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What to Do Before Booking Your Rustic Barn Wedding Venue

Congratulations on your engagement! As you embark on your wedding planning journey, one of the most exciting steps is choosing the perfect venue. At The Old Barns at Dry Run Farms, we understand that selecting the ideal location for your big day is a crucial decision. To make the process smoother, here’s a helpful guide to what you should do before booking your wedding venue.


Wedding Venue Central Ohio. Bride and groom exchange vows in a rustic venue with stone fireplace, surrounded by guests. Warm lighting, festive decor, and a cozy ambiance.

Establish Your Budget


Setting a clear budget is the first step in narrowing down your venue options. Your venue is likely to be one of your biggest expenses, so understanding what you can afford will help you make an informed decision. Consider your overall wedding budget, including costs for catering, entertainment, flowers, photography, and more, and allocate a portion specifically for the venue. At The Old Barns, we pride ourselves on transparent pricing, so there are no hidden fees or surprises.


Wedding Venue Central Ohio. Wooden table with jars on shelves, flowers in center, and trays of pastries. Two lamps illuminate the setting. Cozy, rustic ambiance.

Wedding Venue Central Ohio. Diamond ring in a velvet box surrounded by vivid orange, red, and yellow flowers, creating a romantic and elegant mood.

Wedding Venue Central Ohio. Elegant rustic table setting with floral centerpieces, candles, and name cards on a wooden table. Warm, inviting ambiance with dim lighting.

Start Planning Your Guest List


The size of your guest list plays a key role in selecting a venue that fits your vision. Do you want an intimate gathering with close family and friends, or are you planning a grand celebration? At The Old Barns, our expansive grounds can comfortably accommodate both small and large guest lists. Whether you're envisioning an outdoor ceremony in our tranquil gardens or a celebration in one of our charming barns, knowing your numbers will help guide your choice.


Wedding Venue Central Ohio. Wedding seating chart on an easel with ornate scroll design. Names are alphabetically listed under table numbers. Background is a wooden interior.

Wedding Venue Central Ohio. A framed sign with a thank-you message beside stacked brown boxes on a shelf. Warm lighting, cozy atmosphere.

Wedding Venue Central Ohio. Table 24 sign with white flowers and gold votive candle on wood table, draped with green fabric. Bright, cozy setting.

Choose Your Date or Season


While you don’t need an exact date set, narrowing down your preferred season or timeframe is important. Our venue offers flexibility for various wedding seasons, but remember that peak seasons, such as spring and fall, often fill up quickly. If you have a specific date in mind, reach out to us early to check availability. Choosing a date that aligns with the season will also help you make the most of our picturesque outdoor spaces.


Wedding Venue Central Ohio. Bride in white gown holding bouquet, and groom in black suit with orange boutonniere, standing in a grassy field with hay bales and trees.

Wedding Venue Central Ohio. A couple embraces on a wooden bridge in a field with dry grass and leafless trees under a clear blue sky. Romantic and serene setting.

Wedding Venue Central Ohio. Bride and groom embrace beneath a large tree in a sunlit park. She wears a white dress, he wears a dark suit. Romantic and serene mood.

Consider Your Venue Style


Think about the atmosphere you want to create for your wedding. Do you imagine a rustic barn wedding, an elegant garden celebration, or a charming outdoor ceremony by a peaceful pond? The Old Barns offers a variety of spaces to match different styles, whether you’re looking for a rustic barn reception or a romantic garden setting for your ceremony.


Wedding Venue Central Ohio. Wooden barn with large windows, stone steps, and black metal benches. Overcast sky, surrounded by greenery, creating a rustic mood.

Wedding Venue Central Ohio. Rustic barn interior with wooden beams, staircase, and dining tables. Warm lighting creates a cozy atmosphere. Circular chandelier above.

Wedding Venue Central Ohio. Rustic barn interior with wooden beams, tables, and chairs. Stone fireplace in the center. "Mr. & Mrs." sign on chairs, warm lighting.

Think About Location


Consider how far your venue is from home or if you're planning a destination wedding. If many of your guests will be traveling, you’ll need to factor in lodging and transportation. The Old Barns is conveniently located just outside Columbus, Ohio, making it easy for guests to access, with nearby accommodations for those staying overnight. Even more convenient, we offer lodging for up to 22 people on property in our two repurposed barn homes. The Carpenter Barn can sleep 10-12 and boasts an in-ground pool and hot tub. The Justice Barn sleeps up to 10 and also has a hot tub. Coming this summer, we also will have a historic 1816 reconstructed log cabin just for the bride & groom on wedding night.


Wedding Venue Central Ohio. A rustic barn with a gray roof sits behind a wooden fence on a green field, with a windmill in the background under a cloudy sky.

Wedding Venue Central Ohio. Rustic barn with wooden siding and metal roof, patio furniture, swing on porch, gravel path, sunset sky, and fields in the background.

Wedding Venue Central Ohio. Rustic wooden house at sunset with a porch, surrounded by a garden, trees, and rocks. Warm glow from windows enhances calm atmosphere.

Research Venue Capacity


It’s essential to ensure the venue you choose can comfortably accommodate your guest list. Our venue can host groups of up to 280 when utilizing the upper level overlooking the dance floor. At The Old Barns, we offer plenty of flexibility, with both indoor and outdoor spaces available. Whether you’re hosting a small gathering or a larger celebration, we can cater to your needs while maintaining the charm and intimacy of our venue.


Wedding Venue Central Ohio. Rustic dining room with wooden tables and chairs, exposed beams, barrels, and soft lighting. Large windows reveal a lush outdoor view.

Wedding Venue Central Ohio. Group photo of people in formal attire at an outdoor setting with a wooden structure. Trees in the background, joyful mood, hands raised.

Wedding Venue Central Ohio. A couple poses on a wooden bridge beside a rustic barn and windmill, holding flowers. Sunny day, warm tones set a cozy mood.

Reflect on Your Style


Your venue should reflect your personalities as a couple. If you want a traditional feel, a ballroom might be the right choice. If you're more inclined toward a rustic or outdoor wedding, our farm setting with its barns and open fields might be exactly what you’ve envisioned. Consider the atmosphere you want to create and how the venue can enhance your theme.


Wedding Venue Central Ohio. Champagne bottle, metal bucket, plastic cups, and boutonniere on a counter. Cards read "The Old Barns" and "Groomsmen Boutonniere." Monochrome setting.

Wedding Venue Central Ohio. A rustic wooden table displays a lamp, floral arrangements, framed signs, and gifts. A vintage frame holds a pet photo, creating a cozy vibe.

Wedding Venue Central Ohio. Cozy room with wooden walls, white chairs at a vanity with mirrors, floral decor on tables, and soft lighting creating a warm atmosphere.

Ask the Right Questions


Before booking, make sure to ask essential questions to avoid any surprises. At The Old Barns, we believe in transparency and provide detailed information about everything that’s included in the rental fee, from tables and chairs to linens. It’s also important to inquire about cancellation policies, vendor flexibility, and time limits for your event.


Wedding Venue Central Ohio. A group of people in formal attire pose under a large tree, sipping drinks from cans, with a festive and joyful mood in a grassy outdoor setting.

Planning your wedding should be an exciting and stress-free experience, and choosing The Old Barns at Dry Run Farms can help ensure your big day is everything you’ve dreamed of. By following these steps before booking your rustic barn wedding venue, you’ll be better prepared to find a space that fits your vision, guest list, and budget. Start your journey with us and let us help make your wedding day unforgettable!


 

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, they support the local economy and they are 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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