How The Covered Cocktail Bar Deck Keeps Receptions Comfortable Year Round
When couples tour wedding venues in Ohio, they often ask us about weather contingencies. Rain on your wedding day doesn't have to mean compromising on the outdoor atmosphere you want. At The Mohicans Treehouse Resort and Wedding Venue in Glenmont, our covered cocktail bar deck gives you the open air feel without the anxiety.
The Main Level Bar Deck That Handles Weather Shifts
Our main level cocktail bar deck sits adjacent to The Grand Barn's dining spaces, covered overhead but open on the sides. You get natural light, forest breezes, and views of our 75 wooded acres while your guests stay dry during unpredictable spring showers or crisp fall evenings. The deck is handicap accessible, so everyone moves easily between cocktail hour and dinner wWe ithout navigating stairs or uneven terrain.
We built this space specifically for the shoulder seasons when Ohio weather can surprise you. March and April couples love that they can lock in a covered outdoor bar without renting a tent or worrying about wind gusts. The timber frame structure keeps rain off your guests while still feeling like you're outside, which matters when you've chosen a forest venue for that exact reason.
How Guests Flow Between Spaces During Your Event
Most couples use the ceremony patio on the ground level for vows. After the ceremony, guests walk up to the covered bar deck for cocktails. Because the deck connects directly to the main barn, your bartenders and catering team can restock without crossing exposed areas or carrying trays down exterior steps.
The mezzanine deck on the second level faces east, so it catches early day light if you're doing a daytime event or want a quiet spot for portraits before guests arrive. Both decks are covered, which gives you flexibility if the weather turns during different parts of your timeline. Your Event Day Manager will be on site the day of your wedding to help coordinate these transitions, and our Planning Team works with you during the months leading up to your date to map out logistics.
What Thirteen Hours of Exclusive Access Means for Setup
When you book The Grand Barn Wedding Venue, you get the entire venue for thirteen hours. That all day access matters when you're working around covered and uncovered spaces. Your florist can set up the ceremony patio early without rushing, your caterer has time to prep in our serving kitchen, and your bartender can stock the covered deck at their own pace.
The venue includes white garden ceremony chairs, banquet dining tables, and farmhouse dining chairs for your reception. We also provide high top cocktail tables for the bar deck, so you don't need to rent additional furniture for that space. The covered structure has white lights strung on the beams and handrails, which means your decorator can focus the budget on florals or other personal touches instead of lighting infrastructure.
Planning Around Our Seasonal Calendar
We operate from March 1 through December 15 each year. That spring and fall window is when our covered spaces really prove their value. May through October, you'll likely have warm evenings and can use both the covered deck and open air ceremony patio without concern. March, April, and November couples appreciate knowing they have weather protected options built into the rental.
For cold weather events, we recommend keeping your guest count at or below 150 so everyone fits comfortably in the indoor dining spaces if temperatures drop. Warm weather allows us to accommodate up to 200 guests using a combination of indoor and covered outdoor areas. If you're planning a Friday or Saturday event, we require a minimum of 75 guests.
Lodging and the Treehouse Experience
Our property includes ten treehouses, four cabins, and two country homes (country homes located 2.5 miles away). Most of your wedding guests will stay on site, and because we're a resort, they get early check in at 2 pm the day of your wedding instead of the standard 3 pm for non wedding guests. You'll spend your wedding night in The Nest Treehouse, which sits adjacent to the venue.
The terrain here is hilly and wooded, so most guests drive between their lodging and The Grand Barn rather than walking. We recommend that in your welcome materials so everyone knows to expect a short drive on our gravel roads. The 5 mph speed limit keeps things safe, and the treetop views make even that two minute drive feel like part of the experience.
What's Included and What You'll Need to Arrange
Your venue rental covers the one night stay in The Nest, your Event Day Manager on site during your wedding, coordination support from our Planning Team while you're planning, on site security during the event, and priority lodging access so your guests can book before the general public.
We provide a covered pavilion as weather backup for ceremonies, though most couples use the ground level ceremony patio. The serving kitchen is sized for off site caterers, so you'll hire your own catering team. You're welcome to bring any licensed caterer you prefer. The covered bar deck is included in your rental, and your bartender will have access to the space throughout your event.
Conclusion
The Mohicans Treehouse Resort and Wedding Venue also has three party suites with beauty bars for getting ready, a fireside lounge with a fire pit, and a picturesque half acre pond nearby. Both restrooms are handicap accessible. We include a ceremony arbor, rustic benches, and white garden chairs for your ceremony, plus display units like our three shelf rustic stands and mobile three barrel displays.
We'd love to show you the covered bar deck and walk you through how couples use the space in different seasons. Reach out to our team at weddings@themohicans.net or call us at (740) 599-9030 to schedule a tour. You can also visit our website at themohicans.net to see photos of the deck and other spaces in The Grand Barn.
FAQs
When do you recommend booking if we want a spring or fall date?
Spring and fall dates tend to book earlier because couples value having built-in covered spaces during seasons when Ohio weather can be unpredictable. If you have your eye on March, April, May, or fall weekends, we recommend starting the conversation as soon as you have a general date range in mind. Booking earlier gives you the best selection of dates and more flexibility as you plan the rest of your vendors around the venue.
Can we bring our own caterer and bartender?
Yes, we have a serving kitchen designed for off site caterers, and you're welcome to hire any licensed catering team. The covered cocktail bar deck connects directly to the main barn, so your service team can restock without going outside. Your caterer will coordinate timing with our Event Day Manager on the day of your wedding.
What happens if it rains on our ceremony?
Most couples use our ground level ceremony patio, which is uncovered and east facing for shaded ceremony space for your guests on hot summer days. If the weather becomes an issue, we have a covered pavilion as backup. The covered bar deck handles rain during cocktail hour without needing a tent or last-minute changes, which is one of the reasons couples choose us for spring and fall dates if they are thinking about weather impacts on outdoor wedding days when Ohio weather can be unpredictable.
Is the venue handicap accessible?
Yes, both the ground-level ceremony patio and the main-level covered bar deck are handicap accessible. Our restrooms are also handicap accessible. The mezzanine deck is on the second level and requires stairs, but all essential event spaces can be accessed without steps.