Bridal SURVIVAL Guide

guidelines, logisitics, and details

This page is for all of those pesky rules and hopefully to answer questions that you may have logistic-wise like “Can we have sparklers,” “how many farmhouse tables do you have,” or “is there a coffee machine in the guest house.,” plus many many more. For clarity’s sake, I have moved all of our “extra services and rentals” onto a page all of its own called ” A Few Basics” and it is linked below, that includes our floral, Day of Coordinator, Decorating and China packages, Preferred Vendors, and more – check those out too.

All of the Extras Add-ons, Additional Services, and our Preferred Vendors List. Click Here.

Extras like: Bouquets and other florals, Decorating options, China, Glassware, Furniture, Day of Coordinator, and more.

What’s Included
How HPF Accepts Payments
Set-Up, Break Down, Clean-Up
HPF Decorating Packages
HPF Day of Coordinator – Requirement
Final Walk-Through Info
Ceremony Times
Bar & Bartender Guidelines
Decorating Do’s and Don’ts
Ice and Disposables
Rehearsal Dinner Logistics
Preferred Vendors Link
Children
Our Dog Policy
Our Smoking Policy
Bridal Suite
Grooms Prepping Area
On-site Lodging Info
Lodging Info for Guests

furniture pieces Included

Furniture Pieces Available

Wood Cross-Back Chairs
13 Farmhouse Tables
8 Round Convention Tables (that would require linen rentals)
Stationary Whiskey Barrel Bar at Mirror Wall
Stationary Whiskey Barrel Bar at Light Wall
Spool Table as Cake Table
6 High Top Tables (that would require linen rentals)
Dancehall Bar
Stationary Long Barnwood Table on patio (as welcome table)
Stationary Spool Table by Bonfire Pit

Furniture Logistics

Farmhouse Tables can sit up to 8 if laid out individually; 6 if placed butt to butt
Round Tables will need linens; HPF rents linens (120″ rounds – limited supply)
Round Tables seat 8 comfortably but 10 if needed. Try not to seat more than 8 on the rounds when in the center of the barn for best traffic flow.
High Top Tables will need linens; HPF rents linens.
The Buffet Table is approximately 18 feet long and me need some scrunching material by caterer if you have exceptionally drippy foods.
The Farmhouse Tables are not allowed outside due to risk of weather-related damage.

Furniture Layout

During your final walk-through (around one month out from wedding day), HPF will help you figure out your layout, so don’t worry. We have vast experience on furniture placement to fit your needs and good traffic-flow. Here are a few examples of layouts.

Wood Cross-Back Chairs
13 Farmhouse Tables
8 Round Convention Tables (that would require linen rentals)
Stationary Whiskey Barrel Bar at Mirror Wall
Stationary Whiskey Barrel Bar at Light Wall
Spool Table as Cake Table
6 High Top Tables (that would require linen rentals)
Dancehall Bar
Stationary Long Barnwood Table on patio (as welcome table)
Stationary Spool Table by Bonfire Pit

Farmhouse Tables can sit up to 8 if laid out individually; 6 if placed butt to butt
Round Tables will need linens; HPF rents linens (120″ rounds – limited supply)
Round Tables seat 8 comfortably but 10 if needed. Try not to seat more than 8 on the rounds when in the center of the barn for best traffic flow.
High Top Tables will need linens; HPF rents linens.
The Buffet Table is approximately 18 feet long and me need some scrunching material by caterer if you have exceptionally drippy foods.
The Farmhouse Tables are not allowed outside due to risk of weather-related damage.

The barn has its quirky features left over from its authentic history so let HPF help you with your layout. Please don’t plan for more than 6-8 guests on any rounds in the middle of the barn for traffic-flow sake. Farmhouse tables can be arranged butt to butt in long rows or laid out separately. Once your final head count is gathered and you know whether you will need a head table or not, then we can help you create your layout. If you hire the HPF Coordinator Services or the HPF Decorating Packages, we can provide a personalized table design layout.

Follow this Blog Post link to learn information and ideas on setting up your reception furniture layout.

