Wedding, Barn, & Special Event Venue
300+ guests
Holds ceremonies and receptions
The Gathering Barn is the perfect blend of rustic elegance and sophistication for your special day. The beautiful, scenic country views coupled with acres of lush landscapes, will give you the storybook occasion you've always dreamed of.
Venue Highlights
-300+ capacity
-Centrally located between Milwaukee and Madison
-Several serene locations for your ceremony
-Petting farm
-35 acres of activities for you and your guests
-Access to coordinator for your event
-Onsite bridal suite and groom’s quarters
-Rustic decorations provided
-Luxury bathrooms
-Outdoor dance patio
-Multiple hotel chains within 3 miles
Clients provide their own alcohol and can choose their own caterer. This offers considerable financial savings.
Weddings are held from April through the second weekend in November. When you book a wedding here at The Gathering Barn, you and your guests get to explore and play on everything that Busy Barns Adventure Farm has to offer. Because we are such a unique barn venue, we ask that our couples come for a tour at which time we go over pricing and everything else that’s included.
Check out our website, Facebook and Instagram accounts for more great pictures of the venue.
Life’s most treasured moments deserve an unforgettable location.
Woman-owned Business
Pricing details
Starting prices
Reception:
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Ceremony:
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Bar services:
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Catering:
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Starting prices don't include service fees, taxes, gratuity, and rental fees. Guest count and seasonality may also affect prices.
Amenities + details
Amenities
Ceremony Area
Covered Outdoors Space
Dressing Room
Handicap Accessible
Indoor Event Space
Liability Insurance
Outdoor Event Space
Reception Area
Ceremony Types
Civil Union
Commitment Ceremony
Elopement
Interfaith Ceremony
Non-Religious Ceremony
Religious Ceremony
Second Wedding
Vow Renewal Ceremony
Guest Capacity
300+
Settings
Barn
Farm & Ranch
Any questions?
Availability
Reviews
4.9
out of 5.020 reviews
Your trust is our goal. Our community relies on honest reviews to help you make those big decisions with ease.
Review Summary
This AI-generated summary is a snapshot of this vendor's ratings and feedback.
The Gathering Barn is praised for its stunning 35-acre venue, amazing activities, and stress-free wedding experience. Reviewers highly recommend the venue, highlighting the exceptional service from Afton and Megan. The venue offers beautiful decor, spacious accommodations, and reasonable prices, with guests enjoying activities like rope courses and a petting farm. The attentive staff, helpful communication, and accommodating nature of the team made weddings truly memorable for couples and guests alike.Review photos
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Hailey B
5.0
11/25/2024
AMAZING!! From the beautiful 35 acre venue, to all the activities and the most stress free wedding day I will continuously recommend this venue! Afton was awesome at providing extremely helpful tips to save money and make the day easy as well as very prompt with communication and responses. Megan our day of coordinator was spectacular, seriously I did not have to worry about a single thing my entire wedding day! Both Megan and Afton would respond to any questions within 5-10 minutes and offer so many ways to help and keep you on track! I truly loved my experience working with The Gathering Barn and they gave me my most perfect wedding day, honestly better than what I pictured in my head! Go see the venue and I promise you will fall in love with it and love the team you will work with there! I will continue to recommend this spot to everyone! 10/25/24 Bunzel Wedding!💍❤️
Kim W
5.0
10/22/2024
Our wedding at The Gathering Barn was a dream come true. Afton, who runs the gathering barn, and Megan, our Gathering Barn wedding coordinator, are the main reason for that. The stunning scenery & fun amenities of the farm were amazing as well; the huge slides, the American Ninja Warrior-style rope/tire course, the animals, and the corn maze to name a few. Our guests had an absolutely fantastic time, as did we (the brides). We had a very creative wedding where we went all out, we even got driven into the ceremony in our jeep by our officiant, and The Gathering Barn plus all its staff accommodated any of our needs, as well as wants. Our wedding could not have been the day of our dreams without Afton and Megan there for us in our corner along the way. The prices for add ons, as well as overall price of the venue were very reasonable. The amount of money we saved getting to buy and bring our own alcohol was fantastic. Megan and Afton helped us in every way imaginable with any needs, accommodations, or questions we had along the way, they are truly fantastic individuals. When all the stress of a wedding is clouding your thoughts, it's wonderful to know that you have people like that in your corner who remind you that it is YOUR day and YOU deserve to have what you want and be happy. We are so grateful for everything Afton and Megan both did for us to help us prepare & support us on our wedding day. If you have any bit of hesitation picking The Gathering Barn for your venue, just do a walkthrough, meet Afton, see the beautiful space and ask Afton any questions you may have. We personally had so many questions and Afton not only answered all of them for us, but she did what she could to accommodate anything and move us in the right direction when it came to vendors. Just trust us when we say go to the farm, see the venue, you’ll be hooked. It is the perfect venue for adults, and kids as well. The most memorable moments our guests had voiced to us at the end of our wedding night were related to the abundance of super fun activities available on the farm, and all the super cool decor that we got to put around the venue. A lot of places won’t let couples express themselves to the full extent that The Gathering Barn let us. The petting farm was a guest favorite, and our guests got to feed the animals as well. The perfect venue for beautiful & fun photos.
