How to Transform a Dry Hire Venue into Your Dream Wedding
Dry hire wedding venues offer couples the ultimate freedom to create a wedding that truly reflects them—but how do you avoid feeling overwhelmed? I’ve created step‐by‐step guide to personalising a blank canvas venue and turning it into something extraordinary.
1. Understand the Blank Canvas
A dry hire wedding venue means you as the couple are required to book everything yourselves: suppliers, decor, and even the set‑up crew. Understanding this is key to creating your own unique vision. It can be overwhelming to think about all of these elements, but that’s where I come in!
2. Zone Your Spaces
It can be hard to visualise your whole wedding when you have a blank canvas to start with. But early on, you need to decide where each element of your day will take place. This includes ceremony, drinks reception, dinner and dancing. The most ideal way to plan this is to have as little turnaround as possible, e.g. to have your ceremony in a separate space to where your wedding breakfast set up will be. Also, make the most of your venue! If you have a stunning outdoor space, why not use it for an outdoor ceremony which can then lead straight into your drinks reception!
3. Decide Your Decor
Creating a cohesive and meaningful aesthetic is key to personalising your wedding venue.
Pick a theme or palette: having a clear colour scheme creates a cohesive look throughout your venue. Laura and Gary opted for soft pinks and white, with candles to complement the rustic theme of the barn.
Infuse DIY elements: think about how you could hand craft signage, make your own bunting, and make unique wedding favours. There are lots of budget friendly wants to stamp your wedding with your personality.
Keep guests engaged: Set up interactive elements like garden games to keep your guests happy!
4. Catering that Complements Your Setting
A dry hire venue means that the food options are limitless. Whether you’d like the traditional the course sit down meal, or a casual barbeque, the possibilities are endless! Laura and Gary opted for food vans, and most guests sat outside in the sun to eat their delicious meals.
5. Smooth Execution = Dream Day
I cannot stress enough, if you’re planning a dry hire wedding, a coordinator is key! The last thing you want on your wedding day is to be coordinating supplier arrivals and timings. You want to be relaxed and enjoying the day you have worked so hard to plan.
As your dedicated wedding coordinator, I’ll be there on the day to ensure your decor is set out correctly, your catering team arrives on time, and your bar is prepped and ready to serve prosecco after your ceremony.
Dry hire wedding venues offer a total blank canvas—but with careful planning, layered decor, and personal touches, you can transform that blank canvas into an unforgettable celebration. Embrace the DIY wedding ideas, bring in the right pros (cough cough), and personalise every corner. The result? Your dream wedding, in your dream setting.
Contact me today to find out how I can help bring your DIY dry hire wedding together!
Photographer: Amanda Forman Photography | Venue: Castle View Farm and Stables | Styling: Sparkle Event Styling