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A Step-by-Step Guide to DIY Wedding Planning

Updated: 2 days ago

Rustic Barn Venues Near Me. Bride and groom hold hands on a wooden bridge in a grassy area with leafless trees under a partly cloudy blue sky, creating a romantic scene.

Rustic Barn Venues Near Me. Sign reading "The Old Barns at Dry Run Farms" with address, set in rural field under clear sky, evokes a peaceful countryside mood.

Step 1: Set Your Budget and Stick to It


Your budget will be the foundation of all your decisions. Start by determining how much you can realistically spend on your wedding. Break that amount into categories such as venue, catering, photography, attire, décor, and entertainment.


Pro Tip: Use our online wedding planner to organize and track your expenses. It’s equipped with a budgeting section where you can allocate funds to each category and monitor your spending to ensure you stay on track.


Ohio Chillicothe Wedding Venue Farm. Hands signing a document with green pens on a white counter. Reflection in the mirror, white flowers in vase nearby, formal setting.

Rustic Barn Venues Near Me. Bride adjusts earring, gazes into mirror. Black-and-white setting, wooden ceiling in background. Calm and focused expression.

Step 2: Choose the Perfect Venue


The venue sets the tone for your wedding, making it one of your first and most important decisions. At The Old Barns at Dry Run Farms, our rustic barn setting and customizable packages make it easy to plan your big day. Whether you’re looking for a full weekend experience or a one-day celebration, we offer flexible options to cater to your needs.


When touring venues, consider:


  • Capacity: Does it comfortably fit your guest list? We can accommodate up to 280 guests.

  • Amenities: Does the venue provide essential items like tables, chairs, and décor?

  • Atmosphere: Does it match the vision and theme you have in mind?


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Rustic Barn Venues Near Me. Cozy rustic room with white chairs at a vanity, wood panel walls, round tables with flowers, soft lighting, and a relaxed ambiance.

Rustic Barn Venues Near Me. Rustic barn interior with exposed beams, wooden tables, and a staircase. Warm lighting creates a cozy atmosphere. No people present.

Step 3: Build a Realistic Timeline


Having a clear timeline will keep you organized and ensure that no detail is overlooked. Begin by establishing your wedding date and working backward to create a schedule for tasks such as booking vendors, sending invitations, and finalizing décor.


Our online wedding planner includes a timeline tool that helps you prioritize tasks based on your wedding date. This tool is perfect for short or long-term planning. It ensures that you never miss a deadline.


Rustic Barn Venues Near Me. Cowboy and cowgirl in hats joyfully hold hands against a cloudy sky on a grassy field, with a brown fence and barn behind them.

Ohio Chillicothe Wedding Venue Farm. Wedding invite with roses, pearl-studded shoes, jewelry, and perfume on wooden floor. Soft pink hues create an elegant, romantic mood.

Step 4: Create and Refine Your Guest List


The size of your guest list will impact nearly every aspect of your wedding, from budget to venue choice. Start with a rough draft of everyone you’d like to invite, then refine it based on capacity and your priorities.


Use our guest list tool within the online planner to track RSVPs, dietary restrictions, and seating arrangements. This feature ensures a seamless experience for your guests from start to finish. We also offer a detailed guide to creating your wedding guest list, which you can find here:



Ohio Chillicothe Wedding Venue Farm. Wedding seating chart on an easel and a card box on a barrel. Rustic wooden backdrop. Text includes "find your seat" and "CARDS."

Ohio Chillicothe Wedding Venue Farm. Wedding invitation with floral border, surrounded by pink, yellow, and white roses. Text includes names, date, location in Ohio.

Ohio Chillicothe Wedding Venue Farm. Rustic event space with circular wooden tables set for dinner, featuring white plates, glassware, and floral centerpieces. Neutral decor.

Step 5: Book Your Vendors Early


Key vendors, such as caterers, photographers, florists, and DJs, often book up quickly. Once your venue is secured, prioritize reaching out to the vendors that align with your vision and budget.


Tip: At The Old Barns, we offer an open vendor policy, so you have the freedom to choose professionals that best suit your needs. We also have a list of some of our favorite vendors on our Recommended Vendors page on our website if you are looking for suggestions.


Ohio Chillicothe Wedding Venue Farm. Two-tier naked cake with white frosting, adorned with red, orange, and peach flowers on a glass stand. Rustic wooden background.

Rustic Barn Venues Near Me. Bride in a white gown dances with a man in a black suit outside a rustic wooden barn, creating a joyful and romantic atmosphere.

Step 6: Design Your Wedding Vision


This is where your creativity shines! Think about the theme, color palette, and overall vibe you want to achieve. Whether it’s a cozy rustic barn wedding or a romantic winter celebration, ensure that your décor, attire, and details reflect your style.


Our editable venue layout tool allows you to visualize and plan your decorations, seating arrangements, and overall setup. Experiment with table configurations and décor elements to ensure everything looks as you envision.


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Rustic Barn Venues Near Me. Rustic banquet hall featuring wooden beams, stone fireplace, and tables with greenery. Chairs arranged, "Mr & Mrs" sign on table. Warm ambiance.

