Welcome to Our Blog! We host blissful weddings & special events.
Discover Bliss in the Barn, a historic wedding venue nestled on a family farm in the heart of La Plata, Maryland. Our authentic 1930s tobacco barn has been lovingly preserved to maintain its architectural charm, offering couples a unique setting for their special day.
In this blog, you’ll find wedding inspiration, event planning tips, and behind-the-scenes stories from our farm, Zekiah Ridge Farm and Flowers. We’ll also share details about our seasonal florals, upcoming community events supporting our non-profit, Veterans Bloom, and insights from couples who’ve celebrated their love under our historic beams.
If you're envisioning a rustic wedding venue in Maryland that blends historic charm with timeless elegance, you've come to the right place. Explore all we have to offer!
The Allure of a Rustic Wedding Venue in Maryland
Choosing the right venue is one of the most significant decisions you'll make when planning your wedding. A rustic wedding venue offers a unique blend of natural beauty and historic charm that traditional venues often lack. At Bliss in the Barn, we embody this allure, providing a setting that is both enchanting and adaptable to your unique vision.
Our Rich Southern Maryland History
Our barn's story begins in the 1930s when tobacco farming was a booming cornerstone of Southern Maryland's economy. Constructed with the distinctive features of tobacco barns, it showcases a design optimized for air-curing tobacco—a process that required excellent ventilation and specific structural elements. Unlike modern barns, traditional tobacco barns were built with specialized ventilation systems to control airflow during the curing process. These barns often featured tier poles for hanging tobacco leaves, a characteristic that adds to their unique architectural charm.
Bliss in the Barn is the only authentic tobacco barn in Maryland licensed for events. Built in the late 1930s with dovetail construction, the barn’s design includes doors on all four sides for airflow—a vital feature for drying tobacco. Our barn’s natural and well-maintained dirt floor and historic charm set it apart from pre-engineered event spaces.
Plus, the farm has been in our owner Cindy Bloom's family for more than half a century, and it's her mission to ensure love continues to bloom here!
Transition from Tobacco Farming to a Premier Wedding Venue
In the late 1990s, significant changes impacted tobacco farming in Maryland. In 2001, the state initiated a buyout program to reduce tobacco production, leading many farmers like ourselves to diversify their agricultural practices and repurpose tobacco barns.
Our barn, once a hub for tobacco cultivation, transitioned gracefully into a venue that now hosts joyous wedding celebrations and family gatherings. Today, Bliss in the Barn is part of our working farm that produces a variety of crops, showcasing our commitment to sustainable agriculture and community. While our crops have included corn, soybeans, wheat, and sorghum, it's our seasonal flowers that we're most proud of!
Through Zekiah Ridge Farm and Flowers, we cultivate a variety of blooms that add beauty to our events, in addition to being sold at places like Nick's and the La Plata Farmers Market. We also offer a seasonal Bouquet Club Subscription to support our land.
Why Choose Bliss in the Barn as Your Event Venue?
Authentic Rustic Setting: Our venue retains its original wooden beams and architectural features, offering an authentic rustic ambiance that transports you to a bygone era. It's a beautiful backdrop with flexibility to add your preferred decor!
Versatile Spaces: With a capacity to accommodate up to 200 guests, our barn provides both indoor and outdoor areas suitable for ceremonies, receptions, and various special events. The adjacent field can accommodate any size tent and there are acres of land available for lawn games, parking, and watching the sunset.
Comprehensive Amenities: We offer tables and chairs for up to 100 guests, a charming on-site bridal suite for wedding day preparations, optional fresh floral arrangements from our own Zekiah Ridge Farm & Flowers, and so much more.
Flexibility with Vendors: We understand that everyone has a unique vision for their special day. That's why we allow you to bring your own licensed vendors and alcohol, giving you the freedom to customize your event to your preferences.
Our Traditional Wedding Package
Our Traditional Wedding Package for 2025 offers a comprehensive suite of amenities to ensure your special day is both memorable and seamless. Here's what's included:
Historic Barn Venue: Celebrate in our authentic tobacco barn, accommodating up to 200 guests.