How HPF accepts payments

Cash
Check – Written out to The Barn at High Point Farms
Venmo – Make payments “Among Friends” to avoid acruing a penalty fee. If we are not friends when you book, we will become friends during this process. Connect your Venmo to your bank account to avoid the penalty fee (which we would need to pass onto you later).
ONLY IF NECESSARY: Venmo among friends but connected to your credit card and you agree to accept the additional fees that Venmo assesses towards these payments. Nobody likes to add on extra fees but as a small business we would have to pass these onto you.
ONLY IF NECESSARY: Credit card when you agree to accept the additional fees that the CC company will pass along. Nobody likes to add on extra fees, but as a small business, we would have to pass these onto you with this payment method.

Set Up – Break Down – Clean Up

Furniture Set Up

HPF will set up your furniture pieces for you
Each couple should start with logistical decisions like 1. do I want a sweetheart table or bridal party table, 2. estimated guest count, and 3. will farmhouse tables be separated or combined butt to butt for an elongated effect.
Everything else flows from there
Any “day of” layout changes will require additional staff (and fee)
Linens are included in our HPF Decorating Packages, but if you are a DIY bride, you will be responsible to provide your own linens or rent them from HPF.

Break Down

HPF will be in charge of putting up tables and chairs.

Clean Up

Your catering service is responsible to clean up the Buffet Room, Catering Room, and lightly bus your reception tables after dinner.
HPF has composting bins to collect food waste and paper products.
Your Day of Coordinator should collect any of your personal items into a central location for you/your family to load/oversee.
All food, drink, and personal items should be removed from the Barn Venue wedding night prior to 11:30 PM.
Any remaining food or drink left on Saturday night will be donated or dispersed as we see fit.
HPF will do final clean up and garbage disposal.

HPF will set up your furniture pieces for you
Each couple should start with logistical decisions like 1. do I want a sweetheart table or bridal party table, 2. estimated guest count, and 3. will farmhouse tables be separated or combined butt to butt for an elongated effect.
Everything else flows from there
Any “day of” layout changes will require additional staff (and fee)
Linens are included in our HPF Decorating Packages, but if you are a DIY bride, you will be responsible to provide your own linens or rent them from HPF.

HPF will be in charge of putting up tables and chairs.

Your catering service is responsible to clean up the Buffet Room, Catering Room, and lightly bus your reception tables after dinner.
HPF has composting bins to collect food waste and paper products.
Your Day of Coordinator should collect any of your personal items into a central location for you/your family to load/oversee.
All food, drink, and personal items should be removed from the Barn Venue wedding night prior to 11:30 PM.
Any remaining food or drink left on Saturday night will be donated or dispersed as we see fit.
HPF will do final clean up and garbage disposal.

Day of Coordinator – a requirement

Why Do We Require a Day of Coordinator?

Years of experience has shown us that the key to a wedding running smoothly is that they had a qualified Coordinator to oversee their event. This not only allows your event to be managed while allowing you (and her mom) to enjoy the day, but it does so while knowing that somebody is on top of the hundreds of details throughout the event. A well-meaning friend can often accidentally sabotage your event by not knowing what they should know. We know having a qualified Day of Coordinator is a must so we REQUIRE you to have an experienced one who will be here the full day of your wedding event. Though we prefer couples choose our in-house Coordinator who is familiar with the logistics of the venue requirements and options, we understand that you may have someone else in mind. You are welcome to choose whom you wish. Brides using an outside Coordinator will incur a fee of $250 for an additional HPF staff representative that is familiar with the facility to offer guidance and oversight.

Our Expectations for your Day of Coordinator

The Coordinator should be on-site noon through night’s end.
The Coordinator should oversee your vendors; answer set up questions, make sure they under any guidelines.
The Coordinator should oversee guests concerns
The Coordinator should handle procession.
The Coordinator should keep up with the timeline.
The Coordinator should intercede between Bartender and family over any drinking issues.
The Coordinator should help segregate personal items at night’s end.
The Coordinator should oversee any sparkler send off.

HPF Offers This Service

We know that you need a Day of Coordinator but want to allow you to choose who you want. The duties above are the bare minimum of what we expect from your Coordinator. We feel that you actually need more than the above minimal requirements. We have found, with our 14 years of experience, that most of our brides need more support and guidance early on in the planning process. HPF offers a Planner/Day of Coordinator service that helps with both needs. With have constructed this service from a minimal approach to keep the cost down while giving you the opportunity to add more planning hours to the initial package if your needs and desires want it. This gives you the best of both worlds; some foundational planning guidance to accompany your wedding day needs plus options for more services if desired. For more info on the HPF Planner/Coordinator Service, click this link to our Extras Page then scroll down to the appropriate section.

