If you are looking for barns that are ideally suited for weddings, whether you are going to buy, rent or maybe even build, there are several features and factors you should consider.

Location

Depending on where you live you may want to consider having backup plans. For example, the weather here in Oklahoma can be pretty unpredictable. If you’re hosting your wedding in say October, you may want to think about the possibility of a random cold front moving in or unforeseen rain. Make sure you can plan accordingly. Is the barn rain-proof? If not, can an area of the property be tented? Is the barn climate-controlled? If it isn’t, are there any heating or AC units available?

Group Accommodation

How many people will the barn and adjacent surroundings hold? If you’re having a larger wedding, you’re going to need all of the space you can lay your hands on for the service seating, reception with tables, ample parking spaces, bandstand and dance floor, and other activities.

Restrooms

City and county ordinances may come into play so check with your local governments. Whether you’re doing porta-potties or plumbed facilities, make sure your guests are going to be well taken care of. The last thing you want is to have guests getting frustrated with the lack of facilities.

Speaking of Ordinances

Know what the rules and restrictions are for parking, gatherings, food cooking, storage and serving, curfews, noise restrictions, underground utility locations, etc. One great way to keep any of this from upsetting your wedding is to hire a qualified wedding planner. They will know exactly what needs to be done to keep everything running smoothly.

Food Service

You will need to decide if you choose to cater or have food made on site. Do you have the necessary equipment and permits? Caterers are often very selective about what kinds of cooking and refrigeration equipment they are willing to work with.

Ensure that the location is acceptable to your local zoning board. The facility must be a commercial-grade kitchen; using your personal home kitchen is not allowed. If you plan to make this a business on your home property, you must construct a separate kitchen room dedicated to your food business. The dedicated kitchen must-have washable floors, walls, and ceilings. The lighting must be adequate for commercial purposes, and the room must be properly ventilated.

There are dozens more standards not mentioned here that must be met before you can serve food to the public. Check with your county government.

Insurance

Anytime the general public even crosses your property line, it’s recommended that you have insurance to protect yourself. It’s also important to hire insured companies, that way, you can have peace of mind knowing that the caterer and or bartenders are safely insured.

Installing Barn Tents

Will bugs be a factor? Depending on the season, insects (and allergies) can be unwanted “guests” at your wedding. So you may want to think about using tents to separate your wedding from the great outdoors.

Ideal Wedding Barn Facilities

• Large open spaces to handle the biggest weddings.
• Easy to clean and easy to traverse hardwood floors and smooth surfaces to eliminate tripping hazards, and sharp edges where people can be cut or injured.
• A power supply that can support a local band, DJ, climate control, and lighting.
• A master chef’s kitchen that would make Chef Mario Batali feel right at home.
• A dance area big enough to accommodate all guests.
• Certificates, Licenses, and permits to please even the most discerning city official.
• Rustic looking but spotlessly clean.

Time To Start Planning!

Now that we have covered the various aspects of designing a barn that can handle weddings of any kind, it’s time to start planning! If you’re leaning towards building a new structure, we can take that project off your hands. With over 16 years of experience, Bargain Barns USA can handle any project. You can contact us today and schedule your free consultation. Once we have the concept finished you’ll get to see the blueprints and a 3D rendering of the venue. You can call us at 405-872-0338 or at 888-607-4060 to speak to a member of our team and get started today.