About this vendor
Bluestem Farm & Events is all authentically original with all the modern amenities you want for your wedding! Come see how our personalized wedding approach ensure the wedding of your dreams.
Built over 100 years ago, it's one of McHenry county's oldest barns. The barn boasts two levels for your event plus an outdoor patio space. Surrounded by over 140 acres of prairie, the views are simply stunning.
We all know the finer things are in the details, The barn is filled with original woodwork and hand-crafted details that you and your guests will enjoy. If you are looking for an original and unique venue Bluestem Farm is your perfect location. Contact us today for more information and to set up a tour.
Amenities + details
Ceremony Area
Dressing Room
Handicap Accessible
Indoor Event Space
Liability Insurance
Reception Area
Wireless Internet
Covered Outdoors Space
On-Site Accommodations
Outdoor Event Space
Business Attributes
- Woman-owned Business
Ceremony Types
- Civil Union
- Commitment Ceremony
- Elopement
- Interfaith Ceremony
- Non-Religious Ceremony
- Religious Ceremony
Settings
- Barn
- Farm & Ranch
- Garden
- Historic Venue
Venue Service Offerings
- Destination Weddings
- Planning
- Rentals & Equipment
Awards and Affiliations
6-Time 'Best of Weddings'
2025.2024.2023.+3 more.
Best of Weddings
The Knot independently assesses vendors for this award—it’s never self-reported. We base it on firsthand experiences from real couples and guests, and they must have a 4.5-star average across 7+ reviews in the qualifying year.
Hall of Fame
Earned by winning 'Best of Weddings' four or more times.
Reviews
Your trust is our goal. Our community relies on honest reviews to help
you make those big decisions with ease.
5
out of 5.076 reviews
Review photos
Showing slide number 1 out of 9
We could not have asked for a more perfect wedding venue than Blue Stem Farm and Events. We got married there on 05.29.26 and it was a dream! From the beautiful grounds to the seam...
less organization of the day, everything exceeded our expectations. The venue itself is absolutely stunning and created the perfect backdrop for our wedding.
One of our favorite features was the bridal and groom suites. Both spaces were amazing—comfortable, spacious, and thoughtfully designed. They provided the perfect place for everyone to get ready, relax, and enjoy those special moments before the ceremony.
A special thank you goes to Kelly, the owner, who was incredible throughout the entire process. She was always available to answer questions, offer guidance, and help with every detail, big and small. Her kindness, professionalism, and genuine care made planning our wedding so much less stressful. We truly felt supported every step of the way.
On our wedding day, everything ran smoothly, allowing us to relax and fully enjoy the celebration with our family and friends. We received so many compliments from our guests about how beautiful the venue was and how wonderful the experience felt.
If you're looking for a wedding venue that is both breathtaking and managed by someone who truly cares about making your day special, we highly recommend Blue Stem Farm and Events. If you're thinking of booking, this is your SIGN! Do it!!!❤
We had our wedding at Bluestem Farm in Illinois, and it was absolutely amazing from start to finish. We received so many compliments from our guests about how beautiful the venue w...
as — it truly speaks for itself. The entire setup made the day feel fun, relaxed, and incredibly special.
One of our favorite parts was the flexibility to choose all of our own vendors, which allowed us to really personalize our day. At the same time, Bluestem provided a list of fantastic recommended vendors, which made planning so much easier.
Choosing Kelly, the owner, as our day-of coordinator was hands down one of the best decisions we made. She ensured everything ran smoothly and handled anything that came up behind the scenes so we could be fully present and enjoy every moment. We never had to worry about a thing.
We genuinely wish we could go back and do it all over again. We couldn’t recommend Bluestem Farm more highly!
This venue is beautiful and made our wedding vision come true. Both the grounds and the venue is well kept and has the best view for sunset photos. Kelly is amazing to work with; s...
he is great with communication, was our month and day of coordinator, and made our day run smoothly. She makes everything easy, provides so much support and is very consistent and thorough. I trusted her with our wedding vision and she made it all come true if not better than we could have imagined!
Bluestem was the first place we looked at and nothing after it compared! I highly recommend the weekend rental, setting up the Friday before made Saturday stress free! Kelly coming...
as your planner/coordinator exceeded my expectations! She was there to help with the last minute things that came up with the vendors down to helping me bustle my dress and get all those dang buttons undone at the end of the night! I got so many compliments on the beauty of this venue and my wedding pictures are a dream because of it! 10000/10 recommend Kelly and bluestem!
