How To Pick The Right Barn Wedding Venue

I found myself this week replying to inquiries and saying things along the lines of, “The majority of weddings I photograph are barn weddings, I’m so excited yours is a barn wedding too!” I realized I have quite a few barn weddings under my belt and then I thought, maybe I can help future brides and grooms who are planning their barn weddings by using a bit of my experience photographing them!

I’m planning a barn wedding, how do I pick the right barn?

 
The first thing I would ask, is what do you need?

Do you need a big space for 150+ or can your guests fit into a smaller area?

Do you want all-inclusive (tables and chairs, caterers, bar, DJ provided etc) or are you prepared to hire in vendors?

Do you want a modern, renovated, high-end barn or do you want something more rustic and stripped back?

These questions might prompt more questions than answers, but don’t worry, I’m not going to leave you hanging!

Here is a list of barn wedding venues I have worked with in the past and a few characteristics about each to help you. Ultimately, you want to find a barn that fits your needs and once it fits your needs then you can consider whether it fits your wants too! You want to look for a barn that fits your guests comfortably, that can either supply all your vendors/amenities (like caterers, bathrooms, bar etc) or has access for them to come in from the outside. And most of all, you want warm and friendly staff who are there to help you!
 

The Barn at Upcote, Cheltenham

Pretty, rustic detail and Cotswold stone. Multiple barns and plenty of outdoor space for drinks and canapés plus large indoor space for dinner, dancing and relaxing and drinking!

Open fields out the front, perfect for group photos and croquet!

A secret garden around the back of the barn, just for the bride and groom. Perfect for alone time and bride and groom photos.

And last but not least… a pizza oven! What’s not to love??

 

Priors Court Tithe Barn, Gloucester

Beautiful white stone interiors and a large dining space…

So many picturesque backdrops like this barn door and gardens!

Enough space for a full band to set up and plenty of room to dance!

And maybe even a wheelbarrow for your getaway!

 

Upwaltham Barns, West Sussex

Large indoor ceremony location flooded with natural light, gorgeous wooden beams and stone walls.

Cozy bridal suite for getting ready with a staircase that just so happens to be perfect for a father of the bride’s first look!

Amazing barn doors for backdrops!

Large white stone barn for dining and dancing complete with wooden beams and hanging chandeliers- so beautiful!

Outdoor seating and relaxing area with umbrellas to block out the heat, ideal for summer drinks and canapés.

Small garden area and countryside views for bride and groom photos…

Large space for a full band to set up and lots of room to dance… even breakdance!

 

Cripps Barn, Gloucestershire

Outdoor decking for drinks and canapés, white stone interior with a big fireplace for an indoor ceremony.

Off to the side of the ceremony room is a large open room with a bar for eating and drinking, also filled with plenty of light.

Wide open fields and gardens surrounding the venue for amazing bride and groom photos!

Candles and fairy lights everywhere making the colder nights warm and cozy!

Plenty of dance floor space and space for a full band to set up…

Outdoor fire pit…

Running barefoot in your wedding dress is encouraged ;)

WOODFIRE PIZZA (caps needed)

Cripps Barn allows sparklers on the premises and there’s plenty of room for it!

 

Redhouse Barn, Bromsgrove

Awesome exterior and modern interior. Very large dining area that turns into a dance floor/ relaxing space for the evening complete with fairy lights and a bit of the outdoors brought in.

The exterior barn walls and secret garden are perfect for photos.

Accommodates full band set up with an impressive lighting rig!

 

Good news!

Barns are in and of themselves beautiful backdrops for photographs. They more often than not have picturesque grounds and awesome looking barn doors and the interiors hardly need any decorating- the character of the barn speaks for itself. So, don’t sweat the photos!

Happy hunting my friends and if you need any help, please do message me! :)