How to convert your barn into a dream wedding venue

As the Geo Underwriting team heads to the Great Yorkshire Show to celebrate a shared passion for British agriculture with the farming community, we’re pleased to bring some tips that we hope will help farmers to further diversify their business during challenging times.

The rustic wedding trend is here to stay - and for good reason. Under a canopy of twinkling lights set against exposed beams, an alluring barn becomes a fairytale wedding venue.

Couples are increasingly drawn to the charm, privacy and scenic countryside setting that barn venues offer. According to Bridebook, the average cost of a barn wedding venue in 2025, is £11,270.[1] For farmers and barn owners, this presents a golden opportunity – transforming an underused structure into a thriving wedding business.

If your farming clients have ever considered turning a barn into a wedding venue, this guide will walk through the essential steps to make it happen. Please feel free to share these tips with them, and if you’d like to explore quality insurance cover, our Agriculture, Specialist Commercial and Renovation teams are here to offer their expert support.

1. Understand the market potential

Before you start renovations, it’s important to assess the demand in your area. Barn weddings are especially popular in rural and scenic locations, where couples seek a natural, relaxed atmosphere.

Research local wedding trends, visit other venues nearby, speak to local vendors and event planners to gauge interest and see if they have any advice on what they look for when working at a wedding venue.

2. Evaluate your barn’s suitability

A well-converted barn can host dozens of weddings a year, generating significant income – especially during peak wedding season (roughly May to October). However, not every barn is ready to become a wedding venue. Take some time to consider these questions to decide whether your barn has the potential to become the backdrop to someone’s big day.

Ø  Size and layout - How many guests would fit comfortably? Would it have ample space for the ceremony, meal and a dance floor? Could you accommodate a band or DJ? Will you have a marquee with a bigger capacity?

Ø  Structural integrity - Is the building structurally sound? Is the roof intact? Is the floor level?

Ø  Accessibility - Is there enough parking for guests? Is it accessible for guests with disabilities?

Ø  Location - Is it easy to find? Does it have a proper road leading up to the venue, or are there countless potholes? Is there an outdoor area for guests to enjoy on a sunny day? Do you have any scenic backdrops for the wedding photos?

Ø  Amenities - Is there nearby accommodation for the wedding party and guests to stay in?

If your barn ticks most of these boxes, you’re off to a great start.

3. Investigate the legal and regulatory requirements

One of the most important steps is ensuring your barn can legally operate as a wedding venue.

Consult your local council or a planning consultant to discuss how best to navigate the legal landscape. You may need to consider applying for planning permission or a change of use. There may be zoning regulations or noise curfews in place that you weren’t previously aware of. You may need to apply to get the venue licensed to hold civil ceremonies.

You should also speak to your insurance broker to discuss public liability insurance for events.

4. Invest in the infrastructure

Weddings require more than just a beautiful setting – they need reliable infrastructure. You should consider:

Ø  Electricity - Install or upgrade wiring to support lighting and sound systems. Ensure you have ample power sockets to allow flexibility for couples wanting to put sound systems or DJs in different spots around the venue.

Ø  Plumbing – Add plenty of restrooms or connect to a septic system. Portable toilets are an option, but permanent facilities are more appealing. Be sure to factor in restrooms that are accessible, too.

Ø  Heating – Weatherproofing your barn to be a year-round wedding venue is a must. Consider fans and air conditioning units for summer and heaters for winter. It may seem like expensive at the offset, but having the ability to host weddings year-round could mean that you can quickly recoup the cost once established.

Ø  Fire safety – During your discussions with the local council, they will likely advise you of the fire safety equipment and procedures that will need to be in place. As part of this you’ll need to install extinguishers, smoke detectors and make sure all exits are clearly marked.

Ø  Kitchen – If you plan on hosting full day weddings and not simply the receptions, you will need to ensure you have a fully kitted out kitchen. Speak to local caterers to find out what they look for when partnering with a venue. Make sure you have a specific area to keep the cake safe and cool, too. 

5.  Preserve the barn’s character

One of your biggest assets is the barn’s natural charm. Couples love the authenticity of exposed beams and brickwork, weathered wood, and vintage details. Whilst renovating, try to retain the original features that make your venue shine. You can also incorporate reclaimed materials in the renovation to help preserve the barn’s rustic feel.