We truly couldn’t have asked for a more perfect place to celebrate our wedding. From the moment we first visited, this barn venue had such a warm, inviting charm that immediately f...
elt right—and it only exceeded our expectations from there. Our favorite thing was having our dogs with us!
The setting is absolutely stunning. The rustic elegance of the barn, combined with the beautiful natural surroundings, created the most magical atmosphere for our day. Every detail—from the lighting to the layout—felt thoughtful and intentional, making everything come together seamlessly.
What really stood out, though, was the team. They were incredibly kind, organized, and genuinely invested in making our day special. They made the entire process feel easy and stress-free, always going above and beyond to make sure everything ran smoothly.
Our guests are still talking about how beautiful everything was and how much they loved the venue. It gave us the perfect blend of relaxed, cozy vibes and timeless elegance.
If you’re looking for a wedding venue that feels both breathtaking and personal, this is it. We are so grateful for the memories we were able to create here—it truly was a dream come true.
Bluestem Farms was hands down the BEST venue for our wedding. Kelly was extremely helpful and very quick to respond to any questions you have. She coordinated everything perfectly ...
and I am so happy with the choice we made of picking this venue. It’s absolutely stunning, the barn, the property, everything! Plus having it for the entire weekend and being able to supply your own alcohol was a huge plus!! I would recommend this venue to anyone planning a wedding especially if you want the rustic barn vibe!
I got married in late September, and I had been planning my wedding for 2 years prior. My husband and I were making lists of all the venues we wanted to look at, Bluestem being the...
first one. We went for a tour and we fell in love with everything about it. We didn’t want to jump on it right away because we were so far out, and everyone told us to explore our options. We visited 5 other venues and none of them gave us the feeling Bluestem did. Not only is it beautiful no matter the season or time of day, but the owner— Kelly and her husband are so amazing to work with. I had so many questions, emailing Kelly like crazy, and she gave me so much piece of mind. At the end of the wedding, they cleaned up everything and had it ready for us to take the next morning. I cannot say enough amazing things about the venue, the owner and the staff. I have friends looking into getting married there now, and my family still cannot stop talking about how beautiful it is. Everywhere you go, there is a perfect photo background. I also loved how I got the whole weekend, Friday for set up and rehearsal, Saturday for the wedding, and Sunday for clean up for the price I paid. I will always recommend this venue to couples who are planning on getting married. It was everything I wanted and more. Thank you for everything Kelly!
Bluestem was the perfect venue for our wedding — absolutely beautiful, especially during sunset. We got so many compliments from guests about how gorgeous the space was. It’s the i...
deal setup for people to enjoy both indoor and outdoor spaces, and there was something for everyone.
But what really made our experience great was working with Kelly. She was so helpful and responsive from day one, and super flexible with all the changes we had along the way. She handled both venue coordination and day-of planning, and made everything feel smooth and stress-free. She's down to earth, easy to talk to, and just really great at what she does.
The venue itself has everything you could want — a beautiful bridal suite and groom’s space, A/C and heat, indoor restrooms, space to spread out, and lots of thoughtful details that made things easy.
If you’re considering Bluestem — do it. And if you’re lucky enough to have Kelly as your coordinator, you’re in great hands.
Bluestem farms was everything we dreamed of. Beautiful, elegant and affordable. Kelly and her team were amazing from start to finish. We would not change a thing. Thank you so much...
!
We got married May 2025, Kelly exceeded our expectations. She was beyond helpful, informative, and helped run this wedding so smoothly where me as the bride had no worry or stress ...
the entire day. I got so many compliments on how perfect the venue was laid out. It was a beautiful sunny day. The inside was a perfect temperature. The decor looked amazing with the barn. The outside was stunning and relaxing. I don’t want to forget to mention how perfect the bridal and grooms suite were. Everything worked out so amazing but it wouldn’t have been such a perfect day without Kelly going above and beyond.
10/10 would recommend! The venue is breathtaking and the barn is amazing! Kelly did a fantastic job. She always goes out of her way to make the day go smoother. She helped with the...
planning and keeping tabs on me. (Which was very helpful) If you want an outdoor wedding and the reception in a cool barn. This is the place to be!
