How to plan a wedding in a Catalan farmhouse in Osona: a step-by-step guide
A masia wedding means old stone, open countryside and the feeling that the whole day belongs to you. It also means more freedom, and more decisions. This guide puts them in order, from a year out to the big day.
A masia, the traditional Catalan farmhouse, isn't a banqueting hall with a set package. You choose the caterer, the styling, the timings and the pace of the day, and that's exactly what makes it special. The trade-off is a little more organisation. This guide suggests a sensible order for your decisions, with examples of how things work at La Masseria de Mas Vall-llovera, a 15th-century farmhouse in Tona (Osona) that is hired exclusively for groups of 10 to 100 people.
Your wedding timeline: what to do and when
Every couple is different, but this is a realistic starting point for a venue where you pick every supplier yourselves:
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 12 months before | Overall budget, draft guest list, season and two or three possible dates. Visit venues and book. |
| 9–10 months | Caterer, photographer and videographer, music. For a civil ceremony, check the paperwork with your local registry. |
| 6 months | Save the dates or invitations, flowers and styling, outfits, guest transport and a block of rooms. |
| 3 months | Menu tasting, a space-by-space running order, a detailed rain plan, final list of suppliers. |
| 1 month | Final guest numbers, table plan, arrival times for each supplier at the venue. |
| 1 week | Check the forecast, confirm plan A or plan B and share the running order with every supplier. |
| On the day | One trusted person (or your wedding planner) as the single contact for suppliers and venue. You just enjoy it. |
Step 1: pick your date and season
The date shapes almost everything: the light for the ceremony, the menu, what guests wear and even the budget. Osona, inland from Barcelona, has four very distinct seasons, so it's worth factoring that in from the start.
Spring and autumn
Mild temperatures, a green or golden landscape and plenty of natural light. These are the most sought-after months for outdoor weddings, so book early.
Summer
Long days and pleasant evenings for dining outside. Schedule the ceremony for late afternoon, once the sun has softened.
Winter and weekdays
More availability and a cosy, intimate feel, with the meal indoors. If you're torn, read our guide to the best time to get married in Osona.
Step 2: settle on your guest numbers
Before you look at venues, draw up a realistic list. Your numbers tell you which venues fit and how the spaces will work on the day. La Masseria de Mas Vall-llovera is designed for celebrations of 10 to 100 guests, with the whole estate to yourselves.
Intimate weddings (up to around 40)
These allow a looser format: a long lunch in the Plaça Major, coffee in the garden and a party with no rush. It feels like a family home.
Weddings of 40 to 100 guests
Here the rain plan really matters. The indoor hall seats 70 or holds 100 for a standing reception, so with more than 70 guests a wet-weather meal should be cocktail-style or under a marquee in the garden.
Step 3: choose your caterer freely
Many venues insist on their own caterer. At La Masseria de Mas Vall-llovera you're free to hire whoever you like or, for more relaxed celebrations, bring your own food and drink. If you'd like suggestions, we can recommend suppliers we trust.
Questions to ask a caterer
- Have they worked at venues without a commercial kitchen, and what do they need to bring?
- What's included: waiting staff, set-up, clear-down, cleaning and service hours?
- Do they supply crockery, glassware and linen, or will they use the venue's?
- How do they handle allergies, children's menus and vegetarian options?
- How would they adapt to the rain plan at short notice?
- Do they also run the bar, or will you need a separate bar service?
Make the most of what's already there
The farmhouse has a prep kitchen with a hob, microwave, fridge and dishwasher, plus basic furniture and tableware. For drinks there's La Bodega de la Masseria de Mas Vall-llovera, a bar tucked under the stone arches of the Plaça Major. Share this with your caterer so they can plan.
Step 4: plan the day around the spaces
One of the joys of a farmhouse is that each part of the day can have its own setting. Moving between spaces keeps the celebration flowing and surprises your guests. Here's how it can work at La Masseria de Mas Vall-llovera's spaces:
The ceremony in El Jardí
Around 250 m² of lawn looking out over the Tona valley and the Montseny. It's a blank canvas for chairs, a flower arch, a marquee or a tipi.
Drinks and dinner in La Plaça Major
The heart of the masia, framed by stone arches, with La Bodega for the bar. Perfect for a welcome drink or an open-air banquet.
Dancing in La Sala Interior
The air-conditioned indoor hall works as a dance floor, a space for an intimate dinner or your plan B.
A quiet corner in La Sala Relax
The old stable, with its original stone and beams, is ideal for grandparents or little ones who need a break.
Step 5: have a rain plan ready
Every outdoor wedding needs a plan B, and the more concrete it is, the calmer you'll feel. At La Masseria de Mas Vall-llovera, plan B is the air-conditioned indoor hall, which seats 70 or holds 100 for a standing reception.
- Decide in advance where each moment (ceremony, drinks, dinner) would move if it rains.
- Set a cut-off time to decide, such as the morning of the wedding, based on the forecast.
- Make sure your caterer, florist and musicians all know the plan B.
- If you have a large guest list, consider a marquee in the garden as back-up.
Step 6: guest logistics
Getting there
Tona is about 50 minutes by car from Barcelona. Send guests the exact location well ahead and consider a return coach: everyone arrives on time and nobody has to drive after the party.
Parking
The estate has private parking for 60 vehicles, which is handy for guests and suppliers alike.
Where to stay
Osona has hotels and rural guesthouses in the surrounding towns and villages. If guests are coming from abroad, send them a shortlist and, if you can, reserve a block of rooms early.
Step 7: visit the farmhouse before you decide
Photos help, but nothing beats walking around the estate. Visits to La Masseria de Mas Vall-llovera are by appointment. While you're there, look at:
- Where the sun will be at the time of your ceremony.
- The route between El Jardí, La Plaça Major and the indoor hall.
- Where the caterer will work and where the bar will go.
- Toilets, access and parking for older guests.
- How the plan B would look with your guest numbers.
Quick checklist
- Budget and rough guest list.
- Season and two or three alternative dates.
- Venue visited and booked.
- Caterer, photographer and music confirmed.
- Running order for the day, space by space.
- Rain plan agreed with every supplier.
- Transport and accommodation for guests.
- One point of contact for the day itself.
To see how your wedding could look here, explore our weddings and celebrations page or get in touch and we'll talk it through.
