Formal Barn? Is it possible?

jenfler · April 2010

Hello there - This is my very first post on the boards!

I have a serious indecisiveness issue! I love so many different styles of weddings, and I want to be able to find a way to have a semi-formal wedding, but to do so in a laid back venue, like a barn. Is this even possible? What I'd really like is to rent a mansion, but they are just too expensive. I've found a few images of barns all prettied up for a reception, and I think it looks beautiful! But I also want to have a formal dress, and the bridal party will be formal.

I'm basically overwhelmed with all the options that are out there...especially the beautiful ones!

Does anyone out there know of a barn that is possible to rent that won't cost me my first born? Here are a couple of images of what I would like:

Thank you so much for any ideas you may have or suggestions or answers!

Much apprecaited!

hkiesling · April 2010

There's The Enchanted Barn. I think another Knottie had some pictures from there, but I don't remember who. http://theenchantedbarn.com/main.php

For historic, have you looked at Summit Manor? We had our reception there and found it to be pretty affordable. Their rental fee includes a lot of extras like linens, dishes, cake cutting, vases of flowers on all the tables, etc. There's pretty much no decorating costs. I have a full review and some pictures in my bio.
www.summitmanor.com

Steph0871 · April 2010

LOVE this idea.... maybe it's the Central WI farm-city girl in me

but I love the idea of having a reception in a decked out barn. How fun! and certainly unique. I was going to suggest the Enchanted Barn, but Heather beat me to it.

Good luck! Let us know what you find!

Katiemahler · April 2010

In my venue searching I ran across Gale Woods farm ... don't know anything about it. I also have a friend getting married at the Enchanted Barn this fall and they really loved it!

maybe984 · April 2010

Yep. Enchanted Barn really is the place to go for a barn wedding. And yes, it can be as formal as you want. I ALMOST booked there, but the no-indoor-plumbing scared me off. Yep, if you want to get married there, be prepared to use a port-a-potty in your wedding gown.

There is/was a similar place in Fall Creek, WI called "Creative Farming Studios" but I think they went out of business... because I couldn't seem to get ahold of anyone and their website was down for several weeks on end.

Qston · April 2010

Check out Camrose Gardens or Camrose Hills or somethinng like that in Stillwater. I looked into it when I was looking for that kind of rustic look, its not quite a barn, but pretty cool... gardeny/farmy feel.

Good luck!

PS... Welcome to the boards!

ef7310 · April 2010

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_minnesota-minneapolis-st-paul_formal-barn-possible?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:81Discussion:05ff527c-2edc-4314-81bd-9df37d837d01Post:d39c9057-6ec4-4597-bbff-5e5cf0e7061d">Re: Formal Barn? Is it possible?</a>:
[QUOTE]Check out Camrose Gardens or Camrose Hills or somethinng like that in Stillwater. I looked into it when I was looking for that kind of rustic look, its not quite a barn, but pretty cool... gardeny/farmy feel. Good luck! PS... Welcome to the boards!
Posted by Qston[/QUOTE]

<div>Camrose Hill Flower Farm: <a href="http://camrosehillflowers.com/farm.html" rel="nofollow">http://camrosehillflowers.com/farm.html</a></div><div>
</div>

kclepire · April 2010

Check out the featured wedding tab on this Laura Invanova's website

http://www.lauraivanova.com/index2.php?v=v1#/home/

There are a few barn receptions on there for some examples.

MesmrEwe · April 2010

Little Log House Pioneer Village (littleloghouseshow.com) - it's rural Hastings, but the site is GORGEOUS overall... The beauty of the location is that the interior of the reception hall is basically a VERY nice "barn" feeling with modern facilities. The price is also incredibly reasonable along with their policies (i.e. if someone goes out on the property and whips a donut in the grass, it's you're responsibility to cover the cost of the damage type thing)... DH's cousin had her reception there and it's an awesome site and very easy to work with.

MoriaMN · April 2010

Welcome. I agree with the enchanted barn. Love this rustic elegance that inspires you.

newlyseliski · April 2010

Check out Kathy and Tony's wedding reception on Ginger Murray photography's website! They did a GORGEOUS reception in a very rustic barn out in Delano area that I don't think is too expensive to rent but you do have to bring in all the linens, tables, etc, yourself. Also... there's that Round barn place down in Southern MN that is pretty incredible and I think would accomplish your goal of formal/informal... but might be a bit pricier (aka your first and perhaps second born as well)! Both were in the spring issue of Minnesota Bride.

beka0404 · April 2010

I toured a farm in southern Isanti County last summer that might be an option for you. The actual barn is in use, but the machine shed is used for serving drinks and dancing. The house is available for rent and sleeps, like, 12 or something. The farmer next door owns this farm, and rent it out for three-day weekends. I think the fee was $3500 for Fri/Sat/Sun. (It seems steep, but the cost is offset by an open catering policy - you can even self-cater - and you can bring in your own liquor.)

Here is an aerial shot: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_hDVtoshToUw/SisO-OaHC7I/AAAAAAAABjQ/6Npo8lJl0VA/s1600-h/erickson+1.jpg

The 45' x 60' concrete area to the west of the main house is where dinner is served (under a tent). The caretaker's house/shed (closest to the road) is not included in the rental fee.

The interior of the machine shed looks similar to this: http://www.studio306.com/weblog/photos/doan06.jpg

We ultimately chose a different venue (for date reasons) but I had tons of ideas for a formal farm wedding. Here is my inspiration board that I made last spring: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hDVtoshToUw/Sh4RF0QU1cI/AAAAAAAABio/xw_23BIWFhY/s1600-h/3568105258_c3be67aca8_b.jpg

The farm's owner doesn't advertise much, but if you want his contact info, just private message me.

Good luck!

debbieupper · April 2010

Ooooo! A girl after my own heart. This is exactly what we were going for, too (I actually have the same barn photos you posted in my inspiration pics!).

I think what PPs mentioned above are all GREAT options for what you're looking for. If you want details on almost every one of them and about 30 others (alcohol/food policies, seating, price, contact, etc), I made a spreadsheet of all the places that fit what we were looking for. I can email it if you PM me with your email address.

For what it's worth, we ended up choosing the Little Log House (mentioned in PP). There are photos of it in my bio, and actually in my signature, too, for now. Good luck on your search and let me know if you want the spreadsheet (or anyone else for that matter!)

jenfler · August 2010

To all of you, thank you SO MUCH for the inspiration!! I will be PMing a couple of you for more info.

Sorry for the late response. We've (my fiance and I) had quite the year so far, with a few interruptions in wedding planning. We are now finally getting back to the planning.

Thank you very much!

Formal Barn? Is it possible?

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