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Interior of New House Farm, a dry hire wedding barn in Cumbria
Jenn Garlick Photography

Dry Hire Wedding Venues

Are you dreaming of a wedding that's as unique as you are? Dry hire wedding venues offer the ultimate blank canvas for couples who are looking for a wedding venue that offers complete flexibility in terms of catering and styling. Unlike wedding venues with fixed packages, dry hire venues provide a flexible space that you can customise to match your needs and vision. From rustic barns to industrial warehouses and even venues that specialise in DIY weddings, there's a dry hire wedding venue for every couples' style and budget.

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Featured Dry Hire Wedding Venues

 
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Ultimate Guide to Dry Hire Wedding Venues

Whether you have key questions about hiring a dry hire wedding venue or you'd like some great recommendations for locations across the country; our ultimate guide is here to help you decide whether a dry hire venue is ideal for you.

Read the Ultimate Guide

What is a Dry Hire Wedding Venue?

Dry hire, in the context of wedding venues, refers to renting the physical space without any additional services or amenities included. This means you're essentially renting a blank canvas for your wedding day. Unlike venues that offer wedding packages with all of your furniture and food and drink included, dry hire often requires you to bring in your own vendors for everything from catering to lighting and decor.

This kind of wedding venue offers several advantages:

  • Complete Customisation: Dry hire wedding venues give you maximum control over every aspect of your wedding. You can often choose your caterers and the wedding suppliers that align with your vision and budget, and create a truly unique and personalised event.
  • Cost-Effective: While the upfront cost of venue hire for a dry hire wedding venue might be similar to package wedding venues, you are not limited to using an in house caterer or specific suppliers. This means that you can potentially save money by carefully selecting your own vendors that better suit your budget.
  • Unique Venues: Dry hire often allows you to choose from a wider range of wedding venues, including unique and quirky spaces like industrial factories or warehouses to outdoor locations. This can give your wedding a truly one-of-a-kind feel.

Overall, choosing a dry hire wedding venue is a great for couples who want complete control over their wedding and are willing to put in the extra effort to create a truly personalised event.

FAQs About Dry Hire Weddings

If you envision a wedding that's entirely your own, a dry hire venue is the way to go. You'll rent the venue alone and have the freedom to select all your own wedding vendors for a truly unique celebration. This gives you complete control over every aspect of the wedding, from the food and drink to the entertainment and decor.

With a dry hire venue, you have more freedom to choose your wedding caterer. You can select from the venue's approved list, which often includes a variety of options to suit different tastes and budgets. Or, if you have a specific caterer in mind, you can often bring them in, giving you even more options. This flexibility allows you to create a wedding menu that is truly unique and memorable.

Dry hire can be a more affordable option, but it's important to carefully consider all the costs involved. In addition to the venue hire, you'll also need to factor in the cost of your catering, drinks, venue decor and furniture hire and any other items you'll need for the wedding. Wedding packages often include many of these items, so they can be a more cost-effective choice in the long run. It's important to compare the total cost of both options and consider your priorities before making a decision.

While not strictly necessary, hiring a wedding planner or on-the-day wedding coordinator can be helpful for managing all the details of your dry hire wedding. Depending on your requirements, they can help you find key suppliers for your wedding, coordinate logistics, and ensure everything runs smoothly on the day. This is especially helpful when your dry hire wedding venue doesn't include a venue coordinator in the hire inclusions.

When you rent a dry hire wedding venue, the space itself is always included. You can also expect basic facilities like toilets, electricity, water, and a kitchen or area for your caterers to prepare your food. However, the specific amenities available may vary depending on the venue, so it's important to clarify what's included. For example, some venues may provide a basic setup of tables and chairs, while others may require you to rent your own furniture.

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Independent Weddings: Tie the Knot on Your Terms

Discover how independent weddings allow couples to personalise every detail of their big day, from the venue to the menu, for a truly unique celebration. Learn the benefits of planning your wedding on your terms and creating a day that reflects your style and story.

Read more
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