Wedding barns in Wisconsin are suing the state over new liquor license law.

Wedding barn owners in Wisconsin are fighting back against a new law that requires them to obtain liquor licenses, a move that they believe unfairly targets their businesses. The law, which was passed last year, seeks to regulate the state’s alcohol industry more comprehensively, impacting all levels of the business from production to distribution.

Two wedding barns, Farmview Event Barn in Berlin and Monarch Valley Wedding & Events in Blair, have taken legal action against the Wisconsin Department of Revenue to challenge the new requirements. The law mandates that venues such as wedding barns must either secure a permit to host a limited number of events each year or obtain a liquor license to sell alcohol at any event they host.

Opponents of the law argue that it infringes on their rights under the Wisconsin Constitution, specifically targeting the wedding venue industry and stifling competition. By imposing restrictions and additional costs on these businesses, the law hampers their ability to innovate and adapt to changing market demands.

One of the main concerns raised by wedding barn owners is that the law creates exemptions for certain types of properties, such as those owned by municipalities, schools, churches, and clubs, as well as venues within professional stadium districts. This selective application of the law is seen as arbitrary and unfair, placing an undue burden on businesses like wedding barns.

Both Farmview Event Barn and Monarch Valley Wedding & Events do not currently hold liquor licenses nor do they sell alcohol on their premises. Instead, they allow guests to bring their own alcohol to events, a practice that has been the subject of criticism from traditional bars, restaurants, and event venues.

Owners of wedding barns fear that the new law will force them out of business, particularly in areas where obtaining a liquor license may prove difficult due to local regulations. For many, hosting weddings and events on their properties is not just a source of income but also a way to sustain their farms and make necessary upgrades to their facilities.

As the legal battle unfolds in Trempealeau County Circuit Court, the outcome remains uncertain. The wedding barn owners, supported by organizations like the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty, are determined to protect their rights and livelihoods from what they see as an unjust and discriminatory law.

The debate over the future of wedding barns in Wisconsin highlights larger issues of economic competition, regulatory oversight, and individual rights. Whether these businesses will be able to continue operating as they have for years or be forced to comply with new regulations remains to be seen.