I started my photography career in the Florida panhandle, so Florida weddings hold a particular place for me. Bridle Oaks Barn in DeLand is exactly the kind of venue I love: five acres of oak trees and lush greenery, a working farm with goats and donkeys and chickens, two barns, an outdoor altar, and an owner in Shawna Everett who is deeply invested in every wedding that happens here.
About the Venue
Located at 1250 East Taylor Road in DeLand, Florida, easily accessible from the I-4 corridor and near DeLand’s historic downtown. A working farm on five acres owned and operated by Shawna Everett. Two barns, an outdoor altar, wooded paths, a pond, and working farm animals. Tables, chiavari chairs, and a substantial selection of decor and vintage rentals are included. Weddings on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays only. Pricing starts at $3,300 for the whole venue for the whole day.
The Event Spaces
The outdoor altar is set among mature oak trees with natural light filtering through the canopy. The surrounding woodland paths, pond, and farm landscapes give couples a genuine variety of portrait locations without leaving the property.
The main barn is the reception space with high ceilings, open beams, chandeliers, and twinkling lights. Up to 150 guests with tables and chairs included. The barn has enough character that additional decoration is optional rather than necessary.
A getting-ready house on the property allows the wedding party to prepare on-site, making morning coverage more cohesive. Overnight stays are available for the couple.
What Makes Bridle Oaks Distinctive
The working farm is genuinely unusual. Mini donkeys, goats, and chickens roam the property (I even got to pick up a chicken and give it a kiss. It was awesome.) It creates a warmth and specificity that purpose-built barn venues cannot replicate. The bring-your-own-vendor model, with a proven preferred vendor list, gives couples real budget flexibility without sacrificing quality. And Shawna’s investment in each wedding, down to hatching baby chickens for a couple who wanted them on their day, is the kind of thing that shows up in reviews over and over.
Frequently Asked Questions: Bridle Oaks Barn Weddings
Where is Bridle Oaks Barn located?
1250 East Taylor Road in DeLand, Florida. Accessible from the I-4 corridor. Near DeLand’s historic downtown. More at bridleoaksbarn.com.
What is Bridle Oaks Barn?
A five-acre working farm and wedding venue in DeLand, Florida, with two barns, an outdoor altar, wooded paths, a pond, and working farm animals including goats, mini donkeys, and chickens. Up to 150 guests. Tables, chairs, and decor included. BYO vendors with a preferred vendor list. Weddings on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. Pricing starts at $3,300 for the whole venue for the whole day.
What makes Bridle Oaks Barn distinctive?
The working farm atmosphere is real, not decorative. The animals live there. The oak trees are mature. The pond and wooded paths give portrait locations a genuine variety. The pricing and flexibility are unusual for a venue this beautiful. And Shawna Everett’s hands-on ownership means every wedding here is treated as a specific event, not a rotation.
What time of year is best for a Bridle Oaks wedding?
Fall and winter are the most comfortable seasons for Florida outdoor weddings. October through March brings cooler temperatures and lower humidity, which matters for both guest comfort and photography. Spring and early summer work if you plan for the heat. The oak canopy provides shade throughout the day, which helps significantly.
Do you photograph destination weddings at Bridle Oaks Barn?
Yes. I started my career in Florida and still travel there for weddings. If yours is at Bridle Oaks, I would love to hear about it.
