How many guests can I invite?
The Barn can seat less than and up to 150 guests comfortably. Indoor furniture amenities provided by Boyden Events are based on a maximum of 150 guests. At no fault within the Property Reservation Agreement Contract Boyden Events is required to limit capacity or follow all guidelines under any Vermont State Mandate, Covid related or otherwise.
Can I host a rehearsal dinner or other event onsite?
If you have contracted for a weekend event with Boyden Events dba The Barn at Boyden Farm, you can host a rehearsal dinner, welcome party or farewell brunch. There is not full cleaning provided in between each event other than tidy up, trash removal, etc. If your rehearsal dinner/welcome party, breakfast or other event is greater than 30 people, a caterer and bar service is required. Speak with a Boyden Events property manager to arrange these plans in advance.
Food & Bar Catering:
Our exclusive bar service is Fluid Bar Service for all events 802.233.5928. Fluid’s professional and talented team will be onsite here at The Barn at Boyden Farm for any wedding or non-wedding contracted property reservations. Regardless of whether your food caterer provides bar as well as food, you will contract them for food and Fluid for Bar.
Alcoholic beverages are never allowed in the parking field – personal or from the bar service. No personal alcoholic beverages are allowed in the Barn or on site. Bar Services hold state permits and liability insurance to serve you and your guests. Any outside alcohol or drugs puts their company, the property, and your guests at risk.
What times are the contracted Property Use Reservation times?
If you have contracted for a weekend event with Boyden Events dba The Barn at Boyden Farm, you and/or your vendors can arrive the day prior at 9:00 am or later for your event set up. The main contracted event day begins with vendor arrivals at 9:00 am or later and ends with guest departure no later than 11:00 pm. Music is required to end no later than 10:30 pm out of noise consideration for the community. Vendors have until midnight to pack up on the main event day. The final contracted day ends by 1:00 pm with personal and vendor pack up completed. A Boyden Events Property manager will be onsite during these stated times. Any additional time over & above these stated times will result in additional paid time to the Boyden Events Property Manager from the damage deposit at $30.00 per hour.
Drones:
Drones are popular & offer a beautiful vantage point of your celebration. If you, your photographer, videographer, or a guest have a drone to be used on your reserved date/dates, please contact us in advance to discuss the areas drone usage is/is not permitted.
Do you provide staff?
Yes – Boyden Events provides staff members as needed when the Barn is reserved for any event that requires guest arrival assistance, onsite Ceremony Rehearsal and/or Rehearsal dinner, welcome party. Day of event or wedding assistance is provided by Boyden Events staff members to assist in vendor arrival, parking guests, pre & post event property assistance. Boyden Events staff are on site to assist your hired vendors as needed until their exit at which time the exit inspection will be conducted with regards to the refundable damage deposit.
Wedding & Event Coordinators, Vendors:
As added assurance that your celebration is orchestrated to the very highest degree, if you choose to select one of the wedding or event coordinators from our preferred Vendor Collection or one of your choice please do so. As stated in the Property Reservation Agreement Contract, your hired vendors are responsible for the care and respect of the property, the spaces they are using throughout your event. Boyden Events is not responsible for vendors equipment, rentals, or other items. Damage deposit/ incidental funds will be used for any vendor property damage created at set up, event time or pack up.
Rentals and Tents:
In the case of tent installations at the patio, alternative furniture or rentals being used to replace what is already provided onsite, the removal of and replacement of Boyden amenities will have a service fee starting at $200.00 applied from the damage/incidentals deposit. This pertains to ceremony chairs, patio furniture and indoor reception tables/chairs. Tent installations require our team to remove and replace all patio furniture in preparation for install and dismantle of tents.
Do we need additional insurance?
Additional insurance is required. Day of or additional days of liability insurance is necessary for yourselves as a protective layer of financial or other liability in the case of any unknown or unplanned situation that could arise prior to or during your event. These policies are offered through your personal insurance agency, Travelers Insurance or online companies with event day packages. All policies must be for the entire Property Reservation date/dates of your event. The policy must include alcohol service. It is required to have Boyden Events, LLC + Boyden Farm, LLC listed as additionally insured. You are required to hire only licensed and insured vendors to provide any chosen services to your event – Food/Bar, Music, Floral, Photography, Videography, etc. A copy of their insurance and/or any necessary permits are required to be given to Boyden Events prior to your event date. Additionally insured should always be noted as: Boyden Events, LLC + Boyden Farm, LLC.
