When you start looking at wedding venues, you will quickly notice that they fall into two broad categories: all-inclusive and dry hire. Both have genuine advantages, and the right choice depends on your priorities, your budget, and how much planning you want to take on.
This guide explains both models clearly so you can decide which approach suits you best.
What Is an All-Inclusive Wedding Venue?
An all-inclusive venue provides most of what you need for your wedding day as part of one package. This typically covers the venue hire, catering, drinks, staffing, and basic setup. Some also include things like table linen, centrepieces, a DJ, or a wedding coordinator.
The idea is that you deal with one supplier for the core elements of your day, rather than sourcing and managing several separate providers.
Pros of All-Inclusive Venues
- Simpler planning. One point of contact for the venue, food, and drinks means fewer emails, fewer contracts, and fewer things to coordinate.
- Predictable costs. You get a single quote or a per-head price that covers the essentials. This makes budgeting much more straightforward.
- Less stress on the day. The venue team manages the food, the bar, and the running order. You do not need to coordinate between multiple suppliers who may not have worked together before.
- Tried and tested. The catering team knows the kitchen, the staff know the layout, and everything has been done many times before. That experience counts when things need to run smoothly.
Cons of All-Inclusive Venues
- Less flexibility. You are usually limited to the venue’s own menu options, drinks list, and preferred suppliers. If you have a very specific vision that falls outside what they offer, there may be less room to customise.
- Potentially higher upfront cost. The headline price can look higher than a dry hire fee, though the total cost often balances out once you factor in everything a dry hire venue does not include.
What Is a Dry Hire Wedding Venue?
A dry hire venue provides the space and little else. You rent the building (or room) and then bring in your own caterers, bar staff, decorations, furniture, and sometimes even crockery and glassware.
Dry hire is popular with couples who want full creative control or who have specific suppliers they want to use.
Pros of Dry Hire Venues
- Maximum flexibility. You choose every element, from the food to the furniture. If you have a particular caterer, florist, or theme in mind, dry hire gives you the freedom to make it happen.
- Lower venue fee. The hire cost itself is usually cheaper because you are only paying for the space. This can be appealing if you have access to affordable suppliers or if friends and family are helping with catering and setup.
- A blank canvas. Some couples enjoy the creative process of transforming a space. Dry hire venues, particularly barns and warehouses, lend themselves to this approach.
Cons of Dry Hire Venues
- More work. You are effectively project-managing your wedding. Every supplier needs booking, briefing, and coordinating. Deliveries, setup times, and access all need arranging.
- Hidden costs add up. Once you price up external catering, bar hire, staffing, equipment rental, table linen, and cleaning, the total can match or exceed an all-inclusive package. Corkage fees, generator hire, and portaloo rental are common extras that catch couples off guard.
- More risk on the day. If your caterer is late or your bar supplier sends the wrong order, it is your problem to solve. At an all-inclusive venue, the team on site handles these issues as part of the service.
Who Suits Each Option?
All-inclusive works well if you:
- Want a straightforward planning process
- Prefer to focus on the personal touches rather than logistics
- Value having an experienced team running things on the day
- Want a clear, predictable budget from the start
Dry hire works well if you:
- Have a very specific creative vision
- Already know reliable suppliers you want to use
- Enjoy the planning process and are happy to coordinate multiple providers
- Have a strong support network willing to help with setup and teardown
A Practical Example
Consider a wedding for 80 guests. At an all-inclusive venue, you might pay £6,000 to £8,000 for venue, food, and drinks combined. At a dry hire venue, the hire fee might be £1,500, but add in catering (£3,000 to £4,000), bar and staffing (£1,500), furniture and equipment (£800), and cleaning (£300), and you are already at a similar figure, with more of your own time invested.
Neither model is inherently cheaper. The difference is in how the cost is structured and how much effort you put in yourself.
What About Venues That Blend Both?
Some venues offer elements of both models. They might include catering and a bar but let you choose your own entertainment, decorations, and other suppliers. This middle ground gives you the convenience of an all-inclusive core with some flexibility around the edges.
Bolton Masonic Hall follows this approach, with in-house catering by Burnt Fig and a fully licensed bar included, while couples are free to bring in their own florists, photographers, and entertainment. It keeps the essentials simple without limiting your personal choices.
Making Your Decision
Before choosing between all-inclusive and dry hire, make a full list of what you will need for your day. Get quotes for both approaches based on your actual guest count and requirements. Compare the total cost, the amount of planning involved, and how each option makes you feel. The right choice is the one that lets you enjoy both the planning and the day itself.
