Event Booking

If I reserve a date, how much money is due upfront? Do we make monthly installments, or is payment due all at once?

At the time the contract is signed there is a minimum of $3,500 due. The remaining balance is split into even monthly payments up until one month prior to the event date. The total cost of the event rental must be paid one month before the event or the contract may be voided. Payments can be made by paying cash, checks, or credit (with an additional 3% convenience fee). There is a $25 fee for any returned checks. Payments made by check can be mailed to:

The Cupola Barn
N88W35490 Mapleton Rd.
Oconomowoc, WI 53066.

Once my date is reserved, what happens if I need to cancel?

All cancellations or reservation changes must be made in writing. The guest is responsible for verifying that the Cupola Barn, David and Stacey have received their cancellation letter/email. Due to the nature of wedding planning, all payments made to date are non refundable and all outstanding payments will be due immediately. We understand that sometimes it is necessary to change or cancel a reservation, however, should you choose to cancel, we cannot refund any advance payment for a canceled reservation unless Cupola Barn has re-rented the contracted date with another wedding or similar event and the entire payment has cleared. Refunds may take 3-6 months. We will make every effort to re-book the barn, however, if it is not re-booked, you forfeit all monies paid. If a cancellation is successfully re-booked with another wedding or similar event, all funds with the exception of the down payment will be returned to the renter. Transferring your booked event to a different date on the calendar is allowed and will be subject to $250.00 administrative fee. 

What is included in my package?

• One-hour rehearsal on Thursday during the week of your event
• Exclusive use of the main barn
• Six open houses each season to revisit the barn and assist with planning needs
• Stunning, secluded outdoor ceremony site overlooking fields and farmland
• Charming cobblestone pathway leading to the ceremony site
• Aesthetic white umbrellas to provide shade or rain coverage over ceremony benches
• “Tool Shed” for the groom and groomsmen to get ready
• Bridal “She Shed” for the bride and bridal party to get ready
• Elegant portable rustic restrooms, including an ADA-accessible stall
• Five acres of scenic landscape for photo opportunities
• Firepit area for s’mores, cigars, and more
• Outdoor fireplace for guests to enjoy
• White and gray benches plus two pre-set rows of chairs for the ceremony
• A mix of 72″ round tables and 8′ x 32″ rectangular wooden dining tables for up to 200 guests
• Table and chair setup and breakdown
• Beautiful silver wood Chiavari chairs for dining
• Six cocktail tables
• Several wooden tables and buffet tables for desserts, gifts, and more
• Use of projector screen
• Use of multiple refrigerators
• On-site parking
• On-site staff to maintain cleanliness throughout your event

Discounts

Active duty Military discounts are available upon request. Only one discount may be used towards your booking total.

Are we able to have a rehearsal at The Cupola Barn?

Thursday rehearsals are included, but not required. Should you find that Thursdays are not ideal, please consider choosing to do an offsite rehearsal to make things easier for your traveling guests. All Saturday weddings will have a scheduled rehearsal time of 4 PM-5 PM. All Friday weddings will have a scheduled rehearsal / setup time of 5:15 PM-7:15 PM. Please wait for your allotted time to enter the barn. For rehearsal dinner recommendations, please click HERE.

Set Up

On the event day, when do we have access to the facilities? What time can we start setting up?

For Friday and Saturday events, your rental includes access to the main venue from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM, with an additional hour provided for vendor and bridal party cleanup. All guests who are not participating in cleanup must depart the premises by 11:00 PM.

For Sunday events, your rental includes access to the main venue from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM, with an additional hour provided for vendor and bridal party cleanup. All guests who are not participating in cleanup must depart the premises by 10:00 PM.

Our staff completes a full professional cleaning prior to each event to ensure the venue is event-ready upon your arrival.

The She Shed and Tool Shed are available from 10:00 AM to 8:30 PM. All personal belongings must be removed from both suites by 8:15 PM. To help ensure a smooth and timely exit, we strongly recommend assigning one or more members of your wedding party to oversee this process. Both suites will be locked promptly at 8:30 PM.

Will you be coordinating the day or do we need to have someone there to make sure the day stays on schedule?

Our staff will make sure the chairs and tables are set up both inside and outside prior to your event. We will also help adjust the layout if a dance floor is needed. We will be available for questions and to help direct guests to the appropriate areas. We are not responsible for keeping the timeline of your event.

We always encourage you to consider a professional coordinator to handle the tiny details. Even the most organized family member or friend does not compare to an experienced professional. Not only does a coordinator help keep your wedding day on schedule, but they also step in to handle any last minute emergencies. Just like food and beverage vendors, we recommend partnering with a coordinator who is familiar with the space. That’s why we have partnered with Forever & Ever Events to provide you with all your wedding management needs. Allyson and her team have coordinated over 100 weddings at Cupola Barn. Let them worry about the minor details so you can focus on what matters most.

