How many guests can I invite?
The Barn can seat 150 comfortably – this includes bride/groom and bridal party plus invited guests. It is not a good idea to invite more than 150 thinking they will not join you – everyone loves a Vermont wedding! At times of recent state mandates be prepared to shorten your guest list at any moment based on the ever changing protocol. There is not a minimum capacity to host any event / maximum is 150 unless lowered by mandate.
Due to COVID-19, the VT State mandated gathering maximum for this property is * less than or up to 75 guests including the bridal party but not vendors. This and any/all COVID -19 State gathering requirements are subject to change. (Updated September 17, 2020).
Do you provide staff?
Yes – Boyden Events provides staff members as needed when the Barn is reserved for onsite Ceremony Rehearsal and/or Rehearsal dinner, welcome party. Day of wedding assistance is provided by Boyden Events staff members to assist in vendor arrival, parking guests, pre & post ceremony property assistance. Boyden Events staff are on site to assist your hired vendors as needed until their exit.
Wedding & Event Coordinators:
As added assurance that your celebration is orchestrated to the very highest degree, you are required to select one of the wedding or event coordinators from our preferred Vendor Collection. Please reference the Vendor Collection and list of coordinators for assistance with planning from start to finish or immediately prior to your reservation date at Boyden Farm.
Do we need additional insurance?
Additional insurance is not required however it is highly recommended. Day of or additional days of liability insurance is recommended for yourselves as a protective layer of financial or other stability 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 or online companies with wedding day packages.
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 are responsible for clearing tables, taking out the trash, leaving the Barn and kitchen or bar areas they used the way they found them – clean and mopped. Designate someone to take all cards, gifts and valuables at exit on the wedding night. 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 love story with 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.
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.
Linens:
We do not require linens on the guest tables. If your plans include linens, you are welcome to rent them or inquire with your caterer. Often, caterers have access to or provide linens. Table runners are popular – keep in mind the bottom surface of your centerpiece. If it is sharp in any way, you will want 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 will want 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 Farm 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:
The fire code does not allow any lit candles inside the Barn. Outdoors at the patio is fine. This includes unity candles or religious candles of any kind.
Firepit:
Boyden Events staff will light the fire if you have instructed us to in advance. Boyden Farm will provide all firewood and will monitor the fire.
Does the Barn have heat or air?
Yes! Boyden Events added a state-of-the-art HVAC system in 2020. This system is intended to reduce the everchanging temperatures of Vermont. Please keep in mind the space is a historic hayloft therefore the HVAC system will be an improvement within the historically restored building.
Can I bring my dog?
Only with special permission and advance notification can you bring your dog. Your dog may arrive for photos, although you should have someone who can take it home/elsewhere once cocktail hour begins. Many of us have a dog that is a special friend but at a wedding, dogs add a whole different element of care to the property and event. 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.
What time should I have the ceremony?
A 3:00 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 or lost. 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.
Can I bring my own alcoholic beverages?
At Boyden Farm, we require you to hire a bar service who is licensed by the State of Vermont. Some food caterers also provide bar service. If the food caterer you have hired does not provide bar service Boyden Events, LLC would ask you to choose from (in no particular order) Fluid Bar Service 802.233.5928 or Tru Spirits Bar Service 802.324.2333 or Bevo Bar Catering 802.448.3230 If the food caterer you have hired provides bar please use their combined services. Never are alcoholic beverages allowed in the parking field – personal or from the bar service. No personal alcoholic beverages are allowed in the Barn or on site anywhere. Bar Services hold state permits and liability insurance to serve you and your guests. Any outside alcohol puts their company and your guests at risk. Violators will be asked to leave the property.
Where are the outlets in the Barn?
Outlets run along the exterior walls of the seating areas and dance floor areas of the Barn. I have extension cords you may use and there are hooks under the beams to hang/hide extension cords. 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 & ipod hook up. There is wifi available for your device or your dj’s use. The Barn sound system is perfect for lower 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 you or someone in your bridal party is planning a slide show, we do not have a screen for projection and we do not have AV equipment. 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 Farm 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 Farm – there is a Call/Directions/Website ad which is clear and helpful for all.
What if I planned my ceremony 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 we 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. The girls would be downstairs in the dressing room area and come up the stairs, down the center Barn aisle to the waiting groomsmen. If your ceremony is on site and you have reserved the Friday 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 and our bride will decide. If she wants to be outside in a sprinkle of rain that is due to pass quickly, out we go. If she’s too cold and doesn’t want to run through
a snowstorm, we won’t – but it is fun and adds excitement to your love story! 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 preparing for 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 wedding day 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 restrooms, weather or any other needs your guests may have while they are waiting for access to the Barn where the amenities are. 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 until the moment they depart.
* 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 backfield guest parking lot. 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.
Your Property Reservation & Signed Contract:
As other questions arise 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. Cancellations sadly do happen but there are No refunds. If a cancellation is received in ample time for a date to be rebooked, the monies will be available for refund less any amount retained by Boyden Events, LLC. Postponements, reschedules are offered within a two year time frame based on availability. All contractual, pricing or property changes apply to date changes.
The Boyden Family is pleased and honored to host your upcoming celebration! Enjoy your time here at Boyden Farm and create memories to last a lifetime. Remember for most of you this is your first time planning a celebration such as this and navigating these details. No questions are too small, visits too many. Share your thoughts, ideas, and vision with us so that we can assist in any way needed. 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
