Special Considerations for Barn Wedding Venues

Must-Knows for a barn wedding

Permits and Licensing

Depending on the kind of barn you choose - a functional barn or one reserved solely for events - you may need to obtain and/or work around certain licensing restrictions. This can add to your total cost, so be sure to clarify these details during your tour. Some things to consider might be:

• What is the maximum occupancy for the space?
• Does the venue have an alcohol license? If not, can you supply your own licensed bartender?
• Does the venue have a sound permit, and how late can your wedding bash last?

Asking these questions while you tour potential venues will help ensure your venue is a good match for your needs.

Setup and Cleanup

Does your venue have specific expectations regarding setup and cleanup? Some venues may allow you to store items, like decorations, beginning the night before, whereas others require everything to be done on the day of.

Can you hang decorations and what hanging materials can you use? It’s important to know whether you can use nails, rope, or non-stick materials for hanging décor. This could mean the difference between getting your deposit back or not.

How quickly does the venue expect you to clear out after your celebration? Does it all have to be cleaned up at the end of the night, or are you allowed to finish breaking everything down the morning after? While storing items overnight could be an issue or concern with any venue, it is especially true for barn wedding venues, as they may lack the security or weather protection to safely accommodate your belongings.

The small details matter

• Research the history of your venue and use signage or party favors to share the backstory with your guests!
• Let your guests know what to expect at the venue so that they can dress appropriately and take allergy medicine if needed.
• Prepare for all weather! If there’s a chance of snow or rain on your big day, have blankets and umbrellas readily available. For outdoor summer weddings, consider providing paper fans and bug spray.
• Ditch the stilettos! Even if the barn itself has solid flooring, you will likely be wandering through the grass to capture wedding day photos. Consider opting for flats on your special day so your shoes don’t sink into the ground. If you do want to wear heels, go with a block heel.

Northern Kentucky Barn Wedding venue

The Barn at Belle Hills is the preferred barn wedding venue for couples in the Crittenden, KY, Northern Kentucky, and Cincinnati areas. Our event space is complete with all the luxurious amenities you need on your wedding day, like air conditioning, getting-ready rooms, and a bar. Set on 70 acres of rolling Kentucky scenery, Belle Hills is the perfect setting for the rustic wedding of your dreams! Contact us today to schedule a tour of our stunning space and take the first step to becoming a Belle Hills bride or groom.