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Step 7: Organize Your Wedding Day Schedule


A well-organized schedule ensures a smooth event. Plan key moments like the ceremony, cocktail hour, reception, and speeches with realistic buffers for transitions.


Our online planner includes a wedding day schedule template with best practices and timings to guide you. Whether you’re planning a traditional or non-traditional timeline, it’s easy to customize as needed.


Ohio Chillicothe Wedding Venue Farm. Wedding invitation for Brittany and Oakley with rings, necklace, and bouquet on beige surface. Elegant design with floral accents.

Step 8: Delegate Responsibilities


One of the best ways to reduce stress on your wedding day is to delegate tasks to trusted friends and family members. Assign roles such as:


  • Someone to oversee vendor arrivals and setup.

  • A point person for guest questions or emergencies.

  • Helpers for packing up gifts, décor, and belongings at the end of the night.


Using the to-do list feature in our online planner allows you to assign and track tasks for each person involved, ensuring everyone knows their responsibilities.


Rustic Barn Venues Near Me. Bride in lace gown with veil stands in rustic wooden room, surrounded by three women in formal dresses, creating a joyful atmosphere.

Rustic Barn Venues Near Me. Seven smiling people, including two children, sit on a couch under warm lighting. The background has wooden paneling and a lamp.

Ohio Chillicothe Wedding Venue Farm. Rustic name cards with branch designs on wooden holders are arranged on a dark wooden table. Several names are visible. Neutral tones.

Step 9: Plan for Guest Comfort


As a DIY planner, it’s essential to consider your guests’ experience. Provide clear directions to the venue and ensure there are adequate facilities. Consider small touches like blankets for chilly evenings or fans for warmer days.


The 70-acre property at The Old Barns offers activities and spaces for guests to enjoy, from visiting the Koi pond to relaxing on our four massive swing beds. Be sure to highlight these amenities in your invitations or wedding website. Here's how to handle guest entertainment at our specific rustic barn wedding venue:



Ohio Chillicothe Wedding Venue Farm. Belted Galloway calf and cow grazing in a lush, sunny field with wooden fence and trees in the background. Calm and peaceful scene.

Rustic Barn Venues Near Me. Guests in festive attire dance joyfully at an indoor event. The scene is lively, colorful, with a central focus on dancing and socializing.

Step 10: Create a Packing List


Avoid last-minute panic by compiling a packing list for all the essentials you’ll need on your wedding day. Include items like:


  • Ceremony decorations.

  • Reception décor and centerpieces.

  • Wedding favors.

  • Emergency kits (sewing supplies, stain remover, etc.).

  • Personal items like your marriage license, rings, and vows.


Our online planner’s packing list feature ensures that you won’t forget any details, giving you peace of mind as your big day approaches. Our bride's room also has an emergency kit filled with day-of essentials such as hair spray, band-aids, Advil, a sewing kit, stain remover, and more. There is also a coffee station with k-cups for early morning hair and makeup pick-me-up.


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Step 11: Stay Flexible and Positive


No matter how carefully you plan, unexpected challenges may arise. Stay flexible and focus on the big picture—celebrating your love with the people who matter most.


At The Old Barns, our team is always here to support you. Whether you have questions about logistics or need help with last-minute adjustments, we’re committed to making your day as stress-free as possible.


Ohio Chillicothe Wedding Venue Farm. Bride holding white roses, hugged by groom in suit on a grassy field with hay bales. Both are smiling, conveying a joyful mood.

Ohio Chillicothe Wedding Venue Farm. Candles in glass holders and colorful flowers in vases on a table. Stone wall backdrop creates a serene ambiance.

Step 12: Enjoy the Post-Wedding Wrap-Up


After the celebration, there are still a few final tasks to handle:


  • Send thank-you notes to guests and vendors.

  • Return rented items and settle any outstanding balances.

  • Preserve your dress and other keepsakes.

  • Reflect on your day and cherish the memories!


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Rustic Barn Venues Near Me. A couple dances in a warmly lit barn, the bride in a white gown, the groom in a dark suit; guests chat in the background.

Why Choose The Old Barns at Dry Run Farms?


When you choose our venue, you’re not just booking a space—you’re gaining a partner in planning. Our online wedding planner has been used by many couples to simplify the planning process and reduce the need for costly outside help. With tools for budgeting, scheduling, and seating arrangements, our Ohio wedding planning guide has everything you need at your fingertips.


Planning your own wedding can be a rewarding experience. With the right resources, it doesn’t have to be stressful. Contact us today to learn more about our venue and online planning tools. Let’s create the wedding of your dreams together!



Thank you for stopping by our blog! We hope that you will consider hiring a locally owned wedding venue for your big celebration. Locally owned wedding venues provide the best wedding experience. They tend to have little to no turnover, support the local economy, and are an integral part of the community. In an effort to support locally owned wedding venues, we will feature six small business wedding venues in each of our blogs. Find locally owned wedding venues in the wedding venue map on



 
 
 

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