What am I responsible for cleaning up?
You are responsible for cleaning up any personal items from decorations that you may have brought into the Barn. Your caterers – food & bar are responsible for keeping property areas tidy throughout the event; clearing tables, taking out the trash, leaving the Barn and kitchen or bar areas they used the way they found them – clean and mopped at exit.
Designate someone to take all cards, gifts and personal valuables at exit on the main event evening. Designate someone to double check the status of the dressing room for rental items (glassware, etc.) food, beverages or any other items that need to be picked up or cleaned up prior to your return the following day. During your reserved property use dates, any time the Barn is unlocked for deliveries, vendor arrival, etc. all items of value should be secured.
Event Décor:
Customize your special event with décor that adds a personal touch to the property. Incorporate your event style and special touches to be shared with your guests. Decorations can be secured throughout the property with zip ties, floral wire, hooks, nails.
*Not to be used are staple guns, tape or any sticky substances, any items that would damage, cause fire, discolor the floors, walls, beams, furniture or be a safety hazard to people. Keep in mind, any carpets, extension cords or hazards to people are an added liability. Additional liability insurance is highly recommended as a precaution to you guests and vendors.
Linens:
We do not require linens on the guest tables, they are as is. If your plans include linens, you are welcome to rent them or inquire with your caterer. Table runners are popular – keep in mind the bottom surface of your centerpiece. If it is sharp in any way, you will need to consider a runner or tablecloth underneath to protect the table. If you are using a slab of wood beneath your centerpiece or garland floral arrangements, you need to consider a runner or tablecloth to protect the tables from scratches, dampness, or water.
* Please remember to check your contracts with other vendors who may require tables or linens – dj, caterer, bar service, etc. If you are using Boyden Barn or other rented banquet tables for any reason – those do require linens which are best if measured to fall to the floor. Check with your caterer or coordinator to be certain any linens used are what you have in mind or provide your own to match the décor you have envisioned. Refer to the Table Talk document which lists available Boyden tables & sizes of linens needed.
Candles & Lit Flame:
The State of Vermont fire code does not allow any candles or lit flame inside or within 6 ft of the Barn. This includes unity candles or religious candles, lighters, or sparklers, paper lanterns of any kind. Due to the fire code our fire pit has been removed for optimal safety of the hayloft Barn and our property.
Smoking:
Smoking is allowed in designated areas only – away from the building on the lower patio. There is no smoking allowed anywhere inside or near the Barn or any other onsite tents or structures. This includes cigarettes, cigars, vaping or smoking of any kind. Boyden Events does not allow drug use of any kind on the premises including cannabis regardless of the state of Vermont or town of Cambridge policies. Kindness and consideration is expected for those smoking near other guests and keeping the grounds clean at designated smoking areas.
Does the Barn have heat or air conditioning?
Yes! Boyden Events added a state-of-the-art HVAC system in 2020. This system is intended to reduce the ever-changing temperatures of Vermont. Please keep in mind the space is a historic hayloft therefore the HVAC system will be an improvement over the current weather within this historically restored building.
Can I bring my dog?
With special permission and advance notification, you may bring your dog. Guests may not have dogs on site at any time throughout the contracted property rental (Friday/Saturday/Sunday). Advance notification for service dogs in attendance is required. Unless service dogs – all other dogs are not allowed in the Barn. Please have a plan for someone to take your dog to your place of lodging or home as soon as the ceremony, photos are finished. By the end of cocktail hour, ceremony dogs should be exiting the property for the remainder of the event. Please keep in mind there are unsafe places on the farm for your dog. It is necessary to keep them leashed and with an adult at all times.
What time should I have my wedding ceremony?
A 3:30 pm or 4:00 pm ceremony is what we normally see. Keep in mind that your guests will begin to arrive at least 1 hour prior to the ceremony to settle in and to feel certain they are not late. All vendors should be unloaded and ready to greet guests at least 1 hour prior. No vendor vehicles should be in front of the Barn by this time. This is important to keep in mind for any onsite first look or bridal party photos, etc. This is important to note if you are having a band – choose a key time for them to arrive, set up, test equipment & settle in without disrupting the ceremony.
Where are the outlets in the Barn?
Outlets run along the exterior walls of the seating areas and dance floor areas of the Barn. Your vendors or set up crew may not tape or place extension cords or wires of any kind along the floor where it could be a safety hazard. These actions are a property liability for yourself and your guests.
Do you have a sound system?