Any questions?
Heidi L
5.0
9/06/2024
My daughter just got married at The Gathering Barn in Ft. Atkinson , WI August 30th. We had a BIG wedding with 350 guests. I cannot say enough great things about this venue. The wedding was magical. The venue was pristine and beautiful. Lots of space for guests indoor and outdoors. Noone was cramped or tables being too close together for eating. The suites for bride and groom and wedding party are big and really nice. The grounds of the venue allow for beautiful pictures. We paid for the petting areas for the animals to be accessible and our guests LOVED it. If you are inviting children this is a very kid- friendly venue but also if just sn adult wedding its awesome too. The two ladies who run the show ( Afton and megan ) are great and really nice but get the job done. They lay out all costs so you know exactly what the fees are and there is nothing hidden. The three bartenders that they hired were exceptional !!!!! Our wedding was outdoors and the set- up was a 10 out of 10. Overall just a fantastic day and we would highly recommend this venue to anyone.
Emma J
5.0
6/11/2024
We got married at the Gathering Barn in May of 2024. We cannot say enough good things about the owners (Afton and Mitch) and the Coordinator Megan!
They were all so kind and helpful throughout the whole process and throughout the wedding day! Simply incredible!
We would highly recommend the Gathering Barn and their team!
anonymous u
5.0
5/28/2024
Could not have asked for a better venue! The Gathering Barn exceeded all of our guests expectations! Stunning venue with so much to do! Afton and the team made us feel like family by the end! Couldn’t recommend them anymore, so so so fantastic!
Grace P
5.0
5/14/2024
Afton and Megan at the Gathering Barn made our day perfect. With no independent planner, Afton and Megan helped us plan carefully while knowing we were on a budget. They had a well thought out list with all the necessities that we needed, which was incredibly helpful. They also had done all the decor in and around the main barn, which really saved us time and money. All the little tips and tricks they provided us (such as buying Solo cups rather than other brands or choosing cupcakes rather than a sheet cake) were greatly appreciated. We were able to visit the venue a few times before the big day and we were able to set up a day in advance, as we had a Friday wedding. Ultimately, as a couple with a limited budget and no family help physically or financially (no one to help select catering, photography, a DJ, etc.), we had a lot to plan and iron out, but Megan and Afton took a huge weight off our shoulders as we navigated our way through planning. The two played a huge role in the day's success and we couldn't be more appreciative. From the beginning of the day til the end, the team was able to remain flexible and accommodate to quick requests and they had all of our things ready to take home by the end of the night. We were taken very well care of the whole day.
Our favorite things about the venue:
BusyBarn can be an adult playground. Adult guests raved about being able to let loose and feel like a kid. The animals around the farm were a huge hit.
The Gathering Barn is stunning and has plenty to offer in terms of decor and space. All we needed to bring were our personalized centerpieces and a few guest books/activities to really make the Barn feel like ours.
Rain or Shine, the venue will accommodate you. We had some rain on our day but it did not stop anyone from dancing!
The only recommendation we have is to make the restrooms more accessible.
We can't wait to visit again! The night went perfect!
Thank you!
Melissa T
5.0
11/29/2023
We had our wedding here a few months ago and had a great experience overall. We booked this venue almost two years in advance which was great for doing monthly payments. Afton & Megan are great teammates and get things done. They are both very sweet, kind and understanding. I hired Megan for my day of coordinator and wedding planner, she’s the absolute best. She answers every question and did everything to make our day smooth and easy. It was one of our best decisions to hire her, as I feel I know have a life long friend. Truly, everyone needs a Megan in their life and her husband Chris was our videographer. He did absolutely amazing and exceeded our expectations. I highly recommend this venue as it’s gorgeous, clean and modern. The property offers so many activities for your guests. The staff are amazing and do everything to make your day the best day ever. My husband and I have decided every year around our anniversary date we are going to go back and visit! Oh and we got to have our dogs with us, which means the world to us!
Rosie A
5.0
11/03/2023
Thank you to Afton for such a beautiful venue to have our wedding at…. It was such a beautiful day and we hired Megan as the wedding coordinator to help out throughout the day she was helpful
Linda W
3.0
10/27/2023
Some things to think about before you book this place: There is no plumbing in this barn. Walk in dark on grass to get to bathrooms. This is hard for elderly. They need a concrete lighted path. The appetizer table is too small. Make sure you request extra or larger ones.
