Things to Consider When Planning Your Barn Wedding
Rustic weddings…ah, they are beautiful.
Gorgeous scenery, cozy atmosphere, Mother Nature at her best. Or, bugs, extreme temps, and Mother Nature at her worst. To ensure you have the blissful wedding of your dreams, these are some things to consider when planning your barn wedding.
Practicality Pays
While barns can provide for an amazing wedding atmosphere, planning can be a little tricky. They typically don’t offer the common luxuries, like bathrooms, that traditional event facilities offer. When you’re saving all the barn wedding Pinterest boards, consider:
Does the venue have bathrooms? If not, you will need to make accommodations. There are lots of portable restroom options that can fit within your wedding style. (Tip: You can even add a special touch, like including a cute basket of monogrammed hand towels by the sink.)
What’s the electrical outlet situation? Will you need to bring in power, or are there enough options for all your electricity needs? (Caterer, band, DJ, etc.)
Is there enough lighting? Is there enough – or any – lighting in the barn? You may have to supplement or completely bring in lighting for your wedding.
How loud and long can we party? Even if the barn is remote, you will need to check the local sound ordinances to ensure you aren’t breaking any city or state ordinances. The last thing you want is to have to deal with the police on your wedding day.
Where will guests park? You will want to have a designated and easy-to-find parking area for guests. When determining the parking area, keep the proximity to the actual barn in mind. You don’t want your guests to have to walk too far before entering.
How’s the terrain? Is the ground muddy, hilly, hard to walk on? Keep this in mind as you determine the layout of your wedding celebration. Depending on the terrain, you may want to encourage your guests to wear flats, so heels won’t get stuck in the ground. (Tip: You could even provide flip flops for your female guests. They will appreciate you helping them not ruin their heels, and the flip flops are easier to dance in at the reception!)
Check the weather. Always have a plan B in case of inclement weather. Can your entire celebration take place inside the barn if it’s raining outside? Do you have enough fans/air conditioning or heaters if it’s extra hot or cold? Weather can turn on a dime, so be prepared to take extra steps to make your guests comfortable. (Tip: Have cute baskets of umbrellas stationed around the venue, if rain is on the radar. Have parasols and paper fans placed in baskets if it’s warm and sunny.)
BONUS TIP: A couple of our favorite barn locations: Howe Farms and Grey Dove
Sensational Styling
To create the perfect rustic barn wedding, there are lots of ways to customize and style your wedding to create those perfect little extras.
Candles – Candles may be the single best décor item. They are inexpensive and make for a cozy or elegant atmosphere. Pillars and/or votives all around the barn can truly make for an intimate setting.
Signs – Chalk anyone? Barn weddings make great venues for creative signage. Chalkboard signs and painted wooden signs are great ways to direct guests to various activities and venues.
Greenery – Embrace even more natural elements by incorporating greenery. Using various forms of greenery in bouquets, centerpieces, buffet table décor’ and pots/planters around the room brings in a simply elegant vibe. As a plus, greenery is often more budget-friendly than flowers, too.
Embrace the Fall – If your wedding is taking place during the fall, embrace seasonal elements. Use pumpkins and gourds for décor. Decorate using the rich fall colors of deep reds, oranges and browns. You can also incorporate scarves or woolen throws into your décor.