We had our wedding 6/15/24 at the blue stem farms and events. When I say this venue is breathtaking, it has everything you’re looking for in a rustic style barn. From the beautiful...
property to the barn this will make your wedding day even more special. Have to give a huge shot out to Kelly the owner, she is the sweetest lady you will meet. She made sure during the whole planning process to be by our sides. If you need to speak to her, she’s right there for you. On our wedding day she made sure everything ran smoothly. I cannot think of one thing that went wrong. She did a fabulous job ensuring everything was set up properly with the vendors. Highly recommend!
I cannot express how happy I am that Bluestem Farm was our wedding reception venue. First, the venue is gorgeous! If you’re into the rustic look/theme, this venue is for you. The s...
tring lights and chandeliers throughout the venue are beautiful. The bridal suite was very la eggs and accommodating for the hair and makeup team as well as all the bridesmaids, mothers, and the bride. Kelly and her team work like a well-oiled machine - everything on our wedding night ran very smoothly, thanks to Kelly and her team following closely along to our timeline of the day and paying attention to all the details. It was a near flawless night, and it was the most unforgettable night of our lives. Everything was mostly packed up for us on Sunday as well, making our clean up quick and efficient. We would highly recommend Bluestem Farm for any wedding ceremony/reception in the northern IL/southeastern WI areas.
Bluestem and Kelly were incredible. We got married in August 2024 and it was the most perfect day. Kelly was also our wedding coordinator and having her made the day so smooth. On ...
the biggest day of my husband and I’s life we had no worries.. Kelly had everything covered and she made us feel so relaxed and it really allowed us to enjoy the day to the fullest. Kelly and her team went above and beyond, and I don’t think I will ever get over how perfect the day was. Bluestem is a beautiful venue to get married and the staff made our dream come true. I can’t recommend this venue enough! Kelly you were outstanding, and I truly will never be able to thank you enough!
My husband and I got married at Bluestem Farm and Events on June 1, 2024 and we had a more than perfect experience. From the start of planning all the way through the wedding day K...
elly made everything flow seamlessly. Throughout the whole planning process Kelly made sure we stayed on track especially since she was our day of coordinator. She accommodated any and everything we could throw her way.
The venue itself was flawless.
Although it rain and outing day, and we were disappointed we cannot get married outside. Kelly made sure to, make it look just as gorgeous inside the barn inside. The bridal suit was perfect for getting text with my bridesmaids, mom and even my 4 month old baby was able to nap peacefully in the bridal suite while we were busy taking pictures. There was also a groomsman quarters that the guys absolutely loved. The inside/outside style of the venue was perfect for a summer day and after the rain cleared up our guests were able to enjoy the fire pit area and mingle outside.
Overall I would 100% recommend having your wedding at Bluestem. It is such a beautiful venue and I can’t imagine not having Kelly on our wedding day. She made everything go so smoothly and we couldn’t be more grateful.
We got married in June and to this day we cannot get over the beautiful venue. Kelly was a pleasure to work with. She was informative about the whole planning process from beginnin...
g to end and made sure that our wedding day went smoothly. We visited the barn a couple of times throughout our planning and we noticed the grounds were well-maintained each time. There are plenty of places to be photographed.
Kelly genuinely cares for Bluestem Farm & Events and the couples.
I highly recommend this venue to any couples looking for their wedding. I am so thankful that we chose Bluestem Farm &Events for our wedding day. You need to have your wedding here!
We had our wedding at Bluestem in June 2024. It was the most perfect day! Kelly and her team are absolutely amazing! Kelly made our dream wedding come true! She has so much exp...
erience and made the planning process a breeze. Bluestem is such a beautiful venue and I am so glad we chose to have our wedding there! There is not a single thing I would change! Highly recommend!!!!!
Bluestem was an incredibly beautiful venue for our wedding! The entire venue was everything we could have dreamed of and more. Kelly was fantastic in helping the day run smooth and...
everything leading up to our wedding. She did everything she could to make our day perfect and we are so grateful for her. The rustic look was just what we were looking for and our guests genuinely enjoyed their night. We got so many compliments from family and friends and our day was absolutely perfect all because of Bluestem. Highly recommend this venue!