Biggest complaint: we hired the personal attendant from the busy barn employees which was to keep the appetizer bar plenished with trays of snacks which we had all plated and wrapped in an outside cooler. She was also to help pick up all of our decor, garbage, extra food and place back into our trailer. DO NOT HIRE for this. These women were so disrespectful with our items at the end of the night. They just stacked and tossed stuff into the trailer in a heap covering whatever was on the bottom. Dirty dishes were mixed with decorations and gifts. Nothing was damaged, but a little respect in packing things with some organization would have been appreciated. They also started taking decor down at 9:30. We worked so hard to set a beautiful display up we would have liked it up until 11.
Venue is beautiful for daytime wedding in summer so the doors on barn can be open. We had an October wedding with a cold winding day unfortunately.
Emily P
5.0
1/01/2023
We got married here in July, 2022. it was honestly the best day ever. the staff are so focused on your day and providing ease for you. we loved working with Mary and Megan for lit special day!
response 01/03/2023
Thank you so much for the kind words. It was such a pleasure getting to work with you bot...
h. What an amazing day it was. We look forward to seeing you soon and hearing about the joy this new year has brought you both. Happy Holidays The Gathering Barn Family
Emily B
5.0
9/03/2022
I cannot speak highly enough about this venue. Mary has so many tips and tricks to offer about the wedding planning process, telling us things we hadn't even thought about. She clearly takes so much pride in her venue, it's so well kept and it's absolutely beautiful. The personal attendant, Megan, is FANTASTIC. She is so nice, helpful, and keeps an eye on every little thing happening at the wedding. She's on top of everything, she anticipated our questions and requests, and we could not have had such a perfect day without her help. She helped get everything set up, helped with the ceremony, and helped clean up. Afton was also such a big help making our day successful. She was always checking in with us, was there the night of the rehearsal helping us get setup and helped clean up as well. She was a wealth of knowledge and she was always there reminding us to eat and drink! She greeted our vendors as well so they knew where to go. We got so many compliments about the venue (I can't stress enough how beautifully decorated it is) and the animals were a huge hit! Great venue for kids, if they're invited to the wedding. We're so happy we chose this venue, they made our day perfect.
response 01/03/2023
Emily, you are so sweet. We all loved working with you this summer. What an amazing wedd...
ing it was. We had a blast and are so glad we were able to make it the wedding you hoped for. We love hearing from our couples and this makes our hearts so happy. Wishing you lots of love and health in 2023!!! The Gathering Barn Family
Karen T
5.0
9/26/2021
Our daughter had her wedding here 9/11/21. The venue was amazing and fun for all ages. Our personal attendant, Megan was outstanding and the owner, Mary was very attentive and really knows her business. Every one of our guests commented on how perfect and beautiful the setting was. So many places to take memorable pictures and enjoy being outdoors. We had a wonderful celebration!
response 09/28/2021
Hi Karen, Thank you so much for the kind words and for letting us share in the celebratio...
n of Hannahs and Tylers wedding. Your group was a joy to work with and to get to know. We hope you will make it back again for some more fun on the farm this Fall and next Spring. We love seeing our couples and families on return visits. We are truly blessed to have the opportunity to get to know such wonderful families as yours. Please stay in touch.
Marie K
5.0
10/02/2020
The most beautiful place for a wedding reception! They were incredibly accommodating and made the day absolutely PERFECT!
response 10/03/2020
Thank you Marie & Danie. What an amazing day it was full of family, friends, fun, good f...
ood, great band and lots of love. Thank you for sharing your special day with us. It was a pleasure getting to know you both and your friends and families. Wishing you both much happiness!
Jamie L
5.0
9/08/2020
seriously the best venue if you want more for your guests. Mary and the coordinator Megan were absolutely phenomenal to work with. And they literally have everything you could ever want all in one location. I seriously hope someone we know gets married there too so we can enjoy everything they have to offer.
response 09/08/2020
Congrats Jamie & Tyler,
Thank you for the kind words. You both were a joy to work with a...
nd to get to know. What an amazing day you had! The weather was perfect and you could feel the love in the air from all your family and friends who attended. Wishing you both much happiness and endless adventures as you start you new life together.