Decorations

Are there any restrictions when it comes to decorating?

All decorations must be removed at the end of your event without causing damage to the venue. The use of nails, screws, staples, and tacks is not permitted.

To ensure the venue is properly prepared for the next event, confetti and loose glitter are not allowed as part of decor or in the grand march, as they cannot be fully cleaned between events.

If you plan to toss flower petals down the aisle, only fresh, real petals are permitted. Dried petals are not allowed due to cleanup difficulties. Additionally, light-colored petals only are permitted, as red or dark-colored petals may stain the cobblestone pathway.

Open flames are not permitted anywhere on the property. We recommend using battery-operated candles. Sparklers are not allowed at The Cupola Barn. Per local ordinances, fireworks, fire-lit floating lanterns, and additional string lights (beyond those already installed) are prohibited.

Failure to comply with these guidelines may result in an additional cleanup fee of up to $500.

What size is the greenery behind the head table?

Outside the green: 41″H x 67″W
Inside the green: 22 1/4″H x 48″W

What size is the ceremony arch?

Outside the posts: 8″H x 8″W
Inside the posts: 6’W

Do you offer any decor rentals?

We offer a variety of rentals for behind the head table. You can choose from our standard backdrop free of charge (corrugated steel + greenery border), or choose an upgrade listed below.

• Neon sign featuring one of three phrases: You & Me, Always & Forever, Better Together ($25).
• Curtains + string lights ($50).

What is your recommended table layout?

We use a combination of rectangular and round tables. Shoot us an email and we’ll send over the recommended layout for your wedding size.

What size are the tables?

Our round tables are 72″ and seat 10 people. Our rectangular tables are 8’x32″ and seat 10 people. The head table is 20’x28″ and can fit 14 across the back, however, we can wrap 20 around the entire table if need be.

Do you have any additional tables for us to use for gifts, desserts, etc.?

Yes, we have two wooden farm style tables that are approximately 5’x3′, two wooden barrel tables that are approximately 8’x23” and a buffet that is 2’x6′.  Additionally, you have access to a s’mores table, 3’x5′, and 6 pub tables, 25″x35″. 

Ceremony & Reception

How many guests can you accommodate?

We can accommodate a maximum of 200 guests.

Where can I have my ceremony?

Ceremonies can be held indoors or outdoors, however, we recommend having the ceremony outdoors as we do not have a separate indoor space for the ceremony and reception. If a ceremony is held indoors, guests would be seated at their tables and the walkway becomes your aisle.

What happens if I plan my ceremony outdoors and it rains or is too cold?

Your ceremony can be moved inside, if needed. If a ceremony is held indoors, guests would be seated at their tables and the walkway becomes your aisle. Tents can be brought in or rented from a third party, if needed, however, the town requires a permit for large outdoor tents to be setup. The Cupola Barn is not liable for inclement weather.

Do you have a designated dance floor?

Yes, however, if your guest count is over 130, we typically need at least 20 minutes between dinner and dancing to clear some of the dinner tables for the dance floor.

How late can we play music?

The latest an event’s music can run is 11PM on Friday and Saturday nights and 10PM Sunday through Thursday nights. The owners have the right to have the volume of the music decreased if it is louder than the county allows.

Food & Alcohol

Can I bring in my own alcohol?

No, our liquor license prohibits all outside alcohol. No carry-ins of any kind allowed on the premises – including vehicles. This policy is in place to ensure that we remain in compliance with local regulations and avoid jeopardizing our liquor license. Please note that we will be strictly enforcing this rule. Violators may be subject to a $500 fee or may be asked to leave the premises immediately.

Can I select my own caterer?

While you, as the couple, can pick your own caterer for your special day, it is strongly recommended that you choose a vendor from our preferred list. Any outside caterers who are not on our list must be pre-approved in writing with the venue prior to booking.

All caterers are required to work out of the catering tent staging area that has been provided on site by Cupola Barn. This area includes, working tables, shelving, hand washing station, garbage, recycle and electricity. If you should choose a caterer who has not been here, we will require a site visit from your caterer at least 1 month prior to your wedding day and are happy to meet with them even if you can’t be here. The Cupola Barn does not have a state inspected kitchen, therefore, no food can be prepared at the barn. Catering dishes should be washed off site, and there is no stove available.

Is there a charge to have a food truck onsite?

That depends. Does the food truck need to hook up to electric? If so, there is a $100 electricity fee. If the food truck is self enclosed with their own generator, there is no fee.