Bluestem Farm is the perfect venue for anyone looking for a rustic and romantic vibe. The space is absolutely beautiful and Kelly and her team are so very helpful leading up to the...
wedding as well as day of. She even fluffed my dress for me before I walked down the aisle. 🤍
Booking Bluestem farm & Kelly Happ as the venue of our wedding was one of the best choices we made. Not only is the venue absolutely gorgeous, clean, and well maintained, but worki...
ng with Kelly was seamless. She took the time to get to know us and iron out the details of our day to make it go as perfectly as possible. I would recommend this venue to anyone. So many of our guests complimented us on our wedding venue and I wouldn't have changed it for the world.
Kelly is the absolute BEST! Bluestem Farm was the perfect location for our daughter’s dream wedding!
My husband and I viewed Bluestem Farms during the big wedding boom! Kelly was excellent, she answered all of our questions told us what season is her favorite at the venue and how ...
things will work for the day of. We ended up putting our downpayment later that day for our wedding day.
Kelly was really flexible. She let us do a payment plan which made our wedding so much more possible. There was even a month that I was a couple days late on the money getting to her because of the mail and all that, but I communicated it all to Kelly and she was very understanding.
We had an option to do a rehearsal at the venue but it was the Thursday before the wedding. Although this was a nice option for us, we already planned our rehearsal dinner for the Friday before the wedding. I know in 2024 it will be different as when you book the venue, it will be for the entire weekend instead of just the day.
The day of the wedding was perfect! Kelly was there all day with us. She was around helping us make the venue into our dream venue. We rented the China and she placed them all on the tables while we were getting ready. Our wedding day was really windy, windier than expected. Kelly helped us figure out how we will have our ceremony decor outside without it being blown away or broken!
I cannot recommend this venue enough!
Kelly and her venue were wonderful! We ended up using Kelly as our coordinator as well and couldn’t be happier! She was extremely responsive and available for any and all questions...
. She made or day as smooth as possible from start to finish. The venue itself is absolutely gorgeous with multiple areas for people to hang out in. I cannot recommend this place enough!!
Very professional and attentive through out the whole process. Quick responses to all my questions. Breathe taking venue.
What a beautiful venue, inside and out! The owner, Kelly is so wonderful to work with. She was very responsive and helpful throughout the entire process. Although we did not use Ke...
lly as our day of coordinator, we truly wish we would have. 10/10 would recommend!!
If you’re thinking about booking Bluestem Farm for your wedding, this is your sign to do it! We just had our wedding here and it was the most perfect day! The venue is absolutely g...
orgeous and the owner, Kelly is truly amazing! She did everything to make sure our day ran so smoothly and was so helpful during the planning process! She even set aside plate of cocktail hour appetizers for us since we didn’t have time to eat! The amount of compliments I received about this venue was unreal! All of our guests had an amazing time and absolutely loved the outdoor patio space! I will forever recommend Bluestem as a wedding venue! It was truly the best day of our lives. 🤍
We just had our wedding & reception at Bluestem Farm & Events and it could not have been a more perfect day. This was the only venue we looked at when we started planning and we kn...
ew we didn't have to look elsewhere. The entire property is gorgeous and the owner, Kelly, was the most helpful and made the choice that much easier. Every question we had in the 14 months of planning was answered promptly and thoroughly.
Kelly was also my day of coordinator and it all ran so smoothly. She was there to make sure everyone, vendors included, knew what was going on so we didn't even have to think about it.
I will forever recommend this space to have your wedding. We wish we could do it all over again!
Absolutely wonderful! If you’re looking for a venue with owners who genuinely care, look no further! Kelly is absolutely amazing and does so much to ensure your wedding is everythi...
ng you dreamed of. She helped so much day of and even more leading up to it. She made sure all my vendors were on the same page so I didn’t have to. She took care of any and every little bump we had, a few I didn’t even know about. I could not recommend a better place to get married!!
Bluestem farm & events is a beautiful venue. It has so much character that when it came to décor I felt like I didn't really need much so that was a plus on saving money. Kelly was...
very flexible and accommodating. She is very knowledgeable on weddings and her staff are great at what they do. Kelly took a lot of stress off of me and I know my big day was in good hands. I was able to truly enjoy my day and so did all of my guests. Kelly is truly a kind and amazing person who truly cares about her clients and making sure they have the wedding that they have always dreamed of.
