Wedding Entertainment 101

Photo provided courtesy of Angelic Angles

I wanted to write a quick "Wedding Entertainment 101" article. Unfortunately, even a "simple" list of entertainment options quickly became waaay too unwieldy for a little introduction article. After several attempts I realized that this sort of "intro has been done by others. Why reinvent the wheel? What I want to do is write about some specific details. So, by way of Wedding Entertainment 101, I'd like to refer you to a good comprehensive article written by Lori Voth at Associated Content. Wedding Event Planning: Entertainment Options. It's got a good description of the basics of Live Music vs. DJ vs. DIY. The Knot also has a good article, Reception Music: Getting Started.

Greek Wedding Dance!

Here are some topics you can look forward to here!

• Incorporating your heritage or ethnicity into your wedding entertainment

• Pros and cons of DIY vs. hiring professionals
• ”Dance Party” style music selections — the good, the bad … you know

The Harmonious Wail

Of course, with my contra-dance background, I’m looking forward to introducing many of you to the option of hiring a caller or folk-dance instructor!

The Last Gaspe

Finally, I’m in the process of getting interviews lined up and hope to introduce you to some fabulous local entertainers to consider for your celebration!

Venue Spotlight: Pedretti’s Party Barn

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing John Pedretti of Pedretti’s Party Barn. It’s one of the fabulous rural barn venues we have available for events in south-central Wisconsin.  I love barn weddings!  Pedretti's Party Barn is located in a working farm!

The Pedrettis, originally from the area, converted the original barn to a lovely event venue.  The barn was built in the 1920’s on a ridge overlooking beautiful rural valleys.  They also maintain a picturesque vineyard that’s available for walking and is a gorgeous setting for photographs.  Their six mules are a fun diversion for guests-especially the kiddos!

They mostly host weddings, but they have experience with a myriad of celebrations including birthday parties, prom and a Farm Breeding Association luncheon with representatives from 27 nations!

The barn itself has laminated floors (better for dancing than a rustic barn floor!), original wagon wheel chandeliers and a 30’ by 60’ outdoor deck with a fabulous view!  Inside the barn, they’ve included a DJ balcony overlooking the dance floor.

They keep a clearing mowed for outdoor weddings with a 6 ft path.

Because they only host one function per weekend, they’re very generous with the set-up and take-down time.  They allow guests to start decorating Wednesday and they have through Monday to complete clean-up!

I can’t wait to work at this gorgeous unique venue

So, here are some specs!

Location E5594 County Rd., Viroqua WI  54665 Between Westby and Viroqua.  (About 2.5 hours west of Madison)

E-mail: juniebelle at mwt.net

Capacity: 200 in the barn is lovely, but it can hold a maximum of 350.  There’s also plenty of space available for setting up event tents outside.

Parking: Large gravel parking lot

Seating: 1200 white chairs available on site

Price: Barn rental is $600,  Outside $100 (Includes chairs for outside)


Many thanks to Rebecca Eby of Studio Noveau for providing these photographs!

Venue Spotlight: Badger Farms

I’m really excited about planning events that celebrate our connections. I think one of the driving forces behind many celebrations is a deep seeded- hard wired desire to be connected in community. Two people getting married not only celebrate their connection to one another, but also traditionally host a large party to celebrate their union within their community! When we celebrate in a rural setting, we not only celebrate our connections with each other, but also our connections to nature and the Earth. Earlier this month I got to visit Dave and Betsy Muehl, Owners of Badger Farms in Cottage Grove. They were gracious and welcoming hosts.


From their Website: “Stroll through the double-door entryway into three levels of custom designed hardwood floors complemented by rustic log staircases and railings. Complete with Air Conditioning and in-floor radiant heating the Barn is ideal for any type of Wisconsin weather.”


“The newly refurbished 1920’s barn is tucked away in the serene Wisconsin Countryside.” It’s perfect for parties between 80 and 200 guests. It’s located in a quiet country setting just east of Cottage Grove.


As I was talking to Dave, he said that one of the neatest things about being the owner of Badger Farms is seeing it transform each weekend and hearing the guests’ reactions as they recognize what a fabulous venue it is!


Badger Farms has three distinct settings to offer for an event.


The Barn itself has a fun rustic feel. There are multiple levels of balconies for sitting spaces and a DJ balcony overlooking the dance floor. It’s a really cool multi level effect for a party. It’s a great venue for a ceremony or for dancing!


Outdoors they’ve got spectacular spaces with a backdrop of trees or of open spaces to hold a beautiful outdoor ceremony. Once they had a night time ceremony outdoors under their oak tree. Talk about enchantment! The space was decorated with beautiful lighted trellises.


The Shop is connected to the Barn. Despite it’s inelegant name, it’s a lovely-high
ceilinged banquet hall with lots of natural light, built in candle sconces and large doors that open to let in the scenery if the weather is gorgeous. The walls are white with sconces that provide perfect decorating opportunities. The state of the art lighting and sound system facilitate perfect ambience and accentuate your décor.


They only host one event per weekend. For a Saturday wedding, they’re happy to have clients set up on Friday and do a leisurely tear-down on Sunday. This means…no middle of the night clean up after the reception!


The final thing which I find refreshing is that they don’t have a list of caterers they require clients to use! You may use any licensed caterer!


So, here are some specs!


Location: 1682 County Road BB- just east of Madison, Wisconsin—within driving distance from Milwaukee, Chicago, or Minneapolis.
E-mail: dave@badgerfarms.com
Capacity: 80-200 is a good number for each of the spaces.
Price: Pricing is per person with a $750 minimum. See their website for a menu of specific details
Catering: You’re welcome to use any licensed caterer.
Bar: They work with a licensed Bar Tender who charges $25/hr for her services and sells the alcohol to the clients at cost. Cash Bars are NOT permitted.

Barn Dances

My entrée into the events and weddings industry was as a dance caller. I fell in love with contra dancing in 1992.  I started calling in 1994.  I met my husband at Kimmswick, 2000.  We had a wonderful contra dance at our wedding in 2001.  I took some time off from dancing after I started having babies, but I’ve been back at it for a year and a half now, and I love it more than ever!

While it’s a lot of fun to call a dedicated contra-dance where everyone knows the moves, there’s a very special place in my heart for community dances (like most weddings) where people just want to have fun, and they’re game for trying something new. That’s really where the folk tradition thrives!

As a caller at dozens of wedding receptions, I saw a lot of things that were really creative and beautiful, and developed some opinions about weddings and community celebrations. Oddly enough, though, I’ve only recently seen the possibility of incorporating my hobby as a caller with my profession as an event planner!

I would love to plan and coordinate more “country” weddings and celebrations.  If you’re looking for a barn dance or just a wedding in a more rustic venue with a natural feel, I’ve a ton of resources for you! (Think locally produced flowers, and beautiful country venues)  Coming soon to the Planned Spontaneity Blog will be some Business Spotlights.  My first two interviews have been with owners wedding barns in the region. 


Check back soon!