Why Choose Prested Hall for Your Dry Hire Wedding?

Prested Hall is one of the most sought-after wedding venues in Essex, offering charm, flexibility, and stunning surroundings. With its mix of indoor and outdoor spaces, including an elegant Orangery and a spacious marquee, Prested Hall is the best wedding venue in Essex for couples seeking a completely personalised celebration.

Whether you’re planning a vibrant Asian wedding or a traditional English ceremony, dry hire gives you the freedom to design your day your way — and Prested Hall offers the perfect blank canvas to do it.

Step-by-Step: Planning a Dry Hire Wedding at Prested Hall

Step 1: Secure Your Date & Venue Walkthrough

Once you’ve fallen in love with Prested Hall (which won’t take long), the first step is to secure your wedding date. Dry hire bookings are popular, especially for summer and autumn weddings, so booking in advance is essential.

Tip: Arrange a walkthrough with the events team to get a feel for the space and discuss how it can be customised to suit your cultural or family traditions.

Step 2: Choose Your Caterer

Whether you’re looking for a Halal caterer for an Asian wedding, a fully vegan spread, or a classic British menu, you can bring your own professional caterers when you book Prested Hall on a dry hire basis.

What to Look for in a Caterer:

• Experience with dry hire setups
• Familiarity with large-scale or cultural weddings
• Compliance with food safety and insurance regulations

Prested Hall also has a recommended supplier list that includes high-quality, vetted caterers, including those familiar with Gujarati, Punjabi, and other Asian cuisines.

Step 3: Select Your Decor Team

Your wedding aesthetic is where your personality shines. Whether you’re planning an elaborate mandap ceremony, a minimalist modern theme, or a floral garden-style wedding, dry hire lets you design every detail.

Don’t Forget:

• Chairs and tables
• Draping, florals & mandap structures
• Stage setups & centrepieces
• Lighting and AV requirements

Step 4: Bar Services & Drinks

With dry hire, you can bring your own alcohol or hire mobile bar services. This can significantly reduce costs and lets you include traditional drinks, mocktails, or cultural beverages for your guests.

Key Questions to Ask:

• Will bar staff be provided?
• Can they handle high-volume service for larger weddings?
• Are they licensed to serve alcohol?

Step 5: Hire Key Suppliers & Vendors

Here’s a handy checklist of essential suppliers to secure early in the process:

• Photographer/Videographer
• DJ or Live Band
• Celebrant or Officiant
• Hair & Makeup Artist
• Transportation Providers
• Security (if needed for larger celebrations)

For Asian weddings in particular, consider including:

• Dhol players, Bhangra teams, or Sitarists
• Henna artists for pre-wedding events
• Traditional performers or entertainers

Step 6: Logistics & Timeline Planning

Planning a dry hire wedding means managing the logistics of the day, including setup and breakdown, vendor access times, and deliveries.

Questions to Ask Prested Hall:

• When can suppliers begin setting up?
• Is there storage available before or after the event?
• Are there designated prep spaces for caterers?

The Prested Hall event team will provide support with timelines and recommend trusted logistics partners if needed.

Step 7: Accommodation for Your Guests

With 20 beautiful bedrooms onsite, Prested Hall is ideal for multi-day weddings or for offering a luxurious overnight stay to close family and friends. Early booking is recommended to ensure availability.

Bonus: Guests can also enjoy the gym, and swimming facilities, making it a mini getaway.

Bonus: Make the Most of Prested’s Grounds

With 75 acres of Essex parkland, there’s space for stunning outdoor ceremonies, family portraits, and pre-wedding festivities. Dry hire doesn’t mean compromise — Prested Hall allows full use of its gardens and marquee, making it one of the best venues in Essex for bespoke weddings.

A Venue That Understands Every Kind of Wedding

Whether you’re planning a Hindu wedding, Muslim Nikah, Sikh Anand Karaj, or a civil ceremony followed by a festive reception, Prested Hall is a venue that celebrates all cultures and traditions.

Its flexible dry hire policy allows you to:

• Respect religious or dietary needs
• Work with vendors you trust
• Maintain full creative control of your celebration

Final Thoughts

Choosing dry hire at Prested Hall means freedom, flexibility, and full creative control over your wedding. From food to decor, and music to memories — everything is yours to design. With the perfect venue and this planning checklist in hand, your dream day is only a few decisions away.