Farm or barn wedding venue

Engaged couples and their families, often paying a deposit months or a year ahead.

A venue hire fee per event, often higher on Saturdays in peak season. You can add extras such as chair and table rental, accommodation, a setup day or a preferred-vendor list.

• Organizing and scheduling
• Friendly, calm customer service
• Basic property maintenance
• Marketing and photography

• Zoning and agricultural land rules, which vary a lot by province and municipality, so check before spending money
• Building, fire, septic and washroom requirements for guest numbers, and accessibility
• Alcohol rules: check your provincial regulator about whether you need a licence or whether couples need a special occasion permit
• Commercial general liability insurance, plus event-specific cover for guests
• Short season and weather risk in much of Canada, so plan for a tent or indoor backup and quiet winters
• Noise bylaws and neighbours
• GST/HST registration once revenue passes the small supplier threshold
• Costs depend heavily on what the site already has: the estimate assumes a simple garden, field or existing barn with rented tents and portable washrooms. A full barn conversion with permanent washrooms and septic upgrades can cost far more

Startup costs are typically around $10,000 to $50,000, assuming a simple garden, field or existing barn with rented tents and portable washrooms. A full barn conversion with permanent washrooms and septic upgrades can cost far more.

Check zoning and agricultural land rules, which vary by province and municipality. Also check building, fire, septic, washroom and accessibility requirements, alcohol licence or permit rules, noise bylaws, insurance and GST/HST registration.

Monthly revenue is typically around $2,500 to $12,000, depending on bookings and your hire fees. Plan for at least about 15 hours a week. The season is short and weather-dependent in much of Canada, so plan for quiet winters.