The Ultimate Guide to Dry Hire Weddings: Real Experiences & Top Tips
February 3, 2025
When Caitlin and Nathan chose Happy Valley as their wedding venue, they knew they were in for something special. This Norfolk woodland venue offered the perfect relaxed and intimate setting they had envisioned—a wedding that felt truly like theirs. However, there was one major factor to consider: Happy Valley is a dry-hire venue.
For couples considering a dry-hire wedding, it can feel like both an exciting opportunity and a logistical puzzle. Unlike traditional venues that include catering, furniture, and a set list of suppliers, dry hire means starting with a blank slate—giving you complete creative freedom, but also requiring a lot of coordination.
So, how did Caitlin and Nathan navigate this? What were the unexpected costs, the biggest challenges, and the most rewarding moments?
In this post, they share their firsthand experience of planning a dry-hire wedding, including budgeting tips, supplier advice, and what they would (or wouldn’t) do again. If you’re considering a dry-hire venue for your wedding, their insights will give you a realistic yet inspiring look at what to expect.
Let’s dive in!
What motivated you to choose a dry hire venue over a traditional venue package?
For us, the venue was exactly what we had imagined. From the moment I stepped through the doors, I knew it was the perfect place for our wedding. Other venues felt great for a wedding, but not necessarily our wedding. Happy Valley, the venue we chose, only offered dry hire, so once we’d committed to it, we had to embrace the dry hire approach.
Once you chose a dry hire venue, what were the first steps you took in planning your wedding?
We started by identifying the essentials. The things we absolutely needed, like tables and chairs for the wedding breakfast. Then we made a wishlist of “nice-to-have” extras, like rugs to create an aisle for our ceremony. Once we had a clear idea of priorities, we could begin planning with a solid foundation.
How did you go about selecting suppliers for different aspects of the wedding (catering, decorations, furniture, etc.)?
We attended a few wedding fairs to meet suppliers in person. To simplify logistics, we hired most of our furniture directly from the venue, which meant we didn’t have to arrange separate deliveries. Catering was trickier because the venue had limited plug sockets and no kitchen, so everything had to be brought onsite. We ultimately chose North Norfolk Catering because they saw these limitations as an exciting challenge rather than a problem. They even brought in charcoal grills to cook our evening food, which made the experience feel really special.
How did you manage your budget, given the need to source everything separately? Any tips for keeping costs under control?
We focused on the big-ticket items first, like trestle tables and chairs, which we hired from the venue. For the ceremony seating, we opted for hay bales instead of chairs as this was cheaper and added a rustic touch. We also sourced items from friends and family, like easels for our schedule and rugs for the aisle. Multi-use decor was a big cost-saver; for example, the flowers from our ceremony were repurposed for the wedding breakfast. We also sourced elements from Etsy and stuck to essentials rather than extras like photo booths or dessert tables.
What were the biggest challenges in managing multiple suppliers?
The most stressful part was ensuring every supplier arrived on time and knew exactly where to be. We created a dedicated wedding email address to centralise all communications. However, some suppliers didn’t confirm details until the week of the wedding, which was nerve-wracking. We also had to hire our own sound system, and we got lost on an industrial estate while picking up a speaker—meaning we were late to our own setup day! Luckily, our wedding party had already started setting up by the time we arrived.
Did you incorporate any DIY elements to personalise the space or reduce costs?
Yes! Since we’re both English teachers, we wanted books to be part of our wedding. Over the year leading up to the wedding, we collected beautiful editions of our favorite books from different cities and used them as table decorations. Each table also had a mystery book that guests could unwrap. We hand-wrote all the place cards and table names as well, which was a fun pre-wedding activity that also saved money.
How did you manage coordination on the wedding day? Did you hire a day-of coordinator?
We hired a coordinator who worked with the venue and it was one of the best decisions we made. She helped us plan the timeline and liaise with suppliers, ensuring the day ran smoothly. She also designated members of our wedding party as points of contact, which meant we weren’t bombarded with minor questions throughout the day. This allowed us to fully enjoy the moment without distractions.
Which supplier was indispensable, and why?
Without a doubt—Lisa and Neil, our photographers. Your wedding photographers are the people you spend the most time with on the day, so getting along with them is crucial. From the first meeting, we clicked with Lisa and Neil, and they made the whole process so much easier. They weren’t just photographers; they helped with little things throughout the day. Lisa even helped Caitlin do up her shoes when she couldn’t reach them under her dress! The photos were exactly what we wanted, but their support and presence made them invaluable beyond just photography.
