How to Plan a Barn Wedding That Will Have Your Guests in Awe

Lush, rolling green hills, trees dotting the landscape and a large, bold barn right in the center of it all—it's no wonder so many people are trying to figure out how to plan a barn wedding. The elements certainly have a country charm to them, although by no means does that mean your special day has to be rustic. Some barn weddings are elegant and modern, while others feel more like a Saturday night hoedown on the farm. Either way, planning a barn wedding can get a little complicated at times, so we're here to help.

There are plenty of different ways to host a barn wedding, and we spoke to Kaci Willweth, the owner and lead planner at Simple Soiree in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, to learn everything you need to know about planning a wedding like this. From addressing accessibility issues and keeping your guests comfortable in all weather, barn weddings do have a few details unique to them you'll want to consider.

1. Dream Up Your Perfect Barn Wedding

When thinking about different barn wedding ideas, Willweth wants couples to keep in mind that "not all barns are created equal." Some work well for rustic barn wedding receptions, while others offer a more modern feel. Some are on working farms that have animals and farm equipment around, while that is nowhere to be found at others. As you dream up just what you want your barn wedding to look like, these are details to ask about when speaking with potential venues.

Willweth also points out that "some barns have heating and AC and some don't," while others "have two stories and some have one." While minor, these details could make a huge difference depending on the time of year you want to get married and what activities you want at your reception.

Lastly, some barns have a plan B for bad weather built into the space, while others require additional rentals, like a tent, to pull off a wedding in rainy weather. Willweth emphasized that these are all questions you need to ask before booking the venue.

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2. Choose the Barn and Time

When you know what kind of barn wedding vibe you're going for and when you want it to happen, it's time to find the perfect venue. Search for barn wedding venues near you on The Knot Vendor Marketplace to find options that fit your vision.

Pick Your Season

Many working farms have barns that double as wedding venues. Depending on what you want your wedding to look like, this could add some fun to your wedding! If you tie the knot in spring, there could be fresh produce and flower fields, while hosting a barn wedding in fall could mean fresh apples and tractors. However, some farms that double as wedding venues limit rentals during their harvesting season as they pour all their resources into the fruit of their labor.

Stay Within Your Budget

When planning your wedding in the barn, you'll want to set a budget first. This ensures you have money for each aspect of the event, from the venue and catering to other potential necessities like chair and bathroom rentals. Not to worry, there are still plenty of barn wedding ideas on a budget.

To help make your budget, head to The Knot Budget Advisor to see average wedding costs in different locations.

Tour Venue Options

Willweth says, "It's important to understand that not all barns were originally built to be a wedding venue." This means some won't have getting-ready spaces or great acoustics. Willweth encourages couples to make sure to see the spaces in person before signing any contracts.

Couples will also want to consider ease of access to the venue. Often, barns are further from major cities, meaning a longer drive from the airport if you have guests coming from out of town. Nearlyweds may need to book transportation, such as a bus, for guests if they are planning a barn wedding far away from hotels, restaurants and other amenities.

3. Hire Your Main Vendors

You'll want to work with vendors who have worked with a space like yours before. Hiring a wedding planner who understands the unusual quirks of hosting a barn wedding, such as potential decor restrictions or accessibility issues, will be essential to pulling your event off with ease. Search for vendors who specialize in barn weddings on The Knot Vendor Marketplace.

4. Plan for the Barn's Unique Characteristics

When figuring out how to plan your wedding in a barn, you'll need to look into your venue's specific layout and amenities. We already touched on the potential need for transportation if the venue is far from local hotels, but here are more things to consider.

Weather Considerations

Barns come in all shapes and sizes, and not all will be able to host both a ceremony and reception in the space if it's raining outside. That means it's essential to start planning ahead for rain. Many barns have open, covered pavilions nearby or a smaller indoor space where you could still host a rustic barn wedding ceremony. However, this is entirely dependent on the venue.

As you prepare for all kinds of weather, have items available for your guests to use, such as blankets, bug spray, fans or umbrellas. Especially if you have guests traveling from out of town, these things are nice to have on hand to ensure everyone is comfortable.

Decor Restrictions

If the venue is on a working farm or you're hoping to host your barn wedding ceremony out of doors, there may be restrictions on what you can bring to decorate. For instance, an animal farm may not want rice thrown, while a hay farm may not allow candles or sparklers due to fire restrictions. In rare cases, flower farms may not allow natural flower arrangements due to the potential chemicals or pests they could bring in. If you're struggling with limits on what you can do or bring, speak with your wedding planner and get creative!

Allergens Abound

The nature of hosting an outdoor barn wedding means there might be animals or hay around, which can set off people's allergies. Consider offering Benadryl and tissues in the bathroom, although it would be courteous to make any interaction with potential allergens optional to the best of your ability. For instance, set up the petting zoo a short walk away from the reception so guests don't have to interact if they don't want to.

Of course, this is just one of many fun Western wedding ideas you can include. Feel free to give guests a heads-up about these activities on your wedding website, too.

Odd Sounds and Noise Restrictions

While a hayride is an adorable addition to a barn wedding reception, having a tractor blow exhaust all over your decorations before your ceremony is not. Farm quirks like that are something to ask about when touring a venue.

If you're figuring out how to plan a large barn wedding, you might be hoping to party all night out in the country. However, you should also ask your venue if they have sound restrictions or if the town has local sound ordinances, as these could put a damper on your late-night dance party dreams.

Accessibility for All

While the charm of rolling hills may be part of why you want to say "I do" at a barn, accessibility for all your guests could be tricky. Willweth notes that "most barns do not have an elevator," which is important if you're using multiple levels. Additionally, she recommends "asking the venue how they accommodate handicapped guests. For example, do they have a golf cart to transport guests and how long do you have access to it?"

You'll also want to check out the parking situation too. Is the lot paved or will guests be parking in a field? If it's the latter, there is potential that cars will get stuck after a rainy day.

On a similar note, if the venue has a lot of dirt or grass paths the guests will be using, it is courteous to give them a heads up as that may change the footwear they (and you!) want to wear. After all, high heels are not the best when playing in the dirt.

Check on the Bathroom Situation

Not all barns will have bathrooms, and certainly not all barns will have pretty bathrooms. If your venue's facilities are not up to par, rent one from a local vendor. These days, there are some pretty nice rentable bathrooms—complete with a sitting space and multiple vanities.

5. Host Your Special Day

As with all major events, the more you can plan ahead of time and prepare for potential road bumps, the smoother things will go. As long as you make sure to address the various complexities a barn wedding could pose, such as a muddy parking lot or lack of an integrated sound system, you should be able to say "I do" without a worry in mind.