Events ⋆ Owls Hoot Barn

NEW to Owls Hoot Barn! We are offering special Elopement Packages and Micro weddings for selected dates with onsite accommodations for 12-24 guests, contact us today to discuss these options~

What’s important to you is important to us, even if that means recommending a different venue for your event! While this may be an odd approach to running a specialty ‘business’, our goal is that everyone we tour at Owls Hoot Barn has a good sense of what their time here will be like. That means we’d love to chat with you about your vision and if we can make it happen we’ll discuss exploring those options.

One driving factor of our clients is a love of the Hudson Valley. For those lucky enough to have been raised here we know how magical the seasons are and year after year we have people coming back to host events even after they have ‘moved away’. For others it’s everything that the Hudson Valley represents that resonates with them and is something they want to share with others. Proximity to the Catskills and Berkshires, major cities like Albany down to New York City, Brooklyn, and beyond boost the appeal to host an event in the Hudson Valley. And we are an easy commute from New Jersey, Long Island, Massachusetts and more!

The best place to start is with the basics of what a typical ‘farm/barn venue’ costs. Average wedding costs come in at around $56K according to a recent The Knot article. While Farm/Barn venues offer a more relaxed atmosphere where couples are looking to have the opportunity to personalize their wedding in ways that are meaningful to them, this could come with a higher price tag than expected so we are pleased to share with our clients that average events of 120 guests usually cost anywhere from $30k – $40k depending on the vendors you select to support your event. Venue, rentals, decor and a private cabin is factored into that at about $15k-$18K depending on the number of guests.

Other factors to consider would be Catering/Bar/Staff (licensed bar with service of hard alcohol), florals, photography, videography, DJ/music, shuttle transportation and event insurance. Now that we’ve outlined the ‘basics’ of most events it’s best to have a discussion about how you can prioritize elements into an overall budget that works for you.

Flexibility is important, as is the ability to enjoy nature and to have indoor and outdoor spaces that can be utilized to create a flow for an event that spans from the early afternoon into the evening.

Now that we’ve shared the ‘average’ we can share how other couples have saved! With the advantage of our included decor items and onsite accommodations for upwards of 30+ guests across a collection of lovely vacation rental homes a DIY couple can bring friends and family in as early as Thursday to help decorate and personalize the space. We believe the option to have so many close family and friends sharing the space with you defines something unique in our offering and creates the right atmosphere to enjoy a more relaxed experience.

Don’t discount a Consultant or Planner to help you as often they will have great connections with vendors and may even be able to negotiate better pricing and who wouldn’t want someone there to run that itinerary!

There are so many little details that make a big difference, but we’ll provide you as much information here to help you along the way. First and foremost, quite simply, the right fit/vibe you get from who you are going into this journey with is critical. What knowledge they have, what are they willing to share, and where they are willing to provide you flexibility and freedom. This is a delicate balance and can make or break your overall experience. After organizing hundreds of events in the ‘barn wedding industry’ creating a space that puts all the missing pieces together to make this process fun, exciting, and inspiring to couples was key. Plain and simple we are renting you a farm that comes complete with everything you need to host a private event. We want you to feel like you are inviting your family and friends to your own farm in upstate Hudson Valley. That experience and the surrounding area are all a part of what makes your event so memorable and so personal.

We try to share our updates on our Instagram and Facebook page.

You are allowed access to the farm starting 2.5 days prior to the date of your event (ie. WED late afternoon for a SAT event)
8 bathrooms in the barn (2 full baths that are accessible needs ready as well)
Interior of the barn accommodates 180 guests as a maximum occupancy. Some clients with numbers over this amount choose the option of utilizing the barn for dancing and a lounge area use the outdoor attached pavilion for alfresco dining…extended cocktail hours have become a great way to save costs, create a fun atmosphere and leave plenty of room for dancing. Smaller weddings will have greater flexibility in how they layout their tables and use of space in the barn. Summer months include central air conditioning. Options for alfresco dining are all around.
Multiple outdoor ceremony sites to choose from all along the creek and fields
We have many decor items that are available for your use: tons of mason jars, candle style wood/metal lanterns, lot’s of vintage ‘stuff’ like suitcases, old books, wood ‘discs’ etc … too much to list…but could easily provide all the decor to personalize your event at no additional cost. Our red and white vintage 1965 Ford pickup truck makes for great for photo opps
Our pavilion is a great space for pre-gathering of guests prior to ceremony so they are not standing in the sun waiting. After the ceremony it’s the perfect spot for the cocktail hour stationary apps and bars. During the evening guests will often enjoy hanging out under the pavilion enjoying the views of moon as it rises sitting under the twinkle lights. Should there be rain, there is no need for a tent as the pavilion is your ‘rain plan’.
Discounted and/or no fee rental items for up to 180 guests include a selection of: handmade wood farmhouse tables, wood french crossback chairs, vintage mismatched china and silver-plated flatware, a selection of glassware and mason jars, vintage wood highboy tables for cocktail hour and a selection of other outdoor ‘furniture’ ( picnic tables, wrought iron lawn furniture and weathered wooden electrical spools). We’ve collected lot’s of various vintage chairs, couches and other furniture to complete the look as you personalize the space with your pictures and other decor.
Weather permitting we run a bonfire during the evening so guests can toast marshmallows or simply hang out by the fire.
A 4 passenger golf cart is available on the day of the event can be used by OHB staffer to shuttle guests needing additional help
Garbage removal is included.
A selection of herbs or wildflowers…as is available and in season.

