Down on the Farm: The Perks of Barn Weddings

No one wants to hear that the bride's parents just "bought the farm." But if they've rented the farm instead, it's time to start rejoicing. Growing in popularity, barn weddings are lovely any time of year, and provide the perfect opportunity for a creative spin on the classic wedding tradition.

If you're picturing a dilapidated hay loft in the Appalachian boonies, think again. Barns that double as event spaces span the range from clean and charming to downright elegant and draped in chandeliers. Some large barns even come with ballroom spaces.

Farm venues can symbolize a harmony with the earth and can foster a sense of community. If the bride or groom is a nature lover (or a foodie), farm event venues should be considered at the top of the list. While retaining the cleanliness and elegance of more traditional wedding venues, upscale barns can also encourage guests to relax and have more fun than they would in a stuffier atmosphere.

Use the Views

When planning your ceremony or reception at a farm venue, schedule a walkthrough before you settle on a spot. Keep in mind that not all views need to be sweeping vistas to be impressive. Maybe you fall in love with an old peach orchard, or the deep red side of a postcard-perfect barn. By keeping an eye out for aesthetics, you can construct an immersive experience for your guests. This is especially true for situations that will have everyone facing in one direction, like facing the altar, or gathering for speeches and cake-cutting.

Old trucks or farm equipment, especially vintage machines, can add a rustic flair to a farm setting. Chipping paint and rust make a charming contrast to a nicely-coiffed couple in the engagement photo session. There's a difference between antique farm equipment and a rusted old clothes dryer on a pile of cinder blocks, though, so consider carefully before piling on the old appliances for effect.

A Sense of Community

Barn weddings are great places to go green! If you and your fiancé are planning an extravagant wedding and want your dollars going to a doubly-good cause, look for venues you'll feel good supporting. Many organic and sustainable farms gladly rent space as event venues as well, so you can plan a celebration that helps the community and the planet as well as your immediate friends and family.

Most couples choose barn weddings because they're hoping to achieve a more casual and relaxed experience for themselves and their attendees. If you have talented friends, a barn wedding is the perfect excuse to ask for contributions to your celebration in the form of musicians, artistic vision, or whatever else is their specialty.

Bountiful Benefits

If your venue is a working farm, don't be afraid to ask about discounts for purchasing their product. If you can get farm-fresh fruits or veggies to work into your catering and centerpieces, it's well worth it to craft their bounty into your wedding's theme. Be creative: on a dairy farm think cheese plates and ice cream, whereas a U-pick blueberry farm can work berry garnishes into the drinks and wedding cake. Is there a grain field? Sprigs of wheat and rye look beautiful in bouquets and centerpieces. Does your barn house horses? Decorate with lucky horse shoes.

Hay There!

One lovely perk of a barn wedding is the overabundance of hay. This versatile material can accent any aspect of your décor for the immediate, country-perfect touch. Do you have any unsightly fixtures, like generators or folding tables, that aren’t doing your ambiance any favors? Disguise them with stacked bales of hay. Most farms have hay bound in convenient blocks, so you can transport them easily.

Bales of hay make convenient seating for multiple guests, and are surprisingly comfortable when covered with a blanket. Ask the barn's managers if there is any hay they can't use for feeding livestock; often, there are surplus bales and you can use them for free. Otherwise, ask where your farm purchases their hay. They can probably point you to a cheap bulk source.

Make friends with the tractor operator and you may be able to score some hay rides at your party. When lined with soft hay, a metal trailer ride becomes surprisingly comfortable, and it's a fun way for your guests to tour the property. Hay rides are a hit with kids and adults alike.

Farm Fresh

Farm food is fresh, hearty food. Try to get close to the source of your food and steer away from overly-processed treats. Think lemonade, flatbread pizzas, flame-roasted fresh veggies, marinated mushrooms, and buffalo burgers.

Pro tip: Avoid serving meat from any type of animal that could conceivably be staring at your guests as they approach the buffet line. Are any animals (such as birds) free-roaming? It also helps if someone is on duty (no pun intended) to clean and protect the ceremony area from incidental droppings.

Barn weddings are the perfect opportunity to flex your artistic muscles and create a rustic-chic, funky, down-to-earth celebration of family and friends. But the advantages can last for years. The next time your nagging mother-in-law asks, "Were you raised in a barn?" you can reply, "No, but I was married in one."