2026 could be the last year that wedding barn Cambium Barn in Black Creek operates thanks to a new liquor law that went into effect on Jan. 1, 2026. PC: Fox 11 Online
BLACK CREEK, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A new Wisconsin law that went into effect this year is set to impact those who own and operate what are commonly referred to as wedding barns.
“I mean, we got married here, we have stuck so much love and energy, tens of thousands of dollars into this place, and it’s all being taken away,” says Brittany Vannuland, who owns a wedding barn and event space with her husband called Cambium Barn.
The rustic structure is in their backyard in Black Creek.
“We have owned this venue for about eight years,” she adds.
The Vannulands host about 15 events per year between June and October, events that often feature alcohol. Over the last eight years they’ve been in business, they haven’t needed a liquor license to allow alcohol to be served at their barn during events. Most commonly, venues like Cambium Barn contract with licensed vendors to provide alcohol: beer, wine, and liquor.
But this year, the law has changed.
“We either have to get our liquor license or the new law is still allowing us to have alcoholic events, but we can only have six events per year and one per month,” Vannuland says.
Vannuland says getting a liquor license is costly, and it’s not as simple as getting a license. The license would also require them to get some commercial equipment and even face rezoning.
“So that just was not an option that we could even entertain,” she adds. “We’re an intimate wedding barn, so that just doesn’t work with our business model. We want to rent the space out. We don’t want to become a tavern, we don’t want to become a bar. We’re renting our space.”
With the new law, she says it’s likely that 2026 could be their last year in business. They’ve already been forced to raise prices for this year.
“Our old minimum was $750, that was the minimum to rent the barn. Our new minimum is $5,700. That is going to include a lot more, but that is the new minimum in order for us to keep the doors open, pay our commercial liability insurance, with only being allowed six events a year.”
The new law was supported by the Tavern League of Wisconsin, and Vannuland, and other venues, question that support. Some wedding barn owners feel the Tavern League of Wisconsin is trying to eliminate competition.
“We are being basically forced to shut down with these new regulations. So being forced out of a small business that we have put so much work into is just absolutely devastating,” she says.
Other major groups and retailers supported the new law, including Wisconsin’s craft brewers, Kwik Trip, and some wholesalers. Gov. Tony Evers signed the bill nearly five years ago.
At that time, Evers said that updating the state’s liquor regulations and policies was “a priority for the safety of consumers, producers, and Wisconsin as a whole.” He said the new law will “ensure Wisconsin’s alcohol beverage industry grows and continues working for Wisconsin,” according to The Associated Press.
Some lawmakers in Wisconsin, however, are hoping to ease some of the new restrictions by proposing new legislation that would increase the number of events wedding barns and spaces can host.
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