Overview

Weddings are a $72 billion a year business. About 2.3 million couples get married each year. Weddings cost from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands, with the average U.S. wedding costing between $20,000 to $25,000. An outdoor wedding is appealing to couples because it offers a beautiful setting with lawn, trees and flowers, and may be more affordable than traditional ceremony sites.

Hosting weddings is considerable work. Important factors that need to be considered include liability insurance, restroom facilities, staffing, marketing, parking, chairs and tables, an alternative indoor facility such as a barn or pavilion in case of inclement weather, a kitchen for catering and other activities for kids.

 Other Links

• Agricultural Tourism, Small Farm Center, University of California, Davis - This site provides information on managing an operation, a review of agritourism in Great Britain and New England, and a database of agritourism operations.
• Agritainment; Weddings, Reunions, and Organic Dairy Products, Stevinson, California - In this success story, the Azevedo family discusses their alternative enterprise: hosting weddings on their farm.
• Ali'l Kula Lavender, Maui, Hawaii - This 11-acre lavender farm hosts outdoor weddings for parties of up to 120 people.
• Alternative enterprises and agritourism, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), USDA.
• Entertainment Farming and Agri-Tourism, Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas (ATTRA), NCAT, 2004  - This site provides ideas and information on such topics as educational tours, festivals, educational activities, petting zoos, mazes, merchandise to offer, liability and handicap accessibility.
• Orr Family Farm, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma - The Wedding Garden at this farm outside of Oklahoma City offers a unique setting with a gazebo and room to host up to 300 guests.

Links checked January 2010.