Were there any unexpected challenges or benefits of using a dry hire venue?
We had more creative freedom than we expected, which was great! However, costs were higher than we initially anticipated since we had to source everything separately. That said, we have zero regrets—it was the best day of our lives.
What advice would you give to couples thinking about a dry hire venue?
Be realistic about your budget and be prepared to cut non-essential items. Dry hire weddings often cost more than expected, but if you prioritise what truly matters, it’s 100% worth it.
Looking back, are you happy with your decision to choose a dry hire venue?
We couldn’t be happier! We were able to afford everything that mattered most to us, and our wedding truly felt like ours. We still look back on the day with so much love and joy.
Essential Checklist for a Dry Hire Wedding
1. Venue & Logistics
✅ Access & Timings: Confirm when you can start setup and when everything needs to be cleared.
✅ Parking & Transport: Ensure there’s enough parking or arrange transport for guests if needed.
✅ Bathrooms: If the venue doesn’t have restrooms, you may need to hire portable toilets.
✅ Power & Electricity: Check the number of outlets and whether you need a generator for extra power.
✅ Heating & Cooling: Consider heaters for a winter wedding or fans/AC units for summer.
✅ Waste Management: Who is responsible for cleaning up? Arrange bin hire or waste disposal if needed.
2. Furniture & Seating
✅ Ceremony Seating: Chairs, benches, or alternative seating like hay bales.
✅ Reception Tables & Chairs: Trestle tables, round tables, or whatever suits your layout.
✅ Signing Table: A dedicated space for signing the marriage license.
✅ Bar & Lounge Areas: Cocktail tables, sofas, or relaxed seating for mingling.
✅ Cake Table: A table or stand for displaying the wedding cake.
✅ Gift & Card Table: A designated area for guests to leave cards and gifts.
3. Decor & Styling
✅ Aisle Decor: Rugs, petals, lanterns, or floral arrangements.
✅ Lighting: Fairy lights, candles, uplighting, or festoon lighting (especially for outdoor venues).
✅ Signage: Welcome signs, seating plans, and directional signs for guests.
✅ Table Decor: Centerpieces, table runners, candles, and place cards.
✅ Dance Floor: If the venue doesn’t have one, you may need to hire a dance floor.
✅ Backdrop & Archways: For the ceremony and/or reception photos.
✅ DIY Touches: Personal elements like books, polaroid stations, or interactive guest books.
4. Catering & Drinks
✅ Caterers: Confirm what facilities are available (kitchen access, plug sockets, water supply).
✅ Serving Staff: Do you need waiters, bartenders, or a clean-up crew?
✅ Plates, Glasses & Cutlery: Ensure you have enough for each course.
✅ Bar Setup: Glassware, ice buckets, bottle openers, and mixers.
✅ Refrigeration & Storage: Coolers or fridges for drinks and food.
✅ Food Presentation: Serving trays, chafing dishes, and food warmers if needed.
✅ Waste Disposal: Extra bins or waste bags for food and drink waste.
5. Sound, Music & Entertainment
✅ Sound System: Speakers, microphones, and an audio setup for speeches and music.
✅ Live Music or DJ: Arrange staging or performance areas if needed.
✅ Backup Playlist: A pre-loaded playlist in case of tech issues with live acts.
✅ Dance Floor Lighting: Uplighting, disco lights, or colored washes.
✅ Entertainment: Photo booths, games, or additional activities for guests.
6. Photography & Videography
✅ Photographer and/or Videographer
7. Wedding Day Coordination
✅ On-the-Day Coordinator: If not provided, consider hiring someone to oversee the day.
✅ Timeline & Supplier Contact List: A detailed schedule and key contacts for vendors.
✅ Emergency Kit: Sewing kit, stain remover, safety pins, deodorant, painkillers, and tissues.
8. Guest Experience & Comfort
✅ Seating Plan & Name Cards: Make sure guests know where they’re sitting.
✅ Weather Considerations: Umbrellas for rain, blankets for cold weather, sunscreen for hot days.
✅ Children’s Area: Activities or entertainment for younger guests.
✅ Accessibility: Wheelchair ramps or accessible seating if needed.
✅ Guest Transport: Shuttle buses or taxis for those without cars.
Planning a dry hire wedding is a big undertaking, but it also gives you the freedom to create a day that’s truly unique to you. While it comes with extra logistics and costs, the ability to handpick every detail makes it all worthwhile. With the right preparation, a great team of suppliers, and a little creativity, your dry hire wedding can be just as seamless—and even more personal—than a traditional venue package.