The Coordinator should be on-site noon through night’s end.
The Coordinator should oversee your vendors; answer set up questions, make sure they under any guidelines.
The Coordinator should oversee guests concerns
The Coordinator should handle procession.
The Coordinator should keep up with the timeline.
The Coordinator should intercede between Bartender and family over any drinking issues.
The Coordinator should help segregate personal items at night’s end.
The Coordinator should oversee any sparkler send off.

final walk-through

When to Schedule It

Aim for 4 weeks ahead of your wedding date. All final balances from any of your extras are due at this point, so this makes a good time to declare what you may want to add-on (plus pay your lingering balance) and get your final layout decisions made.

What To Bring

Preferrably bring your Day of Coordinator, but not required,
A list of all of your vendors, their ETA, their contact info, and their hashtags,
A general timeline that shows ceremony, reception, and send-off times,
A list of any extra services, rentals, or Add-Ons that you may want to include,
List of names/ages of those lodging in each house, if applicable,
Estimated guest count,
Credit Card info to have on file as a Damage Fee/Security fee option in lieu of us holding a fee
Names & ages of any guest that will be lodging on-site, if applicable,
and your final payment.

What to Expect

We will help walk you through you furniture layout design,
Affords you the opportunity to ask any lingering questions,
Generally, it takes less than one hour,

How to Proceed

Contact HPF via email at: [email protected] to schedule the appointment. It is helpful if you offer up several days and time-frame so we can try to accommodate your schedule. We will get you on the calendar and meet up with you.

Preferrably bring your Day of Coordinator, but not required,
A list of all of your vendors, their ETA, their contact info, and their hashtags,
A general timeline that shows ceremony, reception, and send-off times,
A list of any extra services, rentals, or Add-Ons that you may want to include,
List of names/ages of those lodging in each house, if applicable,
Estimated guest count,
Credit Card info to have on file as a Damage Fee/Security fee option in lieu of us holding a fee
Names & ages of any guest that will be lodging on-site, if applicable,
and your final payment.

We will help walk you through you furniture layout design,
Affords you the opportunity to ask any lingering questions,
Generally, it takes less than one hour,

your ceremony time

Cerremony Times May Vary

Ceremony times will vary from season to season. Most of what influences the time of the ceremony is the amount of light factor, the heat factor, and trying to gauge “Golden Hour” for your photos. Follow these guidelines. If your time of ceremony differs from the time frames below, then consult with us.

Ceremony Guidelines

Late March: 4:30 PM
April: 5:00 PM
May: 5:30 or 6 PM
June through Mid-September: 6:00 PM or consider 6:30 PM
Mid-September through Early October: 5:30 PM
Mid-October through Late October: 5:00 PM
Early November through Mid-November: 4:30 PM
Late November through Early December: 4:00 PM

Late March: 4:30 PM
April: 5:00 PM
May: 5:30 or 6 PM
June through Mid-September: 6:00 PM or consider 6:30 PM
Mid-September through Early October: 5:30 PM
Mid-October through Late October: 5:00 PM
Early November through Mid-November: 4:30 PM
Late November through Early December: 4:00 PM

bar, Ice, & bartender guidelines

* We have established new guidelines for this.*

Bar Logistics

We do allow beer, wine, and champagne to be served at your event and for no more than 5 hours.
The bartender serves no more than 5 hours.
Bar must close no later than one-hour prior to Bride/Groom’s exit.
We do allow you to serve up to two signature mixed cocktail drinks during Cocktail Hour that goes beyond beer or wine.
No shots.
The bartender comes with no equipment or utensils besides wine and beer openers.
Any garnishes should be pre-sliced with containers.
Cocktail recipes should be provided for bartenders; bring those at final walk-through.
You are responsible to bring your own drinks (a Costco run, family delivered, or delivered by a local beverage company, etc.).
Guests are not allowed to bring their own drinks.
Lodging guests are not allowed to bring their personal drinks outside of those lodging houses.
All drinks at the venue (barn and the grounds) must be served by the bartender.
Once the drinks are delivered to the venue, they are not to be used by anyone until served by the bartender at cocktail hour.
Over 75 guests, you will need a second bartender. If you are serving one or two specialty cocktail drinks during appetizer hour, you will likely need a second bartender.
Kegs are discouraged due to the extra logistic needs (sufficient sized containers to chill them, rentals of taps, needs for pitchers to serve, etc.) plus there is much waste. Kegs are not allowed at any of our lodging houses.
Ice should be purchased through HPF at $150/one-day or $200/weekend. This is sufficient ice for your caterers, bartenders, and any troughs.
HPF has deep chest freezers and a vintage-style ice box (with scoop) for these ice needs.
HPF has two outside troughs for your water/soda bottles and enough ice in your above order to chill these bottles too.

