Hovander Homestead Park

What the Venue Is Like

Hovander is a Whatcom County park on the Nooksack River just outside Ferndale, with a historic farmhouse, a red barn, gardens and an orchard. Couples book it for relaxed, outdoor weddings and family reunions with a big lawn and farm views. The county rents the orchard and the picnic shelter separately. Alcohol needs its own county permit, with a separate fee.

Getting Your Gear In

Trucks reach the orchard lawn by the park road, with a short carry from the gravel lot. The lawn is mostly level but soft after rain, so we lay plywood under heavy loads in spring. Setup usually happens the morning of the event, since the park is open to the public the day before.

Power and Water

The shelter has a few standard outlets, which are fine for lights and a playlist. They won't run a restroom trailer and a caterer at the same time. For a full evening we bring a generator. A hose bib by the shelter covers trailer water.

What the Venue Has and What You'll Bring

What Fits Here

Try a layout in our planner · See tent sizes and prices

Best Time of Year

June through September is the busy season at the park, and weekend shelter dates go early. Spring brings soft ground on the orchard lawn, so plan plywood paths for heavy carts and the restroom trailer. In fall, evenings cool off fast after sunset, and patio heaters have to stay well clear of any tent, so plan sidewalls on the weather side and blankets for the ceremony instead. Every month can bring rain, so treat the tent as the plan, not the backup.

Questions About Weddings at Hovander

At the Venue