Booking a venue is a huge step in your wedding planning. It's also a huge part of the look and feel of your day...and often the most significant portion of your budget. When looking for venues, you want to make sure you cover all your bases, so it's good to ask a lot of questions. In tours and throughout the planning process, I field a lot of questions and I'm happy to do so, because each one clarifies a little piece of the whole venue rental package.

From our own experience, we've put together a pretty long list of questions for you to consider when looking for a venue. Although by no means exhaustive, this list is a starter guide when talking with a site contact or venue coordinator. Check it out and ask away!

RENTAL FEES/AVAILABILITY

• Is my date available? What are the available dates?
• Is there a timeline for booking the date I'm interested in?
• What is the rental fee and what is included in that price? 
• Are any discounts available for off-season or Sunday-Friday dates? 
• What is required to book a date?
• How much is the deposit? Is it refundable?
• Is the deposit a booking fee separate from the rental fee or is it taken off the overall rental fee?
• ​What is the cancellation policy? 
• Are tables, chairs, linens, tables, silverware, and glassware provided or do I need to rent them myself?

SPACE/RULES

• How many people can this location accommodate? 
• Is there more seating available? What does it cost?
• Are there areas for bridal parties to get ready? 
• Is the site and venue handicap accessible?
• Is there a place for coats to be hung (for winter months)?
• ​Is the space heated? Does it have air conditioning? 
• Are there restrooms provided? Indoor or outdoor?
• Is there parking on-site?
• Is there a curfew on events? If so, what time?
• What happens if someone damages something?
• What are the guidelines for alcohol consumption?
• What expectations do you have of my bridal party and guests?
• When are all the remaining costs due?

CEREMONY

• Do you have ceremony spaces available?
• What is the package pricing for a ceremony? 
• Do you provide an officiant or do I need to? 
• Is the ceremony rental separate from the reception rental?
• How many hours do I get for my ceremony?
• What is your weather contingency plan for outdoor ceremonies?
• Is there an on-site coordinator available during my ceremony?
• When can I do my rehearsal?

DECORATING

• When can I decorate? When can my vendors set up? 
• What are your decorating guidelines/restrictions? 
• How much assistance can I get with the setup/décor?
• Do I need to take my decorations out the night of my wedding?
• Do you work with any decorators?
• Can I use a ladder to decorate?

CATERING/BEVERAGE

• Must I use in-house catering or can I hire my own cater?
• What facilities are available to off-site caterers?
• Is there a food and beverage tasting available? Is there an additional charge for this?
• Can I bring in my own dessert items?
• Is there a cake-cutting fee?
• Do you provide the utensils for dessert items or do I need to provide those?
• What are the food and beverage costs per person? What is the tax? Is there a service charge?
• Can I bring in my own beverages or does that need to be provided by the venue?
• Are you licensed to provide alcohol service? If so, is alcohol priced per person? By consumption? Are there additional charges for bar staff?
• Is there a bar minimum that must be met before the conclusion of the event?
• What is the average bar tab for the number of people attending my event?
• What type of dinner service is provided (buffet, family, plated)?
• ​Can you accommodate dietary restrictions? 
• Do you have children's meals available?
• Do you provide bartenders and servers or is there an additional cost for this?
• Can you accommodate a champagne toast and what is the charge for this? 
• Is there a basic beverage service provided with the meal?
• When do I need to have my menu decided and my final numbers to you? 
• Must I clean up after the meal or is staffing provided for that?

VENDORS 

• Do my baker and any other vendors need to be licensed?
• Can I hire my own vendors or must I select from a preferred vendors list?
• Do you have a preferred vendors list?
• Can you recommend vendors for me?

ADDITIONAL ITEMS

• Do you offer on-site coordination? If so, what services are included and is there an additional charge for them? Will the coordinator supervise do on the day of my wedding?
• Do you have signage that I can use to direct my guests or is this something I must provide?
• Can I bring my dog?
• Can you split my bill?
• Can we do my engagement pictures here or can my photographer visit prior to my wedding?
• Can I email you if I have questions, like for how many centerpieces I'll need?
• Will you send me a room design of the space?