Event Duration: Enjoy a 5-hour event rental with complimentary setup time (2 hours prior).
Rehearsal Access: Benefit from a 1-hour rehearsal the preceding day (subject to availability), with options for additional rehearsal time at $250 per hour (note: rehearsal dinners are not permitted).
Expansive Grounds: Utilize 4 acres surrounding the barn, ideal for ceremonies, receptions, and parking.
Ceremony Arch: An 8’x8’ arch is available, customizable with hanging flower pots, drapery, florals, or a bespoke farm-grown floral design (pricing upon request).
Seating and Tables: We provide chairs and tables for up to 100 guests, with additional rentals available if needed.
Bridal Suite: Access our on-site Bridal Suite for preparations, available 4 hours before the wedding.
Essential Furnishings: Included are a cake table, gift table, buffet tables, and a sweetheart table with bench seating.
Restroom Facilities: Guests have access to a trailered restroom, along with a handicap-accessible portable restroom.
Bar Amenities: A bar equipped with drink tubs is provided, allowing you to supply your own alcohol.
Vendor Flexibility: We offer the flexibility to collaborate with outside vendors, including licensed caterers of your choice.
Additional Décor Options: Enhance your event with on-site décor rentals, such as drapery, bistro lighting, china dinnerware, and more (pricing available upon request).
This package is designed to provide a seamless and personalized experience, ensuring your wedding day at Bliss in the Barn is truly unforgettable. Learn more here 💍
Farm-Fresh Maryland Wedding Florals
Imagine walking down the aisle surrounded by hand-picked florals grown right here on Zekiah Ridge Farm & Flowers, home to Bliss on the Barn. We can offer locally grown, seasonal flowers that add a unique and personal touch to your event. You can also join our Bouquet Club for fresh blooms throughout the season, picked up locally in La Plata.
Our land means the world to us, and the ability to provide the community with fresh-cut flowers allows us to sustain our business during the off-season for outdoor events.
During peak season, our owner and flower farmer, Cindy, can work with you to create custom bouquets and various arrangements for your rustic wedding. Depending on design, bridal bouquets commonly average between $80 and $150. Boutonnieres and corsages typically range from $15 to $25 each. The cost of our floral options may vary based on complexity and flower type. More pricing information available upon request.
🌷 BONUS OFFERING 🌷 With at least 120 days' notice, Cindy can plant and cultivate seasonal native flowers chosen by you for your special day! She’s happy to discuss ideal flowers for Spring, Summer, and Fall, keeping in mind our climate limitations to produce the best flowers. This is a unique offering most venues don’t provide.
Supporting Our Veterans
We are deeply committed to supporting our veterans. Through our nonprofit organization, Veterans Bloom, we host events and partnerships aimed at assisting veterans. Proceeds from our annual Dining at Zekiah Ridge fundraiser—a farm-to-table dinner in the barn—help to fund this initiative. In 2024, Veterans Bloom, in partnership with Leashes of Valor, used proceeds to help provide a service dog to a veteran at no cost to them! We worked with local vendors, hosted a silent auction, enjoyed live music, and came together with our community in honor of a good cause. Donate here.
Our 2025 Annual Dining at Zekiah Ridge farm-to-table fundraiser will take place on Saturday, October 4th. Stay tuned for info on tickets and sponsorships.
Your Dream Rustic Wedding Day Awaits
Bliss in the Barn is not just a venue; it's a testament to Southern Maryland's rich history and a place where new memories are forged. Thank you for exploring Bliss in the Barn, where history meets celebration. We look forward to making your special day as memorable as our barn's journey—from drying tobacco leaves to drying happy tears.
Stay connected with us on social media @blissinthebarn for updates, behind-the-scenes moments, and event inspiration. Questions? Check out our FAQ.
Plan Your Visit - Schedule a Venue Tour!
We invite you to experience the magic of Bliss in the Barn firsthand. ✨
To schedule a tour, please email us at blissinthebarn@gmail.com or call/text Cindy Bliss at 240-882-5003. We also offer virtual tours for your convenience.
Comentarios