The J. Weaver Barn - Goshen, Indiana

A Rustic and Historic Farm Setting

One of first venues I would like to tell you about is the J Weaver Barn. I had the pleasure of meeting with Elvera Miller who owns and manages this barn, which dates back to 1889, and got its name from an inscription found on the original slate roof. (The roof has since been replaced along with new metal on the outside etc.) With that beloved, traditional, “Old McDonald’s farm” look, this rustic venue packs the full load of country charm. Surrounded by farm fields and blue skies, The barn has been restored inside and out to preserve its original glory, carefully keeping intact favorite barnyard icons; such the old silo which has been beautifully refinished inside, with a crystal chandelier and plenty of mirrors, to serve as a dressing room for the bride and bridesmaids. The milk house has been turned into a dressing room for the groom and groomsmen as well, with convenient hanging space and ample, but maybe not so many mirrored walls as the silo (insert winky face😉)

A Unique Bridal Room: The Old Silo!

One perk about this venue is that, although it has a beautiful setup for outdoor weddings -plenty of green lawn space and a gorgeous gazebo- the barn is equipped with heat and A/C making it a perfect wedding venue option year around. With a basement, a small open loft, and an outdoor deck, as well as the main floor, there is plenty of space indoors for both the wedding ceremony and the reception, and because the basement is partially above ground, it is only several steps down and doesn’t have that awful “lower level in the ground” feel. Although the expansive space of the main floor with its rough sawn beams wrapped in lights and graced with white linen have a perfect ambience, and definitely give the main level a superior elegance, the basement could be made a beautiful space for the ceremony or would be perfect for extra food tables etc. while still leaving the majority of the space open to make guests comfortable at the reception. French doors open to the deck, which makes a perfect photo spot backed by the silo and the sunset.

Creating a Perfect Package...

So finally, to sum up some key features of this venue:

• It is available for use year around and temperature controlled, with plenty of space indoors and out
• It contains amenities such as private bride and groom dressing rooms, and a food warming kitchen
• Linens and vintage items are provided and there are a variety of arches available for use at no extra charge
• They offer extra options such as freestanding double doors available to rent, a horse drawn carriage, and décor service, all at extra charges but with the convenience of simply adding it to your package – it’s all already there! They will even build you a giant campfire if that’s how you's like to celebrate!

In concluding my conversation with Elvera, I asked, “Why should we chose you?” Her answer? “In every area, every way, we are there to help you…period.”

As with any event, details can be stressful…crank that up to 110 percent for weddings!! You’re bound to hit bumps, so it’s seriously important to surround yourself with an excellent shock system. Just being realistic here… no matter how planned ahead and organized you are, you are going to need all the help you can get to make this day go smoothly, and ultimately to allow you to focus on the true purpose and meaning of this day... Taking that next step, and making that commitment to the one you love that will last a lifetime. So, be blessed in this special time of planning and never lose sight of what this day is all about!