INSURANCE/EXPERIENCE

• Does your venue have liability insurance? 
• Do I need to purchase my insurance?
• How many weddings do you do a year and how long have you been doing this?
• What things have gone wrong at past weddings and how have you handled them?
• What do you suggest I do for [insert special request or situation here]? 

If you have questions specific to our venue or if you're looking for more information, I'm always here to help! Visit our bridal site to fill out our information request or email me at morgan@vespermanfarms.com. Looking forward to talking with you!

Sometimes you meet a wedding party who just know how to have fun, and Cassie and Josh's closest friends and family knew how to have it in oodles. This group of people were a blast. From the minute they got to the farm to the last dance, they celebrated the love...and made sure we enjoyed ourselves, too!

Cassie and Josh embraced a lot of barn wedding essentials for their day: casual attire (we love the jeans on the groomsmen!); boots, especially for the bride; bright colors and florals; and an overall easy-going vibe that allowed everyone to cut loose and enjoy themselves to the fullest. 

Photos by Shannon Ready: Photographer.

The delicious cake and cupcakes were made by Mrs. B's Bakery in Boscobel. 

Yellow is always a favorite summer color, and this wedding party was bright and celebratory. 

Congratulations, Cassie and Josh. We hope you keep dancing the nights away!

They say rain on your wedding day is good luck, and Tiffany and Adam had quite a bit of it on theirs. With a forecast of over 10 inches of rain, there was little chance for an outdoor ceremony, so we moved the celebrations completely indoors. This couple took the luck that Mother Nature was giving them with grace and humor, and we didn't need all that rain to tell us that this marriage was going to last a lifetime. 

There was a brief clearing in the weather for some amazing outdoor shots, Along with luck, rain gives us dramatic skies and happy flowers (plus adorable umbrellas), which created stunning photo opportunities for this couple, their family, and their wedding party.

Photos by the amazing Ann Gorgen Photography. 

The romantic color palette was lovely and Tiffany's dress was beautiful, both in original and in miniature.  This mother and daughter duo made all our hearts melt. 

The rain did nothing to dampen spirits indoors, and the party was full of laughter and love. 

And the best part about rain on your wedding day? At the end, you might see a rainbow. Congratulations, Tiffany and Adam!

This past December, we hosted two wedding receptions in the barn. I know what you're thinking: "A winter reception in an old, drafty barn - no way!" But our old barn boards don't just provide a warm backdrop for a wedding. We also have in-floor heating that keeps our guests warm and comfortable, even in this recent cold snap! 

Riley and Michael's wedding was on a day that was downright balmy for December, which was a blessing for guests traveling for the wedding. We had a lot of fun working with this couple, who are wonderfully creative and experimented with room design and decor, creating a cozy and nicely-layered backdrop for their reception of about 160 people. 

They braved the cold and ended the night with an amazing fireworks show and bride/groom send-off that was super fun and super cool. 

Congratulations, Riley and Michael! You guys have quite the "spark" and we were thrilled to be a part of your big day!

Cheryl and Daryl's wedding didn't escape the winter weather - quite a bit of snow fell on their wedding day - but lanterns lit the way for an intimate and lovely reception with some truly kind and fun people. 

How amazing was this winter wonderland cake by the SweetSpot Bakehouse?

Congratulations, Daryl and Cheryl! We so enjoyed working with you and your family and are so happy for you!

We are a new barn that's been made to look old, so we enjoy some of the amenities that traditional venues have, like temperature control and indoor restroom facilities, but we have all the character and vibe of a remodeled barn. 

At Vesperman Farms, you can have both the winter wedding of your dreams and the barn venue you've always wanted. Get in touch with us today by clicking here if a snow-covered farm wonderland is in the cards for you!