Don’t be afraid to blend the old with the new. You can still add modern comforts without losing the barn’s soul. It’s just about finding the right balance.

Planning on renovating? We can help to ensure your property is fully protected with our renovation insurance.  [CK1] 

6.  Design with flexibility in mind

A successful wedding venue can accommodate a variety of event styles and sizes to help bring the couple’s vision to life.

Think about things like open floor plans to allow for a variety of different seating arrangements. Gone are the days when weddings follow the traditional round or rectangular table format, in fact, serpentine table are one of the hottest wedding trends for 2025[2]. By designing a flexible venue from the offset, you can be confident that your venue can keep up to date with the latest trends in years to come. 

Decide whether you will offer décor as part of your venue hire, or whether the couple will need to dress the venue fully. As an upsell option, you can offer features like curtains, fairy lights, arches and greenery as part of a package or at an additional cost.

7. Invest in quality lighting and acoustics

Lighting can make or break the atmosphere. Consider uplighting any key architectural features and adding string lights or chandeliers to help create a warm, romantic ambience. Decide whether you want dimmable lights to help smooth the transition between the meal and party.

Top tip: Speak to an established wedding photographer when it comes to picking the lighting for your property. Lighting can be the difference between good photos and great photos, and you’ll need great photos to market your venue to its full potential.

Sound is equally important. The last thing you want during your speeches is poor audio or an echo, so invest in acoustic treatments or work with sound professionals to ensure your PA system is clear.

8. Partner with local vendors

Building relationships with local wedding vendors can make your venue more attractive to couples, strengthen your community ties, and make it easier for you to manage.

Many wedding venues give couples a preferred list of vendors when they come for a viewing. This could include caterers, florists, photographers, videographers, wedding planners, entertainment, the works. These vendors will typically have an established relationship with you and couples will have peace of mind knowing the day should go off with a hitch [CK2] because the suppliers already have knowledge of the facilities.

Speak to wedding planners for advice on what makes a good venue and collaborate with them to host events. Work with them and other local vendors to create styled shoots and open days. 

9. Promote your venue

Once your barn is ready, it’s time to spread the word. We recommend hiring a marketing professional to create an effective strategy to promote your venue, but here are a few top tips to get you started:

• Invest in high-quality images

We mentioned previously that to get bookings, you’ll need great photos to market your wedding venue to its full potential. Weddings can take place in a variety of places nowadays – hotels, churches, castles, stately homes golf courses, restaurants, marquees, outdoors, so it’s not just other barns you’re competing with. You will need high-quality photos that command attention and stop people from scrolling past.

• Build a professional website

Once you have these, you should use them as the foundation of your website. It should be professional and clear. Ensure you include pricing, contact information, the capacity, FAQs and testimonials from previous couples when you have a few weddings under your belt.

Consider getting listed on wedding directories such as Hitched, Bridebook and The Knot to further expand your reach. It’s also worth investigating if your local tourism board has anywhere that you could get listed on too.

• Join social media

Create social media profiles for your wedding venue and share your professional photos. If you are renovating, you might also want to document your renovation journey on social media. Before and after pictures t[CK3] end to do well on social media.

Ask any local vendors that partner with you to tag you in any posts that they share of weddings taking place at your venue.

• Provide great service

Word-of-mouth is powerful in the wedding industry, so focus on delivering a great experience from day one.

10. Offer a unique experience

Finally, think about what makes your venue stand out. Highlighting your unique selling points (USPs) and extras can turn a beautiful barn into a truly unforgettable venue – and justify premium pricing.

Ask yourself:

Ø  Do you offer farm-to-table catering, where couples can include produce from your farm in their celebration?

Ø  Do you have any spots that would be perfect for scenic photo ops, perhaps orchards, hayfields, vintage tractors, highland cows.

Ø  Do you offer on-site accommodation like farm stays, glamping or lodges? If so, ask your broker to speak to a member of our team to learn more about our comprehensive site insurance product[CK4]  on 01702 713 636. 

Consistent with our policy when giving comments and advice on a non-specific basis, we cannot assume legal responsibility for the accuracy of any particular statement. In the case of specific problems, we recommend that professional advice be sought.