The American Saddlebred Capital of the World knows how to throw a barn wedding.
Among Shelby County’s unique wedding venues are six barns – yes, barns turned into beautiful, distinctive and very photogenic backdrops for a wedding to remember.
“Barn weddings appeal to brides and wedding couples because they are rustic and authentic,” said Leon Swarts, owner of Walnut Grove Farm & Lodge. “They are outdoors in the country and are less formal, but no less memorable and beautiful.”
Walnut Grove Farm & Lodge
This 100-acre farm set on gently rolling hills offers wedding couples a venue with ceremony and reception sites, including a barn, plus a four-bedroom lodge with dining room, living room, kitchen and two bathrooms converted from a dairy barn. A rec room with pool table and bar is located on the ground floor of the lodge, along with a laundry room and an additional kitchen and bathroom.
Walnut Grove’s wedding package includes table/chair set-up, ample parking, clean up, trash removal – even one invited guest. That’s because Walnut Grove’s stable resident, Legend, enjoys attending weddings held in the barn; and all the wedding parties love having him.
Legend
Eden Springs Farmstead offers a renovated 200-year-old tobacco barn with concrete floors tucked in the middle of a working cattle and hay farm in Simpsonville. It can accommodate 250 people seated around tables and has a small loft for overflow or for use as a lounge, plus a serving area between the full kitchen and bathrooms. Adding atmosphere are plenty of lighting on dimmers and, located just behind the barn, a 2-acre pond and nearby fire pit. Several locales on the farm can accommodate a tent of any size.
Eden Springs Farm
“Ceremonies take place in the pergola on the edge of the pond with guests seated in the provided church pews,” said Susan Eden, a former school teacher who loves hosting weddings with her husband, Jeff. “We live onsite with our six children in the 1810 farmhouse and are honored to be stewards of this land.
Eden Springs Farm
Another wedding barn venue is located within the nature lover’s paradise that is Red Orchard Park. Red Orchard Barn, one of Wedding Spot’s “Best of 2016” wedding venues, has a tobacco canvas (white draping) plus lighting, 10 picnic tables and a water hydrant located just outside of the barn. Restrooms are also located beside barn.
“The Red Orchard Barn was built in the 1940s and truly carries the rustic farm charm of any bride’s dream,” said Ashley Coulter, administrative assistant for Shelby County Parks. “It is rustic, chic and original – and totally customizable as the Parks Department does not limit any aspect of the dream wedding.”
Red Barn
Chosen two years in a row by international websites as “The Most Gorgeous Place to get Married in Kentucky,” Walnut Way Weddings and Events in Shelbyville is an elegant estate venue with a historic ceremony barn. It is picture-postcard pretty with gardens, Swan Lake and world champion horses grazing in the paddock.
Walnut Way Weddings and Events
This venue has bridal party accommodations, outdoor dining areas and ample parking, and offers the option of historic horse-drawn carriages as part of the wedding package. Wedding couples work with Rachel Vetter, Walnut Way Weddings’ event coordinator, to plan their perfect day.
Wedding Planner
Eden Springs Farmstead, 502-905-4058, edenspringsfarmstead@gmail.com. Wedding packages vary; contact Eden Springs.
Red Orchard Barn, 502-633-5059. Currently there is no availability for 2017.
Walnut Grove Farm, 502-750-0955, leon@walnutgrovefarm.info. The farm is offering a Wedding Special for the months of April, July and November that includes one night free. See details at the website.
Walnut Way Weddings and Events, 502-727-0640, walnutwayweddings@gmail.com. Contact Rachel Vetter for available dates, pricing and policies, or to schedule a visit.
For a list of Shelby County wedding venues, see www.VisitShelbyKy.com/shop-stop-see/Weddings.
Red about wedding traditions, Kentucky style, here.