Wedding Planning Questions

Is The Honey Farm open all year?

The Honey Farm's open season is from April 15 to October 15. We host events or photo shoots throughout the week, and weddings Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

For our 2023 event calendar, Friday and Saturday events have access from 11am to midnight. Sunday events have venue access from 12pm to 10pm. Additional hours can be booked based upon availability and on a case by case basis.

What is the maximum occupancy for The Honey Farm barn?

The Honey Farm has several areas perfectly suited for wedding ceremonies and receptions up to 150 guests.

Specific areas include the pond-side gazebo, the west field (an open field area for tented events), the east field (a more woodland area for ceremonies and/or tented receptions and our gorgeous, original 3,200 square foot barn which can accommodate up to 150 guests.

There is also a large outdoor lighted patio space located adjacent to the barn designed to accommodate your cocktail hour, additional guest seating, a dance floor, a bar, and is a great spot for receptions.

For events OVER 150 guests, please contact us for additional details. We can accommodate larger events; however, a tent, additional tables, chairs, and linens will be required at the renter’s expense.

May we have our ceremony and reception at The Honey Farm?

Of course! We have several beautiful areas perfectly suited for an open ceremony including, but not limited to, a gazebo overlooking the large pond, a grass field area, a patio as well as the main venue barn itself.

Is the barn heated?

The barn is 200 years old and is not air conditioned or heated. However, we do have portable fans and heaters that may be utilized during high temperatures or slightly chilly dates.

Does The Honey Farm have restroom facilities?

The Honey Farm provides a luxury portable restroom trailer for all weddings. This trailer includes flushable toilets, running water, air conditioning, music, toilet paper, paper towels and soap.

Do you offer a bridal/groom suite or place where we can get dressed on-site?

We do offer a bridal suite option if needed for a small party including the bride and a few attendants. Hair and Makeup services are permissible on-site. This area may also be utilized by your photographer for charging batteries and storing equipment during the event. The Honey Farm is not responsible for lost or stolen items stored on the property. We have recently added a grooms suite within our amazing Grain Bin Bar facility which is equipped with lounge area, full length mirror, hanging rack, TV and games.

Do you hold dates?

We wish we could, but we cannot hold dates. We receive multiple requests for tours and bookings each week, and reserved dates go to the first signed contract and reservation retainer received.

How do I book The Honey Farm?

The Honey Farm requires a signed Rental Agreement as well as a non-refundable date retainer equal to 50% of the total rental fee to secure the date on the calendar. Another 25% is due six months before your event date. The remaining balance is due 90 days prior to the event date along with a $500 damage deposit check, which is returned if no damage occurs.

Can we tour The Honey Farm?

Yes! Because The Honey Farm is a privately-owned event center and the owners do not live on the property, we book tours by appointment only. Please contact The Honey Farm to schedule a mutually agreeable time for a guided tour.  Remember that events happen on weekends (in season April 15- October 15) so weekday tours are the most common.

Does your facility have water and/or a kitchen facility?

The Honey Farm does not offer a kitchen facility nor does it have accessible water. Your caterer and bartender will be required to bring their own potable water and ice. We do offer a vendor staging area where vendors may store drinks and ice in a large commercial refrigerator. Vendors are permitted to bring items needing refrigeration the day of the event only. There is hand washing water available in the provided restroom. 

Since we do not have a kitchen, we do not provide any catering services including, but not limited to food, chaffing dishes, serving ware, paper goods, food or drink restocking or distribution, cake cutting and distribution.

Can we use any caterer or bartending service that we want?

You are permitted to bring in any caterer you’d like, but they must be approved by The Honey Farm in advance. Caterers and bartenders must be licensed and insured and proof of such must be provided. Food should be prepared off site and brought in for direct serving to your guests. You must select an approved bartending company with proof of liquor liability insurance from our list.

Over the years we have worked with many caterers and bartenders, and have built a substantial preferred vendor list to help guide you in the right direction. You don’t have to choose vendors off of that list, but just know that they earned their place on that list by working well with our clients and understand the intricacies of the venue.

We’ve heard that many venues charge catering and bar commissions in addition to the venue rental. Does The Honey Farm charge these extra fees?

No, we do not! In fact, it’s a major perk to booking The Honey Farm! We feel this practice is dishonest and ends up costing couples thousands in extra or hidden fees. Our pricing is transparent and honest with everything completely spelled out. We don’t have any hidden fees or charge any vendors a commission or kickback.

The vendors we refer on our list are there for one reason only - YOU! These are the vendors that routinely do a great job at The Honey Farm and make planning easier for our clients.

Can we bring in our own alcohol?

You can provide your own alcohol so long as it is served by a licensed and insured bartender from The Honey Farm’s list of approved bartending companies (many of our recommended caterers also provide barteners). We also have a few other alcohol/bar rules for you and your guests’ safety:

• The bar may be open for service for no more than five hours total. The bar must be completely closed and shut down by 10:30pm with no last call announcement made.

• No kegs or self-serve alcohol can be provided. If you wish to do a champagne wall or something similar, your bartender or caterer must pour it and monitor it.

