Weddings at Turning Stone Farm
Frequently Asked Questions
What do we need to do to reserve Turning Stone Farm for our event?
In order to reserve your date and Turning Stone Farm as your venue, we require a signed agreement and full payment of the venue fee. Additional amenities may be added during the planning process. All payments are nonrefundable. Accepted payment methods include checks, direct deposits, and cash. Credit card payments may be accepted with an additional processing fee.
What is included in the venue site fee?
Our weekend event package includes access to our grounds and historic barn with time the day before, day of event, and day after (see included amenities for detail). We include twinkle lighting throughout the barn as well as cafe lights and solar lights around the grounds; Our custom-made farm tables and chairs (for up to 200 guest) for your indoor-barn reception; Whiskey barrels that can be used for cocktail tables inside or out; A cedar arbor for your ceremony that you can use, decorate, and place wherever you’d like; Furniture for a living room-style lounge area; A portable speaker with wireless microphone for speeches and/or music; and the barn apartment the day and overnight of your event (can be reserved for additional nights as well). You are welcome to decorate the venue with additional decorations but we restrict the use of confetti, glitter, and adhesives. We have many additional amenities, including a campfire or bonfire, and can accommodate almost any request you might have. Please inquire!
What features are on the property?
Our property is very private, located on a rural road, surrounded by fields and woods, and near Caspian Lake. Turning Stone Farm features mountain views, pasture views, an orchard, berry patches, grape arbor, flower and vegetable gardens, wooded lanes, a private courtyard next to the barn, and our beautiful historic 1880s barn at the heart of the property.
What is the history of Turning Stone Farm?
Turning Stone Farm is located on the traditional land of the Abenaki Tribe. It has had continuous farming operations since 1795 and features an 1880s barn, adorned with two cupolas with artistic weathervanes. The barn, which sits atop an older barn that was built around 1815, has been lovingly restored by our family for several decades, and is now home to a small-scale integrated agricultural farm and creative studio. A more extensive history can be viewed on our website.
With use of the grounds can we also host a rehearsal dinner and/or farewell brunch?
Day before: Our weekend package includes time for a ceremony rehearsal as well as welcome drinks or light fare the afternoon/evening before. If you would like to host a formal or longer rehearsal dinner, you are welcome to add additional time. Additional time can also be added for decorating.
Day after: Our weekend package includes time for a farewell send off or light fare the morning after. If you would like to host a formal or longer farewell brunch or any other activity, you are welcome to add additional time.
Do you have a list of preferred vendors?
Yes. We have a list of recommended (but not required) vendors for everything ranging from caterers and bartenders to photographers and florists. For booked events, we are happy to provide additional recommendations for all types of vendors or specific requests. We also offer in-house event planning services or can recommend an event planner. Vendors you have hired are welcome to contact us directly to learn more about our facilities and schedule a site visit.
Can we use a caterer of our choice?
Yes. We offer a list of recommended caterers who know our venue well but you are welcome to choose your own caterer or do it yourselves. To ensure your event runs smoothly, we require any caterer who has not worked at Turning Stone Farm to communicate with us prior to your event and, when possible, we recommend a site visit.
Turning Stone Farm does not have an onsite kitchen but we offer a caterer staging room, with water access from our 150 foot well and basic electric. Additional power needs must be covered by the caterer. Caterers typically set up whatever they need on site, and can rent additional equipment, appliances, or a catering tent as desired (we have a list of recommended rental companies that can provide anything you/they might need). Some caterers have their own food trucks, portable pizza ovens, slow cookers, or the like, and they are welcome to set these up onsite. Please have your caterer contact us to discuss specific needs.
Catering prices are dependent on your caterer and specific requests. Please coordinate with your caterer to rent or provide the linens, dishes, glassware, and flatware of your choosing. If you opt to use disposable dishes and/or flatware, we encourage you to use compostable or natural products.
Who is responsible for ceremony and reception set up, break down, and trash removal?
Turning Stone Farm will arrange the tables and reception chairs in the barn according to an agreed upon layout. Many of the couples who have their wedding at Turning Stone Farm coordinate with their caterer or friends to decorate and arrange tables according to their wishes. We can provide table decoration services for an additional fee.
We provide up to 200 wood chairs so depending on the quantity of guests, our wood chairs can be used for either or both your reception and ceremony (weather permitting). If you wish to use Turning Stone Farm’s wooden chairs for your ceremony (weather permitting), we charge a ceremony chair set up/breakdown fee. You may also opt to rent ceremony chairs.
You or your vendors are responsible for trash, bags, signage, and removal of contents. Turning Stone Farm will charge an additional fee if trash is left on the premises.
Are there indoor spaces available for ceremonies by choice, or in the event of inclement weather?
There are several location options within the barn depending on the number of people you have and your desired ceremony view and reception set up. Ceremonies can be held on the high-drive level which is accessible from both the East and West sides of the property. Additionally, the property can accommodate tent set ups in most any location. Please inquire if you wish to erect a tent.
What is the capacity of the Barn and Property?
Our property can accommodate a wedding of any size. We restrict the capacity of the barn event space to 200 but there is ample space on the property for a tent. Tents may incur an additional fee depending on the size and location you wish to put the tent (the fee will be based on the amount of work needed to prepare the site for your chosen tent).
