How to ask someone if I can use their property?

Well I am sure some would allow it. But I would not because of the liability. There are no bathrooms in most barns. There is a lot more involved than what you see in a pretty picture.

Come with me with a BUTT LOAD of moolah... and all sorts of legal contracts where YOU take care of everything INCLUDING any mishaps... but to be honest, i don't think it's possible. He/She is the owner of the land. Anything happens, he/she is still liable....

There's a lot involved for someone to let you host an event like that on private property... insurance being the #1 and then other things like:

1) Where are people going to go to the bathroom?

2) Where will they park?

3) What's going to happen if someone steals something? Or damages something? Or gets hurt?

There are tons of other things like this to think about.

Before I would think of approaching someone - you need to have answers to all these crazy scenarios and a plan. And a plan B, C, D, and E.

Why not just find an actual venue that looks like the above? I'm in MD, and there are dozens that look just like that. Insurance, liability, the fact that it's a complete stranger's private residence...I don't think this is a viable idea.

Plus, I imagine an actual barn is being used for that farmer or rancher's livelihood. It's not just sitting there empty and purposeless.

Most barns do not look like that. My besties cousin had her wedding in her parents own barn and I think they spent like $10K-20K to get it to look like that (maybe more)

I would suggest that the stranger knocking on my door look online for people/venues that actually rent out barn space for events because most functioning barns are filled with hay, manure, and sharp pointy objects. They usually smell a little dank and a lot like horse butt.

You might want to actually walk around a barn before taking that course of action...Or look into various corrals, ranches, etc that may have "mock" barnes that are cleaned up nice for events and such.

Thank you for the comments about paperwork.

Being from Louisiana, the smell of a barn is an amazing smell oddly. Both of our families owned barns themselves and would connect with the setting.

Probably shouldn't have posted an example pic. I want a barn with everything in place. (Horse-castrater hanging on the wall and all.)

I've yet to find a realistic Colorado barn venue, but I'll keep searching. Let's say I absolutely cannot find one and it comes down to having it on someone's property. How would I approach them?

As the others have already mentioned, there is a lot more that goes into it than just borrowing the space. You'd need a generator for electricity, port-o-potties for toilets (who wants that on their land?), and likely additional water and electricity for your catering company (a lot of them require this for off-site venues). You will need clean up before AND after the event.

I think if you are really set on approaching a private owner, you will need to have thought about everything that you would possibly have to think of beforehand, and be able to discuss this with them so that they realize you are serious and professional. You will also probably need to get insurance for a) if you damage anything on their property AND b) if someone gets hurt at your wedding. You should have a sample contract drafted that is fair and protects both you and them.

I think you will be hard pressed to find someone who is willing to rent you their private, working farm.

I agree that this would probably be difficult, but here's my suggestion for an approach:

First, contact an event planner or someone else who can provide similar services with a reputable company behind them. Discuss your idea with them and determine what additional considerations need to be in place including legal documents (contracts, insurance, hold harmless agreements, etc.) and services that you would need to coordinate (port-a-pottys, cleaning crews, rented kitchen equipment, etc.). Have them work up a budget to include all these items to ensure this is a feasible path for you.

If you still want to move forward, when you see an appealing property, make a note of where it is located. The event planner can then research who the owner is (this is not always as obvious as it seems) and they can then contact the owner with the proposal. If they are agreeable, you can move forward with contract negotiations.

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I know this probably sounds convoluted, but I think this gives your idea the best shot possible to succeed. If I were approached by an individual, I would probably be less likely to hear them out than a reputable business person that I can research online, etc.

Welcome 2015 sister!!! I would say that depending on whether they are responsible and professional, doesn't appear to be a problem, follow through with the contract, and ask nicely with a good number,'I may do it.