If you have no idea what the term ‘dry hire’ actually means, let me explain. With many traditional venues you can choose a particular package or the all-inclusive options, but if you choose to go down the dry hire route you will be hiring a completely blank canvas.
Although there is a lot more to consider when planning a dry hire wedding, it’s also a lot more personal. It offers you the chance to create a completely and utterly unique wedding whether that’s choosing your very own mouth-watering menu to daydreaming about some epic floral designs.
So, if you want to get creative when it comes to your special day, we’re helping you scout out some of our favourite DIY & dry hire wedding venues to help you along the way…
Ash Barton
A secret escape in the beautiful North Devon countryside, Ash Barton is the perfect dry hire wedding venue. Expect sea views, wildflower meadows, lakes and complete exclusivity. The lovely team avoid the ‘package’ type of wedding and instead encourage you to let your imagination run wild and choose the right vibe for you. There’s no curfew or corkage, and you can even spoil 47 of your loved ones with their charming self-catering accommodation. Ash Barton is laid-back yet luxurious, where you can totally DIY your big day and bring in your dream suppliers – it’s all yours to enjoy!
Blank Canvas
Our fabulous friends at Blank Canvas have already graced the pages of the blog with their top tips for planning an incredible dry hire wedding venue, so make sure you check it out if you’re about to embark on the planning journey. Custodians at Littlefield Manor, you can soak up at the romance amidst 400 acres of farmland, beautiful countryside views and walled gardens. The rural setting is the perfect match for a relaxed tipi wedding with a barbecue or crowd-pleasing hog roast. You and your guests can even glamp overnight!
Camp Katur
With minimal restrictions and the wackiest of suggestions, the team at Camp Katur want you to go all out with your dry hire wedding, and this woodland venue is the perfect place to make your dreams come true. Made for couples who want something totally different from a traditional venue, you can create an unforgettable experience in the most magical location. Whether you choose to celebrate in their Orangery Barn or hire the land and source your own tipi, it’s time to let the daydreaming begin.
Colehayes Park
Let me introduce you to Colehayes Park, a beautiful Grade II Listed Georgian Mansion that is tucked away in 20 acres of private woodland. Here, you can extend your wedding celebrations for a weekend or even a week, and it sleeps up to 80 guests in its self-catering accommodation. Warm, welcoming and cosy, this DIY wedding venues offers complete freedom to create a bespoke big day. It has an undeniable home-from-home feel that instantly translates into your wedding. The best news? It’s exclusive-use, so the house is entirely yours for you and your loved ones to make the most of.
Godwick Great Barn
Relaxed and romantic, Godwick Great Barn is located in the idyllic Norfolk countryside. A dry hire wedding venue with oodles of character, the setting is completely customisable to suit you, so that you can celebrate your love story as you wish. Offering an unrivalled friendly and personal service, the team avoid having too many rules. Flexibility is key here at Godwick, so make the most of the space and say ‘I Do’ as your guests sit on haybales, wine and dine under the twinkling lights of the barn or play garden games in the fields. Don’t forget, their fabulous in-house stylist Penny at The Little Lending Company will ensure your DIY wedding day is oh-so-stylish.
H-Coo Events
A dry hire wedding venue in Somerset, The Cider Orchard at the Grange promises a homely and rustic setting for your special day. You’ll find peaceful countryside, the dreamiest orchards and a charming Grade II Listed farmhouse. Part of H-Coo Events, the venue is incredibly flexible and offers you a relaxed blank canvas to play with. There is no corkage fee, and the team offer a tailor-made service to suit your needs and your budget. A delightful countryside venue, it really is rather lovely.
Plas Dinam
The team at Plas Dinam want you to feel completely at home at their Grade II Listed mansion in Mid-Wales. This family-owned house features fabulous gardens, woodland walks and the cosiest rooms for you to celebrate with your loved ones in. It’s full of warmth, love and comfort, with a flexible and relaxed approach to your wedding day. In fact, everything can be tweaked to suit your requirements so that you can have an amazing time at this epic location.
Shoreditch Studios
For couples who want a blank canvas wedding venue with an urban-industrial edge, look no further than Shoreditch Studios. Situated in East London, this versatile warehouse is a seriously cool place to host your celebration. The exposed brick walls, high ceilings and large courtyard are all gorgeous features of the two studio spaces on offer, both of which can be decorated as you wish so get those creative juices flowing!
The Secret Barn
Hidden away down a winding, country lane you will stumble upon The Secret Barn. Authentic and rustic, this dry hire wedding venue is the opposite of a traditional, ‘done up’ barn. In fact, its cracks and creaks are what makes this setting so charming. Adorn the old beams with fairy lights, dance the night away on the original floorboards, toast marshmallows on haybales next to the fire pit and sleep under the stars… You get the picture, it’s pretty dreamy!
Weekend Weddings at The Copse
Stylish and cosy with subtle Hygge vibes, The Copse at Wedding Weekends offers you the chance to relax and enjoy every inch of this secret hideaway in Oxfordshire. Despite its fantastic location, this blank canvas wedding venue is totally secluded, surrounded by flower meadows and stunning views. You can be as laidback as you like here, with the freedom to pick all of your suppliers and plan your special day. Let’s not forget the home-from-home comforts, including a hot tub, fire pits, a cinema room and plenty of lounge areas. It’s exclusive-use, so come and tie the knot in complete and utter privacy.