Yes, the barn is equipped with a sound system that has wireless/corded microphone, 6 cd system & phone hook up. There is wifi available for your device or your dj’s use. The Barn sound system is perfect for low level cocktail or dinner music, announcements, toasts but not for louder, dancing party music. The sound peaks out easier than a dj’s and the speakers are not powerful enough for your dj or band to connect to for the dance floor party. Our sound system is a bonus if needed but does not replace hiring a dj or band for your celebration. You will want a dj or music for the dance floor set up as well as cocktail hour outside & any sound needs at the pavilion if your ceremony is on site. If your event includes a slide show, plan accordingly with your dj or BYO equipment.
Where are we celebrating?
Boyden Farm and Boyden Valley Winery share the same property but are owned/operated separately. You are contracted and celebrating at Boyden Farm. Be certain that all your wedding invitations, directions, face book or other social media tags are noted as Boyden Barn or The Barn at Boyden Farm for ease of GPS directions and clarity to guests and vendors. When directing guests be certain they enter at the Boyden Valley Winery drive in Cambridge and follow the farm road down to the Barn for parking. If guests and vendors are directed to Google – Boyden Barn – there is a Call/Directions/Website ad which is clear and helpful for all.
What if I planned my ceremony or event for outdoors & the weather is inclement?
My staff and I or your wedding coordinator are familiar with making changes to the ceremony plan for inclement weather. Depending on the weather it may mean we wait a few minutes for a storm to pass. It may mean we invite guests to take their assigned seats in the Barn and hold the ceremony indoors. With guests seated and the bridal party near the main entrance towards the back of the barn, they can see and hear the ceremony perfectly.
If your ceremony is on site and you have reserved the day prior for rehearsal, we will rehearse for indoors as well as outdoors so everyone is clear as to what may happen in either situation. Ultimately, we want to maximize our time outdoors for the beautiful photos and celebration components. Throughout your wedding plans, keep in mind Vermont’s fickle and ever-changing weather. If you and your vendors are prepared for any weather, we will have an easier time managing anything that comes our way.
What if I don’t want guests in the Barn prior to the ceremony or during cocktail hour?
There are times when your event vision includes moving through each part of the occasion step by step adding an element of surprise for your guests. This is a wonderful touch to your event but please plan accordingly for weather, restrooms, or any other needs your guests may have while they are waiting for access to the Barn where the amenities are located. As noted in the property rental contract portlets will be an additional rental for plans such as this. Part of the property charm is allowing your guests the ease of enjoying all areas as they like throughout your entire event without restriction from the moment they arrive.
* If guests may not enter the Barn upon arrival for any part of your welcome party/rehearsal/cocktail hour you must rent portable restrooms for their use until the reception begins.
Where do we park?
Parking for guests and vendors is in the Barn Guest Parking Field. From the main entrance of the farm drive past the winery, turn right at the sugar house and follow the signs to the guest parking. The road follows along to the left behind the ceremony pavilion – guests needing to be dropped off at the ceremony site or vendors needing closer set up may stop behind the pavilion. No one should drive on the grass without permission. There are a few parking spaces for the caterers at the Barn loading dock area with overflow staff parking in the guest parking field. The main circle drive must remain clear for loading/unloading, bus drop off and pick up or handicap access. Vendors and guests should not park in front of the Barn without permission or handicap vehicle tag. See Property Map for details or check with Boyden Events Property Managers for assistance. Be certain your vendors have ample time to unload and move their vehicles prior to guests or shuttles arriving so as not to be blocking the circle drive drop off area. Guests may leave their cars overnight if they are parked in the Barn Guest Parking Field. They need to be counted on the return shuttle to accommodate for the additional people on buses. They need to have a way to return to the farm the following day to retrieve their vehicles.
Your Property Reservation & Signed Contract:
As other questions arise for you, your invited guests, or your vendors prior to your contracted reservation, revisit your Boyden Events, dba The Barn at Boyden Farm property reservation contract. With open communication between your contracted vendors as well as with the structure of the property, we can move forward with all event details.
The Boyden Family and Boyden Events Team is pleased and honored to host your upcoming occasion! Enjoy your time here at Boyden Farm and create everlasting memories. Share your these any of these important points with your guests as needed. Share your thoughts, ideas, and vision with us so that we can assist in any way. For myself, my staff, and the vendors you have hired – this is what we specialize in. We are here to help and have the best intentions of creating a fabulous celebration!
Sincerely, Lauri Boyden
