How to Make it the Best Barn Wedding Ever

Barn weddings are popular for lots of reasons.  But how can you make sure your barn wedding stands out from all the others?  How do you make it the best barn wedding your guests have ever been to? We’ve got tips on making sure your wedding is fun, unique and perfect for you!

Why did you choose a barn wedding venue

Think through the reasons you chose a barn wedding venue.  Was it to get away from the busy city?  Do you love being in nature?

Highlight those reasons as you plan your wedding!  

Barn wedding venues in North Georgia can be located in the heart of the country or in a busy small town.  The benefits of a country location give you quiet and privacy.  You can avoid busy roads or crowds.  The drawback can be lack of accommodations for guests or a long drive.

If you choose a barn venue closer to a town or city, accommodations can be easier to find.  The drawback can be busy streets or limited on site parking at the venue.

How do you make the most of either choice?

If you choose a country setting, check to see if there are larger vacation rental homes in the area.  This allows friends and family to hang out much easier than a hotel room.  Look into local activities for guests to make it a weekend getaway.  You can create a fun local map or brochure with suggestions for your guests.  

In North Georgia, there are lots of vineyards or breweries to visit, hiking opportunities, local stores and restaurants.  Find more to do in North GA here.

If your barn wedding venue is in a small town or closer to the city, highlight the features of that city!  Consider planning an after party at a local bar or restaurant.  Provide information on the best restaurants, coffee shops and other activities that might be walking distance from where your guests stay over the weekend.

Think through what you love about the location and share that with your guests so they can experience it also!

Did your love of nature inspire your choice of a barn wedding?

Highlight that in your wedding! 

Choose outdoor spaces for the ceremony, cocktail hour, reception, dancing – whatever fits at your venue location and time of year.

Use the natural landscape as a backdrop for your ceremony with minimal decor.  A simple arbor can frame a view of mountains, rolling hills or a large field.

Choose seasonal flowers in garden style arrangements.  Garden style arrangements are less formal and mimic the natural growth of flowers.  Aisle meadows are a great way to highlight nature.  Your flowers don’t have to be just flowers!  Add in greenery, foliage, and interesting natural elements to blend effortlessly with your surroundings.

Consider unique table decor like small potted plants or greenery.  Use pictures of you as a couple in different natural settings (on hikes, visiting gardens, etc.) at the tables.  

Gift your guests with fun favors like flower seeds, “donating” a tree in their name or tickets to local state parks.

Does the relaxed vibe of a barn venue appeal to you?

Maybe you’re not a “fancy” person.  Your idea of a great night with friends involves a comfortable sofa and good conversation rather than the latest club. (Don’t worry if you love a more formal vibe, we’ll cover ideas for that later!)

Include elements to encourage your guests to relax and mingle.

Outdoor games are a great way to add to the relaxed atmosphere.  It also makes it easy for guests to hang out.

For cool weather weddings, consider cozy blankets around a firepit. 

DJ’s are an important part of helping guests relax.  Providing background music during cocktail hour and dinner keeps the space from feeling too quiet (it is a party, after all).

Add a fun element like a live wedding painter or caricature artist.  Both of these are fun for guests to watch and enjoy the evening.

Make it the Best Barn Wedding by Showcasing your Personality & Style

Barn weddings aren’t just rustic.  In fact, contrasting the rustic and natural elements of a barn wedding venue with modern, elegant or colorful elements will enhance your design!

Plus, there are lots of “types” of barn wedding venues to choose from.

Modern Barn Wedding

To start, you can look for a barn wedding venue that is modern in its style.  Elements like a white or black exterior, glass sliding or garage doors and modern light fixtures add to a modern feel.

Even with a more traditional barn venue, you can add elements to create a modern feel. Consider options like:

• Black or white accents
• Simple color palettes
• Lots of greenery
• Geometrical shapes for lanterns, table numbers, etc.
• Your wedding dress and bridesmaid dresses also add to the overall design

Elegant Barn Wedding Design

Look for a barn wedding venue with lots of white.  A white interior is beautiful for photos.  Look for a space that is light and airy with lots of natural lighting.