We got married at Bluestem in July. Kelly, the owner, could not have been more helpful. Our wedding coordinator unexpectedly dropped out last minute and Kelly took on all responsib...
ilities and ensured our day went perfectly. Kelly was super flexible and allowed us to do rehearsal/set up with what was convenient for us and our very large wedding party as well as pick up our items she and her team packed up themselves the next day. Kelly went as far as calling my florist and offering to show up at their shop when I was worried about the lack of communication I was receiving from them. The venue is STUNNING and incredibly clean but the "family" feeling you get from Kelly and her workers just enhances the experience. There are a ton of add ons, suggested vendors, and decor options that make planning a wedding almost effortless. I would 100% recommend Bluestem and wish I could relive my day here over and over again.
Wow wow wow. I might as well not even write a review. This venue is consistently rated 5 stars and its not hard to see why. Kelly is doing wonderful work and she will not disappoin...
t you. This is the best barn venue in McHenry County, I assure you.
1 word, INCREDIBLE! This venue is gorgeous, inside and out - the landscape is beautiful and covered in tall trees/colorful flowers. Kelly, the owner, is so thoughtful, polite and k...
ind. She was on top of everything throughout our entire experience from meeting with her during the tour to asking questions along the way and during the entire wedding, she was there helping every step of the way. This venue is very accommodating and has back up plans just in case weather/plans go astray. We had our ceramony out in their field, cocktail hour in the lower region of the farm and reception upstairs - it was a dream, everyone was so comfortable and relaxed and we loved every minute of it. We 100% recommend the Bluestem Farm & Events!
This venue was amazing and so beautiful inside and out. Kelly was an amazing host and was there to help every step of the way. I would definitely recommend Bluestem to anyone looki...
ng to get married!
Stunning venue + don’t even get me started on the amazing owner, Kelly!!! Y’all, there is nothing she can’t do. Kelly says yes to all ideas and wants to help everyone create the we...
dding of your dreams. She is so attentive and present the entire time. She even helped me bustle my dress!! Thank you Kelly + Bluestem Farm for helping us have the best night of our lives.
We cannot recommend Bluestem Farm enough -- it was the perfect venue for our outdoor wedding. Kelly is an outstanding host and communicator who will be in contact with you every st...
ep of the way, and the barn itself is an absolute dream for a backdrop. The bride and groom suites are great places to get ready, and our guests couldn't stop talking about the venue.
Bluestem was truly a dream prior to and on our wedding day! The venue is gorgeous and we had the most amazing sunset on our wedding day. Our guests absolutely loved the outdoor an...
d indoor spaces- there was “a place” for everyone! Kelly who is in charge of everything at the venue was really easy to work with and helped guide us. She did a wonderful job setting everything up and tearing everything down. I really felt like I didn’t have worries on my wedding day because I trusted she would get it done! We used many of the vendors she recommended and everything was great. I would recommend this venue to everyone. It is beautiful and you truly feel like you are in your own little world! Also our pictures at the venue are gorgeous. Can’t say enough! Thanks!!!
This was a wonderful venue for our wedding!! We couldn’t have asked for anything better. The rustic charm and amazing outdoor ceremony space were exactly what we were looking for. ...
Our friends and family kept commenting that the venue was so unique and stunning! We would DEFINITELY recommend working with Kelly and her team. They did a fantastic job and made us feel super comfortable and special throughout our experience!
We had our wedding with Bluestem on June 04, 2022 and we wish we could relive it every day! Kelly is amazing, truly the best. She was personable, reliable, responsive, and i had a ...
very seamless experience working with her. The farm was beautiful and Kelly really brought the day to life with all of my DIY decorations. I would book this venue over and over again and cannot recommend it enough. You will be taken care of here! Was the day of my dreams!
We were honored to have had our wedding last weekend at Bluestem with Kelly and Kiersten. Kelly was extremely personable, easy to work with, very communicative, and an absolutely a...
mazing team player working well with new to her vendors.
The venue is very well maintained and the grounds couldn't have been more green and beautiful! All of our guests were raving about the beauty of the venue and also the laid-back atmosphere that is created by the string light lit patio with patio furniture and fire pit.