Go LOCAL and save big!! A list of local vendors is provided to support your event. These vendors know the venue and our area, it is highly recommended you look to them first to support your event.

We can recommend a local transportation company to make coming and going simple for your guests. Major hotels and vacation homes are within minutes of the venue, making your shuttle service easy and efficient!

We run events here May thru October and we typically host one client per week. Ask us about off peak season pricing!

All caterers coming onsite must be Board of Health Approved and we have excellent contacts with many local caterers and restaurants who can easily take care of all your needs for a weekend of activities.

Farm share plots: with pre-planning and discussion you can have ‘in season’ flowers planted specific for your event. This is a very exciting way to bring ‘farm to table’ to life for your tablescapes! Vegetables, herbs and fruit are all growing on the farm. We are happy to discuss options you may be interested in (ie. grow your own raised bed salad greens, cucumbers and tomatoes and serve them at your event).

Updated electric and fire suppression meet NYS required code.

There are several beautiful ceremony sites to choose from, including ‘islands’ out in the back fields that can be accessed by wood bridges. The landscape is rustic with wildflowers, cattails, willows and other natural trees all around…this will not be a ‘highly manicured’ landscape, but we will mow several nice areas around the barns for fun activities you may choose to bring and set up (like horse shoes or bocce etc).

Industrial ceiling fans that serve dual purpose of pushing down heat in the cooler temps and pulling heat up in the summer/hotter temps circulate airflow wherever guests are located. Central AC and additional industrial fans will be included in summer months.

Accommodations in our area: In addition to onsite vacation rentals our neighbor rents her lovely historic stone farmhouse The Bronck Home.

There are several beautiful shops in the Reed Street Historic District. The Yellow Deli, Pilot House Paper, The Reed Street Bottle and Mansion + Reed General Store on historic Reed Street is a great option and just 5 minutes away. The 4 fully equipped studio apartments and spacious and clean, feeling more like loft living in the Village! Walk outside your door to grab breakfast/lunch/dinner and then stroll along the Hudson River.

Other details: We run events here with our neighbors in mind and like to be respectful of the noise level. Amplified music will be suspended by 10pm and most guests enjoy hanging outside under the pavilion or bonfire while they hitch the ride back on the bus. Our local pub, The Cask and Rasher and a few area eateries such as Che Figata are more than happy to have the last bus drop in for late night after parties. And finally don’t forget brunch the next day. All these places and more serve up Sunday mornings with a proper send off for you and your guests. Other great options for dining with breakfasts, lunches, and dinners during your stay can be had at Reds, Chrissy & Tim’s Diner, Paul’s Pizza, Griffins Market, and Pegasus We’ve helped many of our clients to secure the Coxsackie waterfront park on the Hudson River to say goodbyes to guests and enjoy bagels, coffee and OJ together!

Again your arrival to start working on decor in the barn starts on WED late afternoon and ends with you packing out all your things by SUN around noontime. Our season starts in the late spring and ends in the fall and each season comes with it’s own beauty and charm of an old world feel on a small town farm.

We will end by saying the flexibility you have of renting a farm and you having the ability of being on-site with family and friends to manage your personal touches holds significant perks in being well rested on your day versus cramming in too much trying to get everything done in one or even two days! A destination wedding is a great way to start your married life together with friends and family and we hope you will be inspired by our space.

Regards and look forward to hearing from you,

Kerri Corrigan
Owls Hoot Barn, LLC