Welcome back to another Bodleian Weddings Blog! If you’re already clicked around on our website, you will have seen the words “Dry hire venue” used to describe our venue hire. But what exactly does this mean? In this journal, we’ll tell you exactly what “Dry hire venue” means and the perks of picking a dry hire venue for your wedding.
The term “Dry hire” means that you are only hiring the venue space. In the case of the Bodleian, this means that you are only hiring the rooms of the Convocation House and Divinity School. So, when budgeting and planning your wedding, you’ll need to consider catering, furniture, floristry and other suppliers.
Luckily, unlike other dry hire venues the Bodleian already has two fantastic partners who work with us to bring you a day to remember. This is Oxford Fine Dining and THAT Event Company.
Oxford Fine Dining for over ten years have catered for a whole host of weddings across Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds. Whether it is an elegant three-course meal or a low-key buffet, this incredible team works to ensure that your day goes off without a hitch! If you need any more convincing, then do have a read of the interview we had with Melissa, Oxford Fine Dining’s dedicated Wedding and Events Director where she explains the service Oxford Fine Dining provides for couples all the way up to the wedding day.
THAT Event Company are our AV & Lighting suppliers, if you’ve seen pictures of our Divinity School at night, those fantastic uplighters and magical colours would not be possible without them! They are also on hand to help with mics and sound checking, to avoid any embarrassing scenarios during the best man’s speech or when the band starts to play. If you really want to get your wedding party started, THAT Event Company can supply you with a whole host of extras and accessories. Disco balls, fairy lights, dance floors, and more – all of these are available to create an evening your guests will not forget.
But – the biggest perk of picking a dry hire venue is the creative freedom you have in planning your big day! So do think of the Bodleian as your blank canvas when you’re looking at mood boards, magazines or social media for inspiration. Speaking of which, our Instagram is regularly updated with not only images of our stunning venue but also real pictures of weddings in the Bodleian and information about our fantastic suppliers.
No worries if you haven’t found your dream florist or favourite cake baker, we have a fantastic list of recommended suppliers who will be able to help you for your big day. All of these suppliers have worked within the Bodleian spaces, are based locally, and know what to suggest or give an experienced look over at any ideas you may have.
Also, another big perk to picking a dry hire venue is having much more control over your budget. You can choose and compare suppliers, gathering quotes and then settling on a price which works best for your wedding. Plus, if you’re very lucky and happen to have a friend who maybe knows their way around a camera or perhaps is a dab hand with a whisk, you could potentially already have a photographer and a cake baker already lined up!
So do not let the words “dry hire” put you off from booking the Bodleian as your wedding venue. There are plenty of perks of picking a dry hire venue, most importantly the freedom to create the wedding you would like!
Before you leave just yet, the Bodleian Wedding Team would also like to wish you a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year – see you in 2024!
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