CHOCOWINITY — Southern brides now have the option for a rustic venue close to home, right along N.C. Highway 33 at Raised in a Barn Farm.

Saturday marks the official opening of the Chocowinity farm as a wedding venue, with indoor and outdoor spaces to accommodate the family’s expectations, according to owner Jane Boahn.

She said the opening celebration, Boots ‘n Bouquets Bridal Show and Farm Tour, already has more than 30 vendors lined up to attend.

Following the family farm’s motto of “come as a customer, leave as a friend,” Boahn said they are trying to incorporate more community events into the schedule, thus sparking the idea for a wedding venue.

“We’ve been asked a lot,” Boahn said. “It gives you a very relaxed atmosphere that you can do a lot with.”

The farm’s owners have worked tirelessly to make the bridal show happen, and Beth Baker, event coordinator and designer, said they are trying to get in line with the upcoming trends for rustic country weddings.

“Everybody has gone Pinterest-crazy in the world,” Baker said. “We are trying to be a little bit ahead of the curve.”

Boots ‘n Bouquets is also part of a larger expansion of services at Raised in a Barn Farm, including the regular farmers market, a florist shop and summer camps.

The florist shop is meant to complement the farm as a wedding venue, according to Baker.

“We’re kind of worn out right now, but we’re excited,” she said with a laugh.

Boahn said they are trying to take advantage of the property in its natural beauty and offer services unlike any other within the area.

“We literally are a working farm,” she said. “Not just throwing up a tin building and calling it a barn.”

If all goes well, Boahn said they hope to keep the wedding venue open as late into the year as possible, and the overall goal is to have a major event at the farm at least quarterly.

“We call it a community farm,” she said.

Boots ‘n Bouquets Bridal Show and Farm Tour will be April 30, from 2-5 p.m. at Raised in a Barn Farm, 2106 N.C. Highway 33 East, Chocowinity.