11 Clever Ways to Elevate Your Barn Wedding

Use the Ceiling Height

sterling social barn weddings
Braedon Photography

"Hang gorgeous crystal chandeliers from the ceiling of the barn to create an interesting design moment and draw guests' eyes up. This will make for a stunning backdrop to your photos!"—Erin Sprinkel, co-owner, Sterling Social

01 of 10

Set the Tone With Your Stationery

Barn wedding
Allan Zepeda Photography

"Bring your rustic setting into your stationery design pairing rustic barn settings and elements with sophisticated design."—Katie Fischer Cohen, CEO and creative director, Katie Fischer Design

02 of 10

Dress It Up

Barn wedding
Charlotte Jenks Lewis

"Barn weddings provide an excellent backdrop for intense décor inside; the use of draping, lighting, and greenery can all be combined to create an elegant atmosphere without looking overdone."—Elizabeth McKellar, owner, The Nouveau Romantics

03 of 10

Make the Space Intimate

Barn wedding
Roey Yohai Photography

"Depending on the barn and your guest size, sometimes a barn can feel cavernous due to high ceilings. Soften the edges by bringing down the ceilings by hanging fabric. This helps with sound/acoustics and makes the room feel more intimate."—Maya Katz, partner, Alimay Events

04 of 10

Don't Be Afraid of Color

barn wedding
Harwell Photography

"Barnwood has a wonderful neutrality; this is your chance to use bold color, soft fabrics, dressmaker details, and lovely tabletop to dress up your affair against a woodsy backdrop. You can work with any shade—from velvety greens to rich pinks—to elevate the otherwise greige environment."—Calder Clark, owner and creative director, Calder Clark

05 of 10

Use The Barn as an Alternative Altar

Barn wedding
Jen Kroll Photography

"Though barn receptions are ever-so-popular at the moment, consider hosting your ceremony inside the barn instead. Consider adding twinkle lights to the ceiling, lining the aisle with candles, and creating a soft structure that will serve as the focal point for your ceremony."—Alicia Caldecott, owner, A Day in May Event Planning & Design

06 of 10

Make the Space Pop with Florals

Barn wedding
Katie Stoops Photography

"Whether you want to keep your design rustic or glam it up, the flowers should complement the space."—Holly Heider Chapple, owner, Holly Heider Chapple Flowers

07 of 10

Elevate Your Food

barn wedding
Susan Stripling

"Forget buffets, BBQ, or family-style meals. Think sashimi starter plates, adding in a cheese course and more contemporary plated dishes."—Xochitl Gonzalez, creative director, AaB Creates

08 of 10

Bring The Outside In

barn wedding
Megan Clouse

"Use an abundance of foliage and tall floral arrangements to evoke the outdoors. For this wedding we draped a canopy full of foliage and lined the aisles with tall arrangements of flowers to bring romance into the space."—Frances Liu, creative director, Charmed Events Group

09 of 10

A Little Bit Country, A Little Bit Rock & Roll

barn wedding kiss
Alisha + Brook

"Reserve your barn for dancing only, it can make for super romantic photos and not make your whole wedding feel too "country" ... You can add beautiful lighting and also be out of the chill if temps drop as the night progresses."—Amy Nichols, owner, Amy Nichols Special Events

10 of 10

Take Advantage of More Than the Barn

barn weddings
Adam Barnes

"Make the most of your rustic setting by utilizing the landscape (and its accessories!) for bridal party photos."—Jen Stiebel, founder, SoCo Events

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