Barn Wedding

Barn Wedding

When it comes to a barn wedding, the more rustic the better! There are many specialized venues in and around San Diego that feature barns in one way or another. Some of these venues are working farms or public gardens. Others are just beautiful historic properties that were converted into great wedding venues. Regardless, if you are seeking a barn wedding, there is something for everyone.

Why Barn Weddings Are Popular

Barn weddings have risen in popularity because they are unique, especially to city folks. When looking for unusual wedding venues, it is exciting to find a large, picturesque barn close to home. Typically, these venues are closely outside of San Diego, like a 30-minute drive away. This gives the feeling of a woodsy destination wedding without straying far from home.

Also, barns tend to be very large, and can accommodate a lot of guests at once. This is especially helpful if you have a large family or a lot of out of town relatives. Given the rise of photo sharing sites such as Pinterest and Instagram, couples are posting their own barn weddings. This serves as inspiration for other brides and grooms!

Finally, many wedding couples are looking for an alternative to the traditional wedding venue. Not all couples are well suited for grand high-rise hotels. Some people want to be surrounded by nature and charming wooden structures. These are the types of couples that are most drawn to having a barn wedding.

Barn Wedding Photography Ideas

If having a barn wedding resonates with you, then we have lots of ideas for your wedding photography. Chances are, the barn is set on a large property that is very charismatic and visually intriguing. As photographers, we put time and energy into scouting the property, and to noting down our favorite and most scenic areas. This is because when we revisit the grounds during the wedding, we will know exactly where to take you.

For example, there could be a bridge and stream near the barn that make for an ideal photo backdrop. If this is the case, we will place you strategically in front for a series of stylized photos. The resulting images will be some of the most memorable of your wedding day, because they made use of the natural surroundings. We will continue with this approach throughout the property. This way, you will have nice images of not just the barn, but across the entire venue.

Not all the photos will be typical or expected. Having a unique barn setting gives us a lot to work with, from a photography perspective. For example, we may have groomsmen stand on bales of hay of differing heights. This plays with perspective in a fun way, and gives the groomsmen the chance to take center stage. Or we may pose our bridal couple near an antique tractor, or a supply shed that has been exposed to the elements. If it is interesting from a photography perspective, it is fair game!

Making Your Barn Wedding A Success

Many barn venues are set up and ready to go; it’s up to you to bring the vendors of your choice and add the finishing touches. Other venues offer all-inclusive packages, and may include services such as catering and event rentals. These are things you will want to ask about early on in the process. If your venue includes bartending service for example, or makes it easily available, then why go searching? Talking with the event team at your barn wedding will provide a lot of insight as to the services that are covered, and the vendors you will want to seek out on your own.

Afternoon barn weddings work well because they give your guests the chance to relax and enjoy the outdoors. If you are on the playful side, you can set up games like cornhole and carnival style booths to entertain the crowd. A bartender serving strong spiked lemonade will help to further enhance the mood. You can even add entertainment such as fiddlers and portrait artists, making more of a celebration.

A Barn Wedding At Night

As the evening sets in, the barn wedding comes to life even more. Inside, set out a hearty buffet spread of meats and seasonal vegetables, giving them a taste of the farm life. This is where your band or DJ will bring the crowd to their feet. A little roots rock or indie folk music pairs nicely with the surroundings, but you can choose any style of music you prefer. You can even go Country if you are so inclined!

Back outside, give your guests space to stretch out and appreciate the open air and moonlight. Hang market lights to further illuminate the night sky. If you can swing it, serve tasty treats such as cotton candy and fresh popped popcorn from a cart. Your guests will be amazed at the capabilities of a barn wedding, and will thank you for the memorable experience!

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