Guys, seriously, how amazing is this wedding? Katie and Josh had a gorgeous vision and we loved providing them with the backdrop for their beautiful wedding reception. The soft florals, romantic draping, perfect lighting, and layers of decoration wowed people as they walked through the door. It was a beautiful setting for the start of a beautiful marriage for these two lovebirds.

Photographs by Precious Moments Photography. Decorations by Lueck Weddings.

The florals were done by Country Flowers and Gifts and bakery items were from Take the Cake Desserts. Both added a lot of elegance (and flavor!) to this beautiful wedding. 

Although we enjoy every wedding here on the farm, it always take a special meaning when you know the couple personally. It was wonderful to be part of Katie and Josh's day as their venue, but also as friends happy to share in the love and laughter of the day. 

Couples at the farm definitely take advantage of the sunsets out here, and a beautiful one topped off the evening for these two. 

Congratulations, Katie and Josh. We were so happy to be part of your day!

The donut trend is by no means a new one, but here at the farm, we are able to put our own special twist on what is always a popular alternative to traditional wedding cake. Couples can either cater them in from other vendors, or can choose to go through us for our delicious apple cider donuts. Usually a treat reserved for fall season, these donuts are fast becoming a popular choice for our couples. If you are on the Good Ship Donut, here are a few things you need to know about donuts at weddings in general, and some specific items to consider for our venue in particular!

THE DEETs on the DONUTs

People have loved donuts for years, but the donut wall hit the trends a couple years ago and people haven't looked back.

Presentation style varies, from the stacking to the hanging to the ever-creative donut pegboard. With donuts, couples and bakers can get really creative with their presentation, offering a unique design, flavor, and statement to their wedding desserts.

Here at the farm, we offer a variety of options for flavors: go "traditional" with our tried-and-true apple cider donuts or branch out to chocolate, vanilla, and caramel frosted donuts (decorated with your wedding color scheme in mind).

​We usually stack these delicious treats a mile high, but we work with all brides to help determine the best presentation for the donut of choice and for the unique style and flavor of each wedding decor. 

Congratulations! You're engaged! Now what?

The first thing you should do is not a checklist item: ENJOY THE MOMENT. Take some time to love and be loved. Call family and friends. Craft the perfect Facebook announcement. Take the Instagram photo. Or just keep things a secret and relish this next level of your relationship for a little while. This is a fun time--enjoy it!

Now that you've basked, let's break out that wedding planning binder:

1. SET the TIMELINE
The average engagement is about 15 months, but some weddings happen sooner and some later. Ask yourself what season you'd like to get married in, how long you need to save money, how long you'll need to plan, and what major holidays/family events you'd like to avoid. You don't need to set a specific date, but decide on a range of dates you're interested in to sketch out a timeline for your engagement. 

2. GET SOME INSPO
Picture your fantasy wedding: Big or intimate? Indoors or out? Vintage, modern, rustic, glam? Upscale or casual? Check out Pinterest, look at wedding blogs, check out wedding websites, take inspiration from a favorite movie scene—knowing your style and your vibe will help you with the details (what do those centerpieces look like?) but also give you a big picture plan and help you with your budget and guest list (coming up next). 

3. BUDGET and GUEST LIST PLANNING
Establish your wedding budget and get a sense of your guest list numbers. You and your partner should draw up an invitation list, and then you need to tap your families for theirs. If your family is helping you financially, have a clear and honest discussion about their wedding budget as well as yours. 

Now, money and guests are not often the most comfortable conversations you can have, but they are essential to getting yourself off to the right track. If you're budget-conscious (and most people planning a wedding have to be), you'll want to establish these guidelines right away. If you need some guidelines, the folks over at A Practical Wedding know their stuff. Click here to find some advice, tips to stay on budget, a breakdown of costs for a wedding, and a few sample budgets to help you visualize your wedding day budget. 

Now is also a great time to choose that wedding party and ask them to be a part of your special day!