The day of the wedding, Kelly and Kiersten were constantly helping with the small details, keeping things on track, and making sure things went as smoothly as possible. Having grown up in Hebron, it was special to have been able to get married in my hometown but it was equally as special to have gotten married at such a beautiful venue.
Chelsea M. We loved it
Bluestem farm was the location of my July wedding. It is a beautiful venue with a well kept lawn, a fully restored barn, a gorgeous prairie, and well appointed bridal and groom sui...
tes. We wanted to showcase natural splendor as a backdrop for our wedding, and Bluestem is a great choice for others looking to do the same. Our pictures are gorgeous partially because of this gorgeous venue.
Kelly, as a venue manager, was easy to get a hold of, a great communicator, and very helpful in the time leading up to our wedding. On the day of our wedding, she and her staff were efficient and professional. The venue itself is gorgeous, but Kelly is a real asset to your wedding planning.
Kelly at Bluestem Farm made our entire wedding process a dream! She was there to answer any and all questions we had, was accommodating when things came up and helped make our wedd...
ing day perfect! I can’t begin to tell you how many compliments we received on the venue and how beautiful they keep the grounds.
Can we go back and relive our wedding days again? Bluestem is magical. The barn and grounds are beautiful and so well kept and it all backs up to conservation prairie grass that is...
just amazing! The team was easy to work with and super helpful leading up to our wedding and on the big day! They went above and beyond! Don't miss out on this venue, it is absolutely perfect!
We had our wedding September 25th at Bluestem. From the tour 2 years ago to the wedding, Kelly has been one of the best vendors I've ever worked with. Her family takes impeccable c...
are of the grounds, helps you every step of the way, and truly puts passion into her work for you to have the best day.
The guests loved the venue and they were very accommodating with weather, have very neat rentals and worked well with our other vendors. We cannot thank Kelly and her team enough for making our dream day come true. We will miss Bluestem and look forward to attending a wedding there in the future!
Thank you Kelly! Bluestem has my highest regard and utmost respect.
We had a wedding this past weekend at Bluestem Farm and Events. I can't say enough about what a fantastic experience it was! Kelly is the absolute best to work with. She is respons...
ive, professional, friendly and very very helpful. The barn is gorgeous and the grounds are just beautiful. There are two buildings on the property, one for the bride's quarters and one for the groom's. They had a great time getting ready with their attendants. You can rent a bag game or a vintage bowling game. There's a firepit on the patio and a dart board in the groom's quarters. It just has anything you need for a fun day and night. Kelly insures that everything runs smoothly, she made our wedding a great success. I highly recommend Bluestem, it's amazing!
Bluestem Farm and Events was the absolute best venue to host our wedding. Not only was the venue itself picture-perfect, but Kelly and her staff were incredibly organized and helpf...
ul in the planning process. She helped ensure that our big day went off without a hitch. Our guests are still commenting on how beautiful the venue was. Highly recommend considering Bluestem for your wedding!
The venue is fantastic! Everything you could want and more. Looked at a lot of barns and Bluestem was far and above the best. The owner,Kelly, is so accommodating and handles ever...
ything. Had so many compliments on our wedding
This venue exceeded our expectations. Throughout the planning process, Kelly helped us along the way giving us suggestions, tips and ideas on how to make it the best day ever. The ...
venue is absolutely beautiful. Our wedding was moved inside due to weather and it still was perfect. The entire premise is very clean and elegant looking. I highly recommend this venue. I still have family and friends talking about the barn and how this is the nicest venue they have been apart of.
Kelly was amazing thought out the two year planning stage (covid postponement) and was super flexible. She is always punctual in responses and willing to help however she can. The ...
venue itself is so beautiful and kept in pristine condition, inside and out. You cannot go wrong with Bluestem!!
We loved this venue and it’s pure natural beauty. No need for a bunch of decorations and all that because the venue itself is perfect and more beautiful than most others. Also Kell...
y was AMAZING the most easiest nicest person to talk to and she made sure everything went smoothly on our special day. I love it and i highly recommend using this venue for your special day it will not disappoint
Contact
9316 IL Route 173, Hebron, IL | Chicago, Milwaukee areas
Bluestem Farm & Events