The Bartender

Bartending staff is only hired through HPF. Let us know at your Final Walk-Through if you need a bartender and how many (and if for both nights, if applicable, for those on the Weekend Package). The cost is $250 per bartender (2024 pricing).

How To Proceed

Contact HPF at least 30 days out from your wedding either by email or for your Final Walk-Through. Confirm with us that you need a bartender, how many you will need, and for which dates. If there are any unusual cocktail recipes, desired garnishes, etc., leave us a print-out of those specifics. Full payment for this ($250 per bartender per night-2024 pricing), it will be added onto your final balance and should be paid promptly at that time. (*All Ice needs are to be purchased through HPF. This, too, can be declared at Final Walk-Through. Ice will be delivered and ready on-site ahead of your event for use by your caterer and your bar needs. Ice is $150/one-day and $200/two-days.)

We do allow beer, wine, and champagne to be served at your event and for no more than 5 hours.
The bartender serves no more than 5 hours.
Bar must close no later than one-hour prior to Bride/Groom’s exit.
We do allow you to serve up to two signature mixed cocktail drinks during Cocktail Hour that goes beyond beer or wine.
No shots.
The bartender comes with no equipment or utensils besides wine and beer openers.
Any garnishes should be pre-sliced with containers.
Cocktail recipes should be provided for bartenders; bring those at final walk-through.
You are responsible to bring your own drinks (a Costco run, family delivered, or delivered by a local beverage company, etc.).
Guests are not allowed to bring their own drinks.
Lodging guests are not allowed to bring their personal drinks outside of those lodging houses.
All drinks at the venue (barn and the grounds) must be served by the bartender.
Once the drinks are delivered to the venue, they are not to be used by anyone until served by the bartender at cocktail hour.
Over 75 guests, you will need a second bartender. If you are serving one or two specialty cocktail drinks during appetizer hour, you will likely need a second bartender.
Kegs are discouraged due to the extra logistic needs (sufficient sized containers to chill them, rentals of taps, needs for pitchers to serve, etc.) plus there is much waste. Kegs are not allowed at any of our lodging houses.
Ice should be purchased through HPF at $150/one-day or $200/weekend. This is sufficient ice for your caterers, bartenders, and any troughs.
HPF has deep chest freezers and a vintage-style ice box (with scoop) for these ice needs.
HPF has two outside troughs for your water/soda bottles and enough ice in your above order to chill these bottles too.

Check out this Blog posted titled “Cocktail – Appetizer Hour Ideas” for helpful ideas.

Decorating Do’s and Don’ts

Guidelines

Do not nail into our walls inside or outside. (Tape is allowed.)
Candlesticks can only be used if sufficient protective material is underneath them to protect our tables from wax spillage.
All votives candles must be incased in glass containers.
No confetti or glitter allowed at the farm or in the houses.
Do not allow children to have markers for any activities.
Sparklers are allowed (the mid-sized length advised) as long as they are away from the barn at least 10 feet. No spent sparklers should be tossed on our grasses.
No “release lanterns” allowed.
Fireworks are only allowed if HPF staff is hired to oversee this process from set-up, execution, and clean-up.
No birdseed or rice allowed for send off. Yes to dried organics or bubbles as long as they are only outside.

REHEARSAL DINNER LOGISTICS

Our Weekend Packages have changed. Check with your Coordinator to answer any logistics and questions depending on which contract you purchased.

