport guests from a central location.
Photo one from this real wedding by Erika Follansbee Photography / Photo two from this real wedding by Style & Story Creative / Photo three from this real wedding by Red Shoes Photography / Photo four from this real wedding by Lindsey Johnson Photography
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