Your idea of a dream wedding is to gather your family and friends and say your vows in the shadow of an antique looking barn. The trend for this year has been for a rustic, country-style wedding complete with the farm and the fresh air. There are a few things you should know about planning a barn wedding, however, and it's a good idea to plan carefully if you go this route.

Outside Bathrooms

While most farms in the modern era do have outside bathrooms, some do not. If they do, they may not have the septic capacity for your entire guest list. There are a couple of things you can do to solve this problem. You can either rent those portable single bathrooms – this could be a good idea if you are on a budget or your wedding isn't that formal – or you can rent a bathroom trailer. A bathroom trailer is typically more comfortable for those wearing formal wear.

Plan Your Budget Carefully

While barn weddings are beautiful and different than simply renting a banquet hall, they can be more expensive than one. This is due to the fact that pretty much everything will have to be rented and set up. This includes chairs, tables, bathrooms, and basically everything else. If you plan to have both the wedding and your reception at the barn, that will also mean a fairly large staff to set up the ceremony chairs and altar, and then to break that down and set up your reception. You also have to expect to pay an 'estate fee' – which is similar to paying a banquet hall a rental fee – in order to use the property you would like, so budget for that too.

Not All Barns Have Electricity

There are barns that do have electricity that can allow for a few lights to be turned on, but if you want to string lights, have your DJ play music or have a caterer cook on-site, you might have to think about getting a generator. It is a good idea to ask at each farm you check out for their electricity availability and where generators can be set up for your vendors and any lighting.

Smaller Wedding is Better and Don't Forget the Hotel

When having a barn wedding, the smaller the guest list and wedding party, the better. The majority of barns can't hold more than 150 people comfortably. Also, make sure the farm of your choice is in close proximity to hotels that your guests have heard of. You might live in the city and will have to drive a while to get your destination. It is better to have hotels that are large enough to hold everyone who will be staying there, than to have your guests traveling around looking for an open bed and breakfast or small motel in the area.

For more information about holding your wedding in a barn, contact a company like Rolling Meadows Ranch.