Frequently Asked Questions

Please see below for some of the most common questions we get about Whippoorwill Hill. These questions and answers are important for clients and guests, so please feel free to share this link or these answers with your friends and family! If we’re missing a question that you have, please contact us and we’ll get it answered!

  • Our farm is conveniently located six miles south of the courthouse in Bloomington, so it’s close enough to stay in any hotel in Bloomington and Uber back to your hotel if you so choose.

    If you’d like a few ideas to get you started - Fourwinds Lakeside Inn and Marina - is south of us and on Lake Monroe, Candlewood Suites is the closest to the farm, the Graduate is a really cool hotel downtown, and we love boutique hotel vibes at the Wampler House or Grant Street Inn.

  • Our venue sits in the middle of our working farm. We intentionally do not have a paved driveway or parking lot - tracked farm equipment is harsh on pavement. So comfortable, shoes that are able to be worn through gravel are important!

    Additionally, with our barn not being insulated, dressing for the outdoor temperature is always smart!

  • Smoking is not allowed in or around the farm buildings. There is a designated smoking area between the wedding barn and the red barn that is the only place on the farm where smoking is allowable. This rule will be strictly enforced. This policy applies to vaping as well.

    For the safety of our historic barns, WH reserves the right to ask smokers to leave if they are not following this policy.  

    WH also reserves the right to utilize the Client’s security deposit to remove butts from the property or repair any damage caused by smoking outside of the designated smoking area. Please be respectful of the farm and the Clients by being a respectful smoker.

  • There is NO SELF SERVICE OF ALCOHOL ALLOWED ON THE FARM.

    As a guest of this wedding, please do not bring your own alcohol. The clients have signed an agreement with WH that says “no unauthorized alcohol will be on the premises during the event.” Any unauthorized alcohol is not only illegal, it will jeopardize the Client’s event.

  • Yes!  We are proud to report that we have a fiber optic connection to the barn and have blazing fast wifi.  There is a password protected guest network.  While at the barn, please ask our event managers for the password to leverage the internet connection.

  • We have a herd of beef cattle, some chickens, a donkey, a pony, three horses, two dogs and a cat!  They are all very nice!

  • Jeff is the resident farmer and he rotates crops between corn and soybeans each year. He often puts down a cover crop of rye over the winter too. He planted corn in 2025, so 2026 will be soybeans, 2027 corn again… you get it. ;)

  • Under no circumstances should a guest open a gate or cross a fence during an event. WH strictly prohibits access to all areas of the farm without prior consent.  Guests are welcome to walk around the areas of the farm that are not fenced. 

    Please be respectful of our crops, buildings, and animals. If crops are up, please do not walk through them or pull them up. Please do not feed or touch any animal without consent from a WH employee. Finally, please be respectful of our venue and buildings - they are all very old!

  • Yes it is!  The farm was officially listed on the national register in December of 2020.  The 1822 cabin and the red (double crib barn) and many of the outbuildings make up one of the few historic districts in Monroe County.

  • Yes, you may leave vehicles in the parking lot overnight. We want you to be safe and comfortable.

    Vehicles left overnight must be picked up by 9:30 a.m. the following day. If cars are left beyond that time and pose a problem (which is exceedingly rare), they will be towed at the vehicle owner’s expense.

    You may not sleep in your car or on the farm overnight. Please ensure that you plans for transportation and overnight accommodations if leaving your vehicle on site.

for Guests & Clients:

for Clients:

  • Yes, we will have one of our Event Managers or one of our owners near by or at the farm while you, your vendors, or your guests are present. However, we do not wish to intrude upon your day unless completely necessary. Though we will be available to handle any facility issues that may arise during the event, our hope is that you will not even know we are there!

  • We host an Open House nearly every month and would love to have you come to any/all of them to help plan your event.

  • We require collegiate parties or parties that are hosted by clients under 25 years of age to hire a security guard.  Otherwise, a security guard is not required to rent WH.

    This generally does not apply to weddings. This is focused on collegiate social events such a sorority and fraternity parties to ensure safety of all of our guests.

    If you have any questions about this policy, please reach out to discuss the requirement further.

  • THERE IS NO SELF SERVICE OF ALCOHOL ALLOWED AT THE WHIPPOORWILL HILL VENUE.

    If you’re a guest at the wedding, no. Please do not bring your own alcohol. The clients have signed an agreement with us that says “no unauthorized alcohol will be on the premises during the event.”

    If you’re a client, there is a possibility to buy your own beer and wine (from somewhere like Sam’s Club) and have one of our preferred alcohol providers serve the alcohol to your guests with all of the proper permitting, licensing, etc.