Whether you choose an elegant barn venue or a more traditional barn, emphasize the elegance with:

• Elegant linens – choose custom table linens and napkins.  Add drapes at doors.
• Lush floral arrangements.  Flowers can immediately add elegance.  Cover the arbor area in flowers, add tall floral arrangements at reception tables, and consider adding large arrangements to the buffet and bar areas.
• Candles – lots of candles!  The gorgeous flickering light from candles adds tons of elegance and romance.
• Add chandeliers to the arbor, cocktail area or at the sweetheart table.
• Choose elevated place settings with chargers, layered plates, sparkling goblets and gold utensils.

Create a Colorful Barn Wedding

The best barn wedding for you is the one that shows your style.  If you love color, go for it!  Barn weddings don’t have to be the standard rustic color palette.

Some of our favorite weddings have featured beautiful, colorful palettes.

Bright colors, jewel tones, and whimsical palettes are highlighted by the contrast of the rustic barn setting.

Add color with:

• Flowers – a favorite, always. Work with your florist to create gorgeous bouquets and arrangements filled with color.
• Linens – use colored table linens and cloth napkins to add color throughout the space
• Colored glass goblets – this is a beautiful and fun way to add color across the tables
• Bridesmaid dresses – give them options in a few colors and styles
• Add colorful vases or votive candle holders for pops of color

Ensure your guests remember your wedding as The Best Barn Wedding Ever

Create fun and unique experiences for your guests.

These can be simple things like keeping them comfortable.  Some barn venues may be missing air conditioning or easy access to all the spaces.  Choose a venue with comforts like heat, air, cushioned seats, etc. to keep guests comfortable.

If you love the outdoor spaces at your venue, add extra elements needed depending on the time of year.  For warm weather, provide hand held fans, shaded space for ceremony or cocktail hour, ice water or other cool drinks before the ceremony.  During cocktail hour, consider frozen cocktail popsicles as a fun option.

In cool weather, add outdoor heaters, blankets, fire pits and warm drinks like coffee or cider.

Let your guests know what to expect with your invitations. Invitations are a great place to direct guests to a wedding website with all the details.

• Let them know the ceremony will be outside
• Give them tips on dress code.  Provide more than just “cocktail attire”, etc.  Add info like “Our ceremony is in a beautiful natural setting, so make sure you are rocking shoes you can walk and dance in.”
• Include a sample timeline so they know when the ceremony is, cocktail hour and dinner.

Find ways to Surprise and Delight your guests

Have you ever ordered something online and loved the packaging inside the box?  They might use colorful tissue paper with a branded sticker.  Maybe they include a handwritten note or samples.

These are little things, but they probably made you love what you received even more.

Think through a couple small surprises for your guests.

Some things we’ve seen:

• Late night snack after dancing – mini sliders? Yes, please!
• Personalized cocktail napkins with drawings of the couple’s pets or fun memories to share with guests about their love story.
• Second dessert – seasonal hand pies from a local orchard, donuts, cookies
• Late arrival of a custom donut truck – yep, it’s a thing!
• Live wedding artist.  You might think this is for you, but guests love watching the artist as they work on the painting!
• Caricature artist for guests.
• Personalized thank you notes for guests from the couple.

Create a Farm to Table Wedding

Go beyond just a barn venue and choose a farm setting for a Farm to Table wedding.  This emphasizes a truly unique setting for a barn wedding!

In gorgeous weather, set up long tables for an al fresco dinner. Add string lights and candles.  Use low floral arrangements or bud vases to allow guests to converse easily.

Serve some aspects of the menu family style.  Large platters of salad or bread that guests can pass and share create a unique sense of community.

Work with a chef that has connections with local farmers and can create a menu centered around seasonal produce.  Celebrate Spring with fresh salads with strawberries, add sweet carrots to your sides, and goat cheese – that makes everything better, right?  A Fall menu can include warm soups, roasted root vegetables, and apples.

Feature locally grown flowers in your arrangements.  Consider adding a bouquet bar as a fun, interactive favor for your guests!

Don’t forget cocktail hour!  Feature signature cocktails with seasonal flavors and mixers. 

Blueberry bellinis in Summer, cider mule in Fall or a figgy spritz in Winter.

Celebrate the Best Barn Wedding Ever!

Start by remembering what inspired you to choose a barn wedding venue and emphasize that!  Share the love of nature, relaxed atmosphere or privacy with your guests.

Add elements to keep them comfortable so they can be fully present and enjoy the day with you.

Lastly, make it fun!  Show off your personality with décor and unique experiences that will have your guests telling everyone about the best barn wedding they’ve ever been to!

Check out our wedding packages (including Farm to Table options)!