Understand how the area works

First learn about the area where you will be. Not all barns are the same they come in different sizes shapes and amenities. Spend some time getting to know the size and quirks of your space. You could begin by speaking with the manager or the person in charge of the venue.

"Cut Once Measure Twice" You might have heard this before but it's worth saying again. If you measure your space correctly you can avoid problems at the last minute. You can plan for the dance floor seating and decorations without having to guess if you know the exact size.

Think About the Flow Think about how people will move around the room. You don't want the entrance or the bar to be too busy. Draw a rough outline of the floor plan. You can get ideas from wedding planning guides and sites like WeddingWire.

Lighting and Decor

One of the best things about barn weddings is that they don't need a lot of extra decorations. But with the right lighting and decorations a plain barn can be a beautiful place to have an event.

Should You Do It Yourself or Get Help from a Pro? String lights are very popular in barns for a number of good reasons. They light up the room and make it feel more private. But remember that putting up lights high up might not be as simple as it seems and safety should come first. It might be worth it to hire a pro if you aren't good with ladders or don't have a stable place to stand.

Embrace the Natural Beauty Don't try to hide the barn's character. Make your home look better by using its natural features. You can hang lanterns or garlands from the wooden beams and a simple runner and some wildflowers look great on those old fashioned tables.

Things to think about when you are catering

Do you have a kitchen on site or do you need to bring your own? Not all barns have kitchens but some do. Right away know which one you're dealing with. If you need to bring cooking supplies think about how much they will cost and how to get them. You don't want your caterer to lose money because they can't warm up the soup.

Buffet or Plated Meals? Think about the space when choosing between buffet and plated meals. Buffets can be better and make things more relaxed in a casual setting like a barn. Just make sure there's enough room for everyone to stand in line without stepping on each other's toes.

Making guests feel comfortable and providing amenities

Guests who are happy make for a happy wedding day. Make sure your guests are comfortable by adding a few nice touches.

Restroom Facilities Many barns weren't built with weddings in mind so there may not be many restrooms or they may be far away. You might want to think about renting portable toilets. To keep the day's classy feel buy the more expensive kind.

Weather Proof the Day If you're getting married in the summer or winter make sure your guests know what's going on. Tell people what to wear on your wedding website or in the invitations. Your guests will be happy to know that they might need an extra layer or a fan.

Plan for backups and surprises

Things will still happen that you didn't plan for no matter how well you plan. Get ready to deal with them so they don't ruin your day.

Vendor Backups Always have a list of backup vendors on hand. If your florist doesn't come through knowing of another one nearby can save you. Start these relationships early and be friendly with each other.

Problems with the Weather A barn might look great in sunny pictures online but the weather can change everything. Make a plan for when it rains. If you can't use outdoor spaces like gardens or patios you can set up tents.

Emergency Kit Put together a wedding emergency kit with things you might need in case something goes wrong like needles and thread a first aid kit extra shoes and umbrellas. It can make a huge difference when you need it.

At first planning a wedding at a barn venue may seem hard but these tips will help you make it a day to remember. Keep in mind that the best weddings are the ones where everyone from the couple to the guests is comfortable and has a good time. If you stay focused on hospitality and little things that matter everything else will fall into place.