GENERAL QUESTIONS

What is the rental fee and what does it include?
Our 2024-25 rate starts at $8,000, with a 50% first payment due upon booking and the remaining amount due 120 days before your wedding date. Rental includes use of the barn, adjacent lawn, pasture, wooded ceremony site, suite for getting ready, and parking lot. The property is yours from 12:00 - 9:00pm on Friday, 8:00am - 10:30 pm on Saturday, and 8:00am - 12:00pm on Sunday. Please view our Investment Page for additional pricing information and options for renting the farmhouse. 

How many guests can you accommodate?
The barn can seat 130 guests.

Do you require an event planner? Does Garden Gate provide event planning?
Yes, we require all couples to work with a Day-of-Coordinator, at minimum, to ensure your day runs as smoothly as possible. A wedding coordinator will help bring the vision you have been planning for months (even years!) to fruition while being a trusted line of communication between you, your vendors, and us in the weeks leading up to your wedding and during your event!

Garden Gate is excited to offer day-of coordination! Please check out all the details and pricing here.

What vendors are required?
A licensed and insured caterer/baker/maker must be provided for all food that is to be served during your event, including cocktail hour food, dinner food, and dessert.

An insured bartender is required for all alcohol served during your event. Garden Gate offer Bartending. More information here.

A Day-of Coordinator, at minimum, is required. Garden Gate offers Day-of Coordination. More information here.

Do you require couples to use vendors on your recommended list?
We do not require you to use the preferred vendors on our list, but we do require approval of any vendors not on our list. All catering, bartending, and coordination/planning must be approved by Garden Gate at Haley Farm before you sign a contract.

How late may our event go?
We ask that your bar close and music end by 10pm and guests have left the property by 10:30pm. 10pm is a hard end due to our town ordinance.

Do you provide tables and chairs?
Yes, we do provide 9ft x 3ft farm tables and x-back chairs for up to 130 guests. You will need to rent linens (if you want them), plates, glasses, flatware, etc. for your cocktail and reception.

Do you provide benches for our ceremony?
Yes!  We have benches to accommodate up to 130 guests.

Do you have restrooms in the barn?
Yes! There are two separate restrooms. One has three stalls (including one barrier-free). One has two urinals and one stall (barrier-free) for a total of six bathrooms. There are three sinks that are shared. It’s important to us that the bathrooms are a comfortable and safe space for you and your guests. You have the option to make one or both bathrooms all-gender, and we have various signage to choose from.

Is there a space to get ready?
Yes!  If you are not renting the farmhouse for the weekend, we do have a space for you in the farmhouse to use to get ready and relax on the day of your wedding. It includes a sitting area, space for hair and make-up, and a bathroom. It is located on the second floor of the farmhouse.
View photos of The Wedding Suite here.

Are their on-site accommodations?
Yes!  Our farmhouse sleeps 10 - 14 people, and you may rent it for both Friday and Saturday or just Saturday. You may check-in at 12:00pm on Friday or 8:00am Saturday, depending on your rental period. 
View photos of The Farmhouse here.

Please refer to our accommodations page for additional local suggestions.

How accessible is the property?
We have an ADA compliant ramp entrance on the side of the barn, two barrier-free restrooms located in the barn, easy drop-off and pick-up in front of the barn and farmhouse, and a large grass and gravel pathway leading to our wooded ceremony site. The farmhouse has two small steps and one standard size step to enter the first floor. The wedding suite and both full bathrooms are located on the second floor and only accessible by stairs.

Do we need a tent?
A tent is not required and is not provided, however if you would like to have an alternative option in the event of rain for an outdoor ceremony and cocktail, it is a good option to have. A tent is a great option for additional shade during your outdoor cocktail.  You may also like the idea of dinner under the tent with dancing and dessert in the barn.  

Is there on-site parking?
Yes!  We have space for up to 75 cars in our parking lot, which is a lovely two minute walk through the forest, past our flower field to the farmhouse and barn.

Do we need insurance?
Yes, you must obtain primary liability insurance for $1 million for each occurrence and $2 million for general aggregate.  Cover for the provision of alcohol must also be included (please see next question). We recommend WedSafe for insurance.  

May we supply our own beer, wine, and alcohol?
Yes.  You must obtain host liquor liability insurance for $1 million if it is not provided through your caterer or bar service.  You must hire a professional bar tending service or engage your caterer to serve any alcohol consumed on the property. You may also hire Garden Gate at Haley Farm to provide bar service!

May we hang lights, attach things to the walls of the barn, throw confetti, etc.?
Affixing tape, tacks, staples, or similar devices to the walls or woodwork is not permitted without permission.  Additional damage or cleanup fees may be assessed in the event clean up or repairs are required following an event. Please note that confetti, rice, glitter, and similar thrown objects are prohibited.

May we have fireworks?
No.  Making your own fire pits, fireworks, and fog machines are not permitted.  There is a designated fire pit next to the barn that will be stocked with wood for the night.   Sparkler send-offs and candles on tables are permitted.  Smoking is permitted in the designated area.

Do you provide any props, lawn games, etc.?
Yes, we do!  We have a collection of milk glass vases, easels, escort card and/or favor displays, numerous antique ladders, informational/directional signage, and cornhole.  Please take a look at our current decor inventory here. Looking for something specific?  We can help you find it!

How is waste managed during our event and are we required to remove it after?
Waste management including recycling and composting along with waste removal is included in your rental fee. Beginning in 2023 we are instituting a Zero Plastic Waste policy for all our weddings. This includes no single use plastics like plastic straws, cocktail stirrers, bottled water, plastic cups and serving ware. We do allow Greenware and other compostable materials like bamboo. We will happily work with you to plan a wedding with limited waste and will recommend alternatives to plastic!

Are we required to set-up and break-down our tables, chairs, etc.?
We will have your tables and chairs set-up before your arrival on Friday. We are happy to help you with layout suggestions based on your guest count, how food is being served, etc.    

Are you pet-friendly?
Yes!  We love dogs (we have two rescue mixes ourself!) and welcome them here.  

Are you an inclusive venue?
YES! Garden Gate at Haley Farm celebrates ALL love. All are welcome no matter your race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital, family, pregnancy status, sexual orientation, body size, gender identity, gender expression, veteran or citizenship status. We believe love is love. We support LGBTQIA+ couple’s right to be married. We believe Black Lives Matter. We will support you however you decide to be married and celebrate while here.

Did we miss something?  Please feel free to ask us any questions at gardengatemaine@gmail.com or on our contact page.