Live, Laugh & Love, Mary
Anna H
5.0
8/10/2020
I honestly cannot say enough great things about this venue. We were married August 8, 2020 amidst all the changes in society due to covid-19, and had to switch our venue 3 weeks prior to the wedding, due to our previous venue no longer being able to host our guests. Mary was amazing and made the crazy whirlwind of re-planning a wedding in 3 weeks go very smoothly. You could tell how much she cared the entire time, and how her main goal was to make sure we were still able to have the wedding we had always dreamed of. Talking with our guests throughout the night we received countless compliments on how beautiful the venue was. Mary, Megan and the rest of the staff at the Gathering Barn were better than I could have ever hoped for, and I did not worry about one thing the entire night, because of all the hard work and effort they put into the day for us. If you are looking for a beautiful outdoor barn venue for your wedding there is NO BETTER PLACE is central Wisconsin than this place; you aren't going to find a staff that cares more about their couples. Thank you Gathering Barn for making my COVID wedding everything and more than I could have hoped for!
response 08/10/2020
Hello Anna & Marcus,
Thank you for the kind words. It was a pleasure getting to know you...
both and thank you for sharing your wedding day with us. It was an amazing and fun day for everyone to enjoy! I am glad we were able to help make your dream wedding
come true during these difficult times. I hope you be able to make it out for a visit to the pumpkin patch, sunflower field and petting farm this fall. Be sure to find us and say hi if you do. Wishing you both much love and laughter as you start your new lives together. Mary,
Alexandra C
5.0
9/16/2019
We got married at The Gathering Barn on May 31st 2019. The Gathering Barn was the first venue we looked at, we ended up booking it the next day because we knew it was perfect. Finding The Gathering Barn basically got our wedding planning rolling, things started falling into place after booking it. Mary is absolutely amazing, she goes beyond above and beyond. They have hosted tons of weddings and have no problem answering countless questions. Mary was by our side from booking the venue until we came to pick up our cars the day after our wedding. There are so many things for the guests to do, so we were actually able to do all our pictures and none of the guests got board. There have been a number of weddings this summer and I am very proud to say that our wedding gets brought up at each one, you could say we have "No Regrets!".
response 09/17/2019
Hello Alex & Andy,
Thank you so much. You two were awesome to work with and to get to kno...
w. Your wedding was a beautiful and fun day for everyone to enjoy. I hope we see you this fall. We open already this coming weekend, its just crazy how fast time flies by. Thank you again for sharing your special day with us. Mary
Stacey A
5.0
6/06/2019
The moment I saw The Gathering Barn I was hooked! This venue has it all, gorgeous setting, lovely decorations, beautiful views and let's not forget the animals! Mary was great to work with and she went above an beyond on our wedding day making sure my wife I and I were taken care of and also making sure everything ran smoothly. All of our guests were impressed with The Gathering Barn and all it has to offer. We had a great experience from start to finish!
response 06/06/2019
Thank you. You girls were fabulous to work with and to get to know. I hope we see you ag...
ain this fall. Wishing you much happiness! Mary
MaryJo C
5.0
6/05/2019
What an amazing place this was for our wedding! Mary was exceptional on our wedding day. Not to just us but all our guest. Especially the wedding party. Plus she just really let us know how much she enjoyed our friends and family and that means the world to us! Her husband and bartenders were amazing as well. All of our guest mentioned what a beautiful and fun venue it was. I wouldn't change a thing!
Stacie E
5.0
8/15/2018
Mary and Gary of Busy Barns Adventure Farm are wedding saints! They both take such an interest in every couple that used their more than breathtaking venue for their wedding day. Mary helped us out so much and made the entire process so much less stressful and the day of flow easier than expected. I 100% wish that I could go back in time and relive my wedding, it was amazing! I am STILL getting compliments on the venue and all the amazing farm animals. This is truly the place to be if you have lots of friends and family, but I have no doubt it would be just as grand for a small wedding. I LOVE this place!
response 08/15/2018
Thank you so much Stacie you are so kind. We are blessed to have such wonderful couples l...
ike you and Kellan to work with every weekend. Thank you for sharing your amazing wedding day with us here at The Gathering Barn. It was our pleasure getting to know you both and your families. Be sure to find me and say hello if you make it out this fall to the pumpkin patch and Barnyard Adventures. We wish you both much happiness. Live, Laugh, Love, Mary & Gary Telfer Busy Barns Adventure Farm LLC
Nick P
5.0
6/15/2018
Amazing venue and decently priced! Staff were there during the wedding to make sure everything went smoothly. Mary made us feel like family and the different activities around the farm like tricycle racing was a huge hit among the young adult group. Would recommend to any couple looking for a fun, rustic wedding.
response 06/15/2018
Thank you Nick. It was a pleasure to get to know you both and your families. Your weddi...
ng day was a beautiful and fun day for all to enjoy. We hope you can make it back to visit Busy Barns Adventure Farm this fall for our Fall Harvest, Pumpkin Patch and Petting Farm Activities. Please be sure to find me and say hello. Live, Laugh & Love, Mary The Gathering Barn
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The Gathering Barn at Busy Barns Adventure Farm
Afton
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