    Let’s chat more about this if you’re interested in learning more!

  • All guests not actively cleaning the venue must leave the premises at the contracted end time of the event. Staff, vendors, and all helpers actively removing personal effects or cleaning must vacate two hours after the event ending time.

    Whippoorwill Hill hours Monday-Thursday are 10am-8pm, Friday and Saturday are 10am-11pm, Sundays are 10am - 10pm.

  • Our policy is that everything must be removed at the end of customer’s rental period.

    We often have back to back events, meaning we are not able to store one client’s items as they will be in the way for the next client.

    Please make every effort to plan to have all of your items removed at the end of your rental period.

  • Yes, we have two spaces to get ready at the venue. The Sanders Store and the Tate Tatum House.

    You can learn more about them both on our accommodations page.

  • Yes! For both the Tate Tatum House and the Sanders Store, you can absolutely bring champagne for mimosas or other alcohol to enjoy while you are getting ready!   

    The Sanders Store is an Air BnB so you’re welcome to enjoy the alcohol while getting ready and if you’re booked overnight, you’re welcome to leave the alcohol in that space overnight.

    The Tate Tatum House is daily use only on wedding day. Once clients and bridal parties are done getting ready and are heading to the barn for the ceremony/reception, they must vacate the Tate Tatum House and in so doing, must secure all alcohol in their vehicles. Removing the alcohol from vehicles during the ceremony/reception at Whippoorwill Hill is strictly prohibited. Any alcohol consumed during the ceremony and reception must come from a licensed and insured alcohol provider from the list that Whippoorwill Hill maintains.

  • Yes and no, the bathrooms, foyer, and kitchen have central heat and air. 

    The barn itself is not insulated and thus does not have central heat and air, but instead is heated by temporary propane heaters and cooled with a fleet of Big Ass Fans and evaporative coolers.

  • Yes, our venue is handicapped accessible and was designed with all customers in mind.  There is a handicapped parking lot directly adjacent to the wedding venue, and the barn features handicapped accessible restrooms designed to ADA requirements.  Additionally, outdoor wedding ceremonies can be held in such a way to include all mobility challenged guests.

  • Your ceremony can take place just about anywhere on the farm that you think would work best for you.  We can accommodate indoor, outdoor, or covered wedding ceremonies.  All of our arbors are moveable, so you can select your ceremony location and backdrop to make your event one of a kind and tailored to your vision.

  • No, you do not need to rent a dance floor.  Feel free to dance on the smooth concrete barn floor, on the porches, or rent a dance floor to your liking.

  • The pergola (or big wedding area at the back of the barn) is 108’ from the barn doors to the first limestone step. The platform of the pergola is 114’ from the barn doors.

  • Yes, we would love for all members of your family (furry or not) to be included in your big day.  Let’s just talk about the details and logistics of keeping your furry friends safe and happy during the event!

  • We do not have exclusive contracts for any vendors. We want your special day to be exactly what you want. If you need help finding a quality vendor, please check out our Preferred Vendors Document. That document shares vendors that we have worked with that we believe do a fabulous job!

  • There are about 6 acres where the Tate Tatum House, wedding barn, historic barn, natural spring, axillary structures, and parking lots are located. Those 6 acres are the most common place for guests to use for gatherings. Ceremonies and receptions can certainly be set up in different configurations, or in different areas on the farm with approval from WH staff.

    If you have something else in mind, please reach out to us and we’ll do our best to make it happen!

  • The client is responsible for any and all damage to the event space or adjacent property. In most cases, the $500 deposit will cover the damage. In instances that it does not, WH will work with the customer to have the damaged property repaired.

  • Clean up of the venue is not included in the contract. WH does offer a cleaning service for a fee.

    If Clients elect to clean the venue, the expectation is that the barn will be in the same state you received it. All customers receive a Customer Close Out Checklist in their customer portal that fully documents requirements. 

  • We do not provide any linens, table wear, or serving utensils. Clients are responsible for brining their own table cloths, plates, and silverware to their event.

  • You can find a size guide for your linens here.

  • We would LOVE that!

    If you book your wedding at Whippoorwill Hill, we’d love to offer complimentary time at the farm to take your engagement photos.

    Because our weekends are a little hectic, we ask that all photo shoots happen Monday-Wednesday. Please connect with us to schedule a time to be at the farm so we can ensure the time is intimate for you (ie. we don’t schedule other things during your shoot).

    These engagement photo shoot sessions are a perfect time really explore the farm with your photographer and game plan wedding day photography!

Open Barn Events

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