Preferred Vendors Link

You are allowed to use whatever vendor you wish. We have now 14 years of experience with many local vendors; some that we are very impressed with and some we are not particularly. We get no compensation by putting these vendors on our Preferred Vendors Link so it is a pure offering to our clients. We highly encourage that you consider these vendors first because of our first-hand experience. Follow this link.

children

Children are welcomed here at the farm. The farm delights children of all ages. Children DO need to be supervised by their parents or babysitter at all times. Unattended children often pick flowers, strip our tree leaves to feed the goats, or climb into our trees or get into our animal enclosures. All of our animals are sweet-natured, but children must be supervised around them for their safety. Do not allow them to risk harm nor incur any damage claims to the newlyweds for any destruction.

our dog policy

Consider First

We love dogs. We have dogs! If having your dog present on your wedding day is important, we want to try to allow it. We do allow you to bring your dog. Question becomes “should you bring your dog?” and this partially be answered by knowing your dog. Some dogs are high maintenance, bark often, nervous around other people and animals, or just require much oversight on any given day. No cats are allowed at all. We do not want your guests to bring their dog unless it is a service animal and totally necessary. Check out this blog about the decision of whether to consider bringing your dog or not on wedding day.

Dog Logistics

Inform us ahead of time
We only allow one dog if you proceed.
Exception: Two dogs are allowed only if they are brought a bit early for photos, always leashed, have a designated handler so not to overly task the couple with extra responsibilities, never taken into the houses, and taken away before the reception.
Dog must be leashed when outside.
Designate an overseer to pick up after the dog (bagging up) poops.
Our Great Pyrenees’s job is to protect the goat herd and horses. Do not get your dog close to our dogs or to goat fences.
Dogs should not be in the houses at all unless a $100 pet fee (per house) is paid upfront.
Dogs are not allowed on the beds (and preferrably not the furniture)
Dogs never allowed in the Treehouse.
Dogs never left unattended.
Your guests are not allowed to bring their dog unless it is a certified support dog.

Our smoking policy

We understand the some people do smoke and will need to smoke while here on the farm. We have a designated area that allows smoking at the firepit for guests but nowhere else. The fire risk of tossed cigarette butts near our barn and grounds will not be tolerated. Fines will be tallied to the contract signee for this threat.

Smoking is allowed at the firepit.
No smoking in the parking lot or other venue areas.
No smoking or vaping or any tobacco products inside any of our houses or buildings.
If you are part of the bridal party prepping at one of the houses, smoke outside and collect your butts in a cup and dispose cup in an outside can only.
Vaping is only allowed at the firepit.
Any indication of smoking or vaping by anyone in any of our houses will result in a $500 fine taken from the bride’s credit card number on file.

Prepping Space at Farmhouse & Guesthouse INFORMATION
for a Classic One-Day Event Package

Details

Depending on your package, you may or may not have access to the Mimi Guest House or Farmhouse. Check with Coordinator if you have a question.
All items must be removed prior to the ceremony. Doors will be locked at 6 PM and staff will gain access to begin clean-up.
There are only 2 parking spaces at each of these houses so most parking should be at the Venue Parking Area.
Do not park on grass near Farmhouse or Guesthouse.
Internet is available at both houses. Info will be on the fridge.
No smoking or vaping in the house.
No pets allowed unless prior notice, pet fee paid, and guidelines established.
Leave house as you found it. Put any garbage in cans.

Treehouse Lodging Information – If Applicable

: Honeyroot Photo and Film

Treehouse

King size bed in loft accessed by spiral staircase
TV Upstairs and on main floor
Internet access
Kitchen with stove and apartment size refrigerator
Private bathroom with shower
Sleeps no more than 2.
Heat/Air

Tree House Logistics

Check-in is 3 PM . Check-Out by 11 AM.
Food and Drink are allowed.
No Smoking or vaping of any kind.
No pets.
Any alcohol in the house can only be consumed in the house; not outside or at the venue/barn.
Heat/Air units have a remote thermostat to control temperature. Always point remote at the unit when changing it.
Parking is by the Pampas Grass near the back of the Farmhouse.
Do not block the thoroughfare around the venue,
No real candles allowed.
Body Wash, handsoap, dishwashing soap, toilet paper, paper-towels, sheets, washcloths, towels are provided.
No personal toiletries provided,
A Keurig coffee-maker and some coffee pods are provided.
The kitchen has basic pots, pans, plates, silverware, and glassware.
The refrigerator does not have an ice maker but does have ice trays.

Tree House Check-Out

1. Leave the house generally as you found it

2. Put all trash in the cans

3. Wash any used dishes

4. Do not strip beds.

5. Place all soiled towels in hamper

6. Do not lock doors upon exiting.

7. Check out is 11 AM on Sunday