4. VENUE RENTAL and THE DATE
The next step for most couples is to research, tour, and book their wedding venue and/or ceremony site. The venue is the backdrop for all your wedding photos, where you can draw inspiration, and influences your food and beverage. Take tours with a few places when looking for venues, and run a budget on each of them. Here at Vesperman Farms, we conduct tours every weekend, and as part of our service, we'll even help you with a price estimate so you leave your tour knowing both how you feel about the space, but what you'll roughly pay. You want your venue to cross off as many items on that wish list as possible, from the look to the feel to the food to the price. 

Once you've toured, budgeted, talked, and decided, narrow down that date and book your venue. And congrats! You've gotten a HUGE step of the planning out of the way. 

Not sure what type of wedding you want? Go explore! Try out a few types of venues--you'll know when you find the right place.

Not sure what questions to ask? Check out this exhaustive list of all the things you could and should ask when touring wedding venues. 

Once you've selected a date and booked a venue, make sure to block off those hotel rooms!

5. BOOK the OTHER PLAYERS
Now that you have a date and venue booked, go looking for those other players that make your day: the DJ/musician, the photographer, the baker, the transportation. If you're not sure where to start, ask your venue. Most venues have a preferred or recommended vendor list that they can provide you, solid recommendations to great wedding players. Get all those players into the pot as soon as you can. 

Some people work renting a venue a different way, especially if they have a vendor they really need to work with. If you lock that must-have photographer down to a date, just keep that date forefront when searching for venues. 

People plan their weddings in multiple different ways, and all you need to know is that flexibility, compromise, and quick but careful action are things that all couples must confront when planning a wedding.

6. ALL the DEETS
Now that you have the booking part of the process out of the way, you can really start nailing down some of the details. Talk with your vendors about decorations, music playlists, and timelines. Look for the dress. Rent the tuxes. Buy the wedding favors and the wedding party gifts. There are many details to attend to—you'll keep busy, we promise!  

If you are looking for a complete timeline, the ever-wonderful theknot.com has a great timeline here for you to check out!

Happy planning, y'all!

Elly and Nate were married on July 1 in a sweet ceremony surrounded by their family and friends. These two people are incredibly kind--I loved planning meetings with them because they were so considerate of each other, working together to make decisions they both wanted for their wedding. They have an incredible foundation for marriage and it was a joy to be there for the beginning. 

Photos by the talented Zelora Images.

Fresh, colorful flowers brightened up the barn, beautiful arrangements by Country Crossroads Floral and Gifts. 

What could be a more perfect ending to a beautiful summer wedding than a bonfire? 

Some of our brave couples take a turn on the zip line...it didn't surprise us that Elly and Nate jumped on there!

Congratulations, Elly and Nate, and thank you for choosing us as your wedding venue!

Rene and Brandon were married on a beautiful, if slightly misty, day at the farm in September 2017. We had so much fun with this couple--they are so sweet to each other and to everyone around them, their families kept us laughing all day, and we were so happy to be part of their special day. 

Photos by the amazing Adrianna Joy Photography, LLC.

Decorating with the Carsons had a few barn wedding fall musts: metallic pumpkins, wood circles, burlap, beautiful floral arrangements, and of course, antlers. 

We loved the color scheme of this lovely wedding! And the gorgeous flowers were by Country Flowers and Gifts in Lancaster, WI. 

Every detail of Megan and Birch's wedding left us breathless. Each table was unique, set with intricate, vintage details. The romantic lighting. The dramatic draping. The greenery. The XOXOs. Each detail was carefully thought through and meticulously executed. It was simply gorgeous. 

Photos by Amy Helt Photography

And we can say the same thing of this couple. They were, first of all, fantastic to work with from a creative standpoint, but also just one of those simply elegant couples that give you relationship envy. Add on that they are just two of the nicest people you will ever meet, and you can see why we so enjoyed helping them celebrate their wedding day. 

They also wowed us with their desserts, a ridiculously good looking and delicious selection of donuts from Greenbush Bakery in Madison. Donuts for dessert is a trend that we are fully on board with!

Thank you, Megan and Birch, for choosing us as your wedding venue!