• Wine coolers and beer cannot be served in glass bottles. Only cans or plastic cups are allowed.

• Signature cocktails must be prepared and served by your licensed bartenders.

• No shots allowed, and alcohol cannot be stored in any of the dressing suites during the event.

• Guests are strictly forbidden from bringing in their own alcohol. That includes having coolers in their car ‘tailgating’ in the parking lot. Guests caught drinking their own alcohol on the property will be asked to stop. If they persist, they will be asked to leave.

How do I use my bonus $1,000* rental credit at Lost and Found Event Rentals?

Our sister company, Lost and Found Event Rentals, specializes in a wide variety of specialty decor items like arches, shelves, lounge groupings, table top accessories, and more! As a bonus to booking your event at The Honey Farm, you are given a $1,000 rental credit. You can select anything from their inventory list, but we do require that your rental order be confirmed at least 30 days prior to the wedding. If you spend beyond the $500, that balance is due 30 days before your event. (Please note that the $1,000 rental credit applies to 2023 events only. 2022 events have a $500 rental credit.)

Can I have my wedding rehearsal at The Honey Farm?

Yes, you can have your wedding rehearsal here. Saturday weddings can have the rehearsal on Fridays and Sunday weddings can have their rehearsal on Thursdays. Not all couples request this option so be sure to have it scheduled with us at least 60 days beforehand and all of this is subject to availability. Holiday weekends are excluded from Friday rehearsals. No alcohol is allowed during rehearsal and there is no ‘rehearsal dinner’ option available without an additional rental fee. We do have a list of great rehearsal dinner spots not far from The Honey Farm to make planning easier.

Can we use any vendor we want?

You are permitted to bring in any* vendor you’d like, but all vendors must be approved by The Honey Farm in advance. Caterers, bartenders, DJs and live bands must be licensed and insured and proof of such must be provided. Food should be prepared off site and brought in for direct serving to your guests. Bartending companies must be selected from our approved list. Florists who are installing florals on any structure are also required to submit their proper insurance proof.

*Sadly, we do have a very tiny list of vendors who are not approved to be at The Honey Farm. This small list exists because at some point in time that vendor became difficult for our clients to work with, doesn’t carry the required licenses/insurance, or has broken rules or caused damage to the property.

Are there any decorating restrictions?

Because we are a historic barn we do have some decorating restrictions. Nothing can be nailed, stapled, taped or glued to any part of the property including the barn, silo bar, fences, etc. In addition, no rice, glitter, birdseed, confetti, bubble machines, fog machines, fireworks (including paper lanterns and smoke bombs), artificial flower petals, balloons, or silly string may be released or thrown on the property.

Can I or my vendors drop off items to The Honey Farm before the event?

If a tent is required, we do permit it to be installed on Thursday before the event and picked up Monday, if there is not an event taking place on Sunday.  All other deliveries must be made during the Friday rehearsal time allocated or on the event date during the allotted time frame. Couples must have all food items removed from the barn the night of the event, but large items may be retrieved the next day between 10:00am - 12:00pm.

What time do you suggest we start the ceremony?

These times are based upon optimal daylight hours and having bar service only available for 5 hours. We suggest starting Friday weddings at 5:00 pm (if you are not seeing each other before the ceremony for photos) or 6:00 p.m. if you are doing all photos before the ceremony. Saturday wedding ceremony between 4:00 - 5:00 pm, and Sunday weddings at 3:00 pm.

What time does the music need to end?

Since your rental time ends at 11:00pm, music shall end no later than 10:30pm. Guests must vacate the property by 11:00pm. Live bands are acceptable; however, The Honey Farm does not provide any audio equipment, extension cords, speakers, mics, extension cords, stage, tent, etc. for their use. Bands are required to set up on the patio or asphalt area only. In the event of inclement weather, a tent will be required at the expense of the Client(s). Any equipment including tables, linens, extension cords, etc. is the responsibility of the musicians or DJs to provide for themselves.

We would like to have our dog as a ring bearer. Is that allowed?

We love dogs, and they can be included for a short time at your event. Whether it’s for photos or for your ceremony, your dog can participate with prior written consent and with the completion of our Pet Care Plan. This plan just ensures that your fur baby is properly taken care of and fits within your wedding day plans.

There will be children at the wedding, do we need a babysitter?

Children are welcome at The Honey Farm, but they must be supervised at all times. We have sixty acres, a pond, farm equipment, and animals on the property, which could cause harm to unsupervised children. You don’t have to have a designated babysitter, but we do ask that you inform your guests with children that they must be supervised at all times for their safety.

We have a lot of out of town guests. Are there hotels nearby?

Yes! The Honey Farm is located on the border of Springboro and Lebanon, Ohio so there are several different areas nearby with hotels, restaurants, and entertainment. Austin Landing (just off of I-75) will have the most selection.

May we leave vehicles overnight?

Yes, locked vehicles may be left in the parking lot overnight, but must be retrieved by 11:00am. The Honey Farm is not responsible for loss or damage to any personal property left at the venue. Please make sure The Honey Farm has a record of the owner of the car with their name and cell phone.