Is there air conditioning or heat in the barn?
There are no climate controls in the barn. We host events from May through October and the natural climate in the barn is usually very comfortable. Turning Stone Farm’s main venue space is an authentic historic barn and is not insulated. If desired, the barn can be selectively heated using our patio heaters (additional cost per heater).
Do you have a dance floor?
A portion of the barn floor can be used as a dance floor.
Is there a sound system included in the price?
We have a portable speaker with wireless microphone for speeches and/or device hook up for music that you can use throughout the weekend. If you have reserved a band or DJ, they are expected to bring their required sound system.
Our outlets are standard 15-amp outlets and have been sufficient for most bands. Additional power requirements must be discussed.
Amplified music and acoustic music time cut-offs are determined by your contract.
Do you provide floor plans or a grounds map?
Yes. We have an interior barn floor plan with dimensions and we will work with you and/or your planner to come up with a layout that works best for you. We also have a grounds map that you can use for planning the flow of all aspects of your event.
What are the tables like?
We have eighteen 9-foot, six 8-foot, and four 4-foot handmade, custom wood farm tables. All our farm tables are the same width of 44-inches and can be put together to form longer tables or arranged in the barn whatever way you desire.
We also provide 12 whiskey barrels (used to brew Hill Farmstead Beer), which can be used inside or outside for cocktail tables.
Do you have restroom facilities?
The barn apartment, which is included for the day and night of the event, has a toilet that can be used by you, whoever stays in the apartment, and select handicapped or elderly guests.
For the majority of your guests, you would need to rent portable toilets: anything from standard portable toilets to luxury restroom trailers depending on what you’d like to provide for your guests. We provide a list of recommended restroom vendors to meet your needs. We provide cafe lights to the side of the barn for your portable restroom selection. Restroom prices range from $125 and up depending on your selection.
Does your site fee include on-site parking?
Yes. Signage on the road will direct your guests to our event parking area in our pasture. We value your guests safety and permit overnight parking for any guest unable or unfit to safely drive. Guests can return the following morning to retrieve their car. While we do have ample parking available, we recommend your guests carpool with a designated driver, or you provide a shuttle. There are several reliable shuttle services in the area.
Where does a shuttle drop off and pick up people?
We have a looped driveway that shuttles can use to drop off guests in front of the barn, providing them easy walking to your ceremony. Shuttles waiting for guests can rest in the driveway or park in the designated parking area. To eliminate carbon emissions we encourage shuttles not to idle in place for extended periods of time.
How late can we party?
Our site fee includes amplified music until 10:30pm and a celebration end time at 11:00pm. Your celebration can be extended for one or multiple hours for an additional fee. Amplified music can be extended until 11:00pm and acoustic music can be extended later.
What is your alcohol policy?
All alcohol must be served by a properly licensed and insured bar service or caterer. We provide a list of recommended bar service providers that we have pre-approved or you may choose one of your own. If you choose a provider we have not previously approved, we will need to verify their license to serve alcohol in Vermont and sufficient insurance. BYOB is not allowed.
Do you require event insurance?
Wedding hosts must procure a 24-hour event insurance policy that includes coverage for alcohol-related incidents. Although there are a number of such vendors, many of our couples have purchased the insurance quickly and affordably through The Event Helper.
Can we arrive early to decorate?
Our weekend package includes time for you to decorate the barn and grounds the day before your wedding as well as time on your wedding day. Time is also included the morning after your celebration for clean up. Extra time can be purchased for any day.
Can we decorate with candles?
Flameless, battery-powered candles are encouraged. Our barn is a precious historic barn and we take fire safety very seriously. No flame candles are permitted.
Do you welcome families with young children? Do you provide child care?
We welcome guests of all ages but we leave it up to you to invite as you see fit. We have an expansive property and parents/guardians with young children are responsible for watching their children.
We do not have the ability or facilities for child care. All children need to be supervised by an adult. If you would like to offer child care for your guests, we recommend this be offered off-site, with qualified individuals.
Do you allow pets? Can our pet participate in our ceremony?
Turning Stone Farm is pet friendly, and we welcome your pet to participate in your celebration, however, we are unable to accommodate your guest’s pets as well. You are responsible for your pet and for ensuring they are respectful of our property.
Do you offer onsite accommodations? Are there places for people to stay in the area?
Our barn apartment, which is included with the venue, contains a king sized bed and is the only on-site accommodations we offer. This apartment is included day the night of your event and can be rented for additional nights. It is also a good place to get ready.
Our area offers ample local accommodations for all your guests and is a very popular place for people to visit with an array of ample lodging options ranging from local lodges and lakeside camps to B&Bs and camping or glamping. Our accommodations list provides recommendations for unique local stays to larger hotels and motels.
What are your policies around COVID or a comparable occurrence?
While we hope that COVID becomes a distant memory, in the event of a pandemic or comparable occurrence, Turning Stone Farm will abide by Vermont State laws and regulations. In the event of such unforeseen circumstances resulting in Turning Stone Farm’s necessary cancellation, we will work with you to reschedule or issue a refund.
