If you’re getting married and considering getting married in a barn venue, we’re here to help. As a wedding vendor whos been to countless weddings in my 22 year career, I can tell you that all wedding venues are not alike, especially barn venues.

Today, we’ll explore barn wedding venues and what to look for when booking one.

What is a Barn Wedding Venue?

In the simplest form, a barn style wedding venue is a building with a rustic style theme, most times it’s a faux barn or a building that appears to be a barn that you would find at a farm. This is not to be confused with a two or three sided building which is a pavilion.

Most of these types of wedding venues cater to the “Country Rustic” or “Luxury Rustic” theme that many couples seek. Barn venues have been in the increase in the last 20 years and I’ve seen them come in all shapes, styles and sizes.

In fact, millennials’ are to contribute for the influx of faux wedding barns in the United States, 15% of couples chose a barn style venue, in 2009 that number was just 9%.

Venue Popularity

Data from The Atlantic, May 2018

These barn style venues are anything from what you might consider trashy or rundown, in fact, they are quite the opposite.

Venues like Silver Hearth Lodge and Pippin Hill Farm in Virginia are venues that offer that luxury, you will not find any hay bails and overalls at these venues. Brass lamps, air conditioning, breathtaking views and attention to detail is what you’ll find at these types of locations.

Why are Barn Weddings Becoming So Popular?

Millennials want to be simple, they don’t want to show off and be the center of attention. Weddings of yesteryear were all about being over-the-top with everything from the wedding dress to the wedding cake.

While the cost of weddings have increased, in 2011 the national average was roughly $27,000, in 2020 that number is closer to $34,000, couples are sinking more money into more relaxed venues and offer lots while not being to “showy” for their guests and families.

Barn venues are just that.

All the luxury without coming across as being too arrogant in the money they spend. Couples today would rather spend money on the experience than anything else.

As a wedding vendor, I can tell you that barn style venues have exploded in recent years, it seems that everyone wats to get in on the action and thats great for the couple, not so great for venues.

As more and more couples steer away from church ceremonies in the last 20 years, they flock to venues.

And that saturates various regions with people building or turning old barns into venues and in turn it lowers the cost for couples. It’s all about supply and demand and there is a threshold of supply that is almost beyond what markets can hold.

What Should We Seek in a Barn Style Wedding Venue?

While they’re all different, there are some things that you should seek.

Capacity

You want to first make sure that the venue offers enough space for your wedding. Some venues are larger and can accommodate a large crowd, while others only a certain number of people.

If you’re wanting a venue that can hold 140 people, don’t look at a venue that can only accommodate 90, it’s just not going to work.

You’ll need to ask or find how many people the venue can handle and make sure that your wedding can fit the venue.

Bathrooms

I’ve been to a few wedding venues where they only had porta-johns, those blue bathrooms that are meant for construction and outdoor events.

Trust me, you don’t want that for you in your wedding dress or your guests!

Blah!

Instead, make sure the venue offers enough onsite restrooms for everyone. A good rule of thumb is to have one stall for every 30 people at the wedding as a minimum.

If you have 100 guests, you want to have 3-4 stalls in the restroom.

Bridal Suite

Not all venues believe it or not, will have a bridal suite.

While some will have a room to get ready in, you really want a dedicated bridal suite or room for the day.

Why?

Part of the Silver Hearth Lodge Bridal suite, nationally known for being one of the best in the United States.

Because you want enough room for you and the bridal party, plenty of outlets for cell phone chargers, hair curlers, makeup air brushes and blow driers.

You’ll also want at least one full size mirror so you can see everything, plenty of light for hair and makeup (not to mention the photographer and videographer) and enough space to house all your stuff for the day.

Functional, yet comfortable is what you need to seek.

Concrete Floors

While this should be a given, there are some wedding venues out there that don’t have solid floors. I’ve been to one that has sawdust on the floor, another where they had gravel as the floor and one when a dirt floor.

It’s not well suited for dancing or when the rain comes it will make everything wet and that’s something you simply don’t want.

I highly suggest you have a solid floor, wood or concrete.

What is a Good Price We Should Pay For a Barn Style Venue?

Well, this is a bit of a tricky question.

But I can tell you that barn style venues range from just a few hundred bucks to upwards of $20,000 or more.

We can tell you however, that you should be spending about 20-26% of your budget on the venue. That number varies depending on where you live in the United States and the cost of living each region offers.

Don’t book a venue based on what others are paying.

This is because what’s affordable to others may or may not be affordable to you and your spouse. Instead, look to your wedding budget for the answer on what you should spend.

Don’t have a budget yet, use our online tool.

The Eighty Four Wedding Venue Barn in Floyd, VA

What are the styles of Barn Wedding Venues?

The styles of barn venues you’ll find include rustic, luxury and classic.

Rustic venues are going to be more of an outdoor wedding with a barn, it could be a red barn or one that looks more authentic like you’d find at a farm in the country. They’re going to have areas of focus that are outdoor, like pavilions, porches and camp firepits.

You’ll find lots of décor with a old flare to them, old tools, bottles and rusty tractors and pickup trucks may blanket the campus of a venue like this.

Barn Styles Found in the US

Barn venue styles found in the US, Wedding Wire, 2017

A majority of the venues that are barns are going to fall into this category.

Your luxury rustic barn venue is going to be much more upscale and you’ll find things like gas lanterns, large doors, white wash or red buildings, fancy upgrades like coffee bars, custom bridal suites and dedicated groom suites can often be found at these types of venues. They’re also going to be much more costly, elegance meets outdoor chic.

Silver Hearth Lodge Wedding Venue at night.

Classic barn venues in the barn category are simple and cover the basics. An enclosed barn, a place for the bride to prep (not a bridal suite per say), gazebos and places to sit outdoors.

Classic barn venues are the lower priced of the three types although they are typically the least accommodating with amenities.

Is a Barn Wedding Right For Our Wedding?

Honestly it boils down to a question of taste.

What I can tell you however is that more and more couples are opting for a barn style venue. Even if your ceremony is outdoors, the barn is still used for the reception and dinner.

If it rains, you have a building to protect you from bad weather, so as a wedding vendor, it’s a win-win.

Barn weddings can be a lot of fun, low key and great for weddings.

If you’re thinking about one, look for one near you and ask them to take a tour of the property. You may like it, you may not. The great thing about weddings is that there is an entire range of styles and price ranges to fit your needs.

So, do your research and see if one may be a good fit for your wedding day needs.