Not all events need the full list of facilities that a venue offers. If you’re doing a photo shoot, for instance, you might only be interested in the space and lighting fixtures. But if you were hosting a board meeting, having those extra services—like catering and an on-site host—would be quite useful.
That’s where the terms “dry hire” and “wet hire” come in. They describe different types of hire packages depending on the service level you’re looking for. Here’s what to know about them.
Contents
What is dry hire?
Advantages of dry hire
What is wet hire?
Advantages of wet hire
Dry vs wet hire: which is best for me?
What is dry hire?
Dry hire is when you rent the space itself, without any additional support or services from the venue. You would bring in everything you need yourself, including:
- Food and drink
- Light or sound equipment (beyond the building’s standard fittings)
- Styling
- Production crew/events staff
- Bar services and alcohol (sometimes this can be licensed under the building’s premise licence)
- Insurance
For some venues, dry hire packages include some extras. At Kindred, we offer an on-site events manager to help throughout the booking. We also offer restaurant takeovers if you want to bring in your own chefs or caterers.
Advantages of dry hire
A dry hire arrangement tends to suit events where you have specialist equipment or styling requirements, and/or have the staff and suppliers to manage things yourself. Brand activations, film and photo shoots, and DIY weddings could all fall into this category.
The pros of dry hire include:
- Cost savings – it’s generally cheaper to hire just the events space rather than the full package of services on offer
- Flexibility – you get to decide which suppliers and crews to use, and can change things up as you like
- Control – you control everything about the event, from how things are set up (though some venues may have some restrictions on what you can do) through to how service runs
Good to know: with dry hire, you often have to arrange insurance yourself. You, not the venue, are generally responsible for ensuring the event runs safely.
Wondering if dry hire is right for you? Learn more about dry hire at Kindred to get an idea of what’s on offer.
What is wet hire?
What about wet hire? Well, it’s the opposite of dry hire: you rent the venue along with all the services it offers. That includes things like catering, bar service, and staff, but also an events manager to help ensure the day runs smoothly. It comes at a higher cost but takes a lot of work off your plate.
Advantages of wet hire
If your event has a lot of moving parts, or you don’t have the time or expertise to pull it all off yourself, wet hire may be the option for you. For instance, if you’re hosting a large conference across multiple spaces or a private party with live music.
Some of the benefits of wet hire are:
- Expertise and quality – you can rely on the venue’s experience and suppliers to deliver a high standard of service
- Convenience – wet hire means you have to do much less work. You won’t need to think about sourcing staff or stocking the bar, for instance
- Peace of mind – everything is taken care of for you. Your events manager will handle the heavy lifting so you can focus on the fun parts of hosting
At Kindred, we can help you sort everything from the perfect wine list to entertainment your guests will love. Get in touch with our events team to learn more.
Dry vs wet hire: which is best for me?
And now, the burning question: what type of hire package is best for you? It really depends on the type of event you’re running and what sort of in-house capabilities you have.
Dry hire may be the right fit if:
- If you want complete creative control over the space*
- You have specialist equipment
- You already have the staff and skills needed to run the event
- You don’t need any of the services beyond space hire, for instance if you’re doing a photoshoot
*Some venues have restrictions on what you can do in terms of décor. For instance, Kindred is a Grade II listed building—we have original wall panelling from the 18th century and other period features. Most decorations are fine, but there are a few provisos. For example, we ask that you avoid use of anything that damages our historic woodwork or walls. Ask our team for more information.
And wet hire may be best if:
- You don’t have the equipment or staff needed for the event
- You don’t have the necessary supplier relationships in place
- Your event is complex and you have specific requirements you need help with
- You prefer to have everything taken care of, so you can focus on your guests
Your next event belongs at Kindred
Whether you’re hosting a 100-person conference or a launch for your new product, Kindred has the space and events package to suit.
We’re a Grade II listed Baroque mansion, right in the heart of Hammersmith. We’re a much-loved West London wedding venue, conference space, and private event venue.
Dry hire is available for our entire building, or for individual spaces within it. Our first-floor signature space, The Hall, is suited for larger events of up to 150 (standing). It’s a popular choice for film and editorial photo shoots needing a unique interior.
There’s also the Library and Salon Bar, which can hold up to 80 standing together. These spaces are perfect for private parties, podcast and interview recordings, as well as photo shoots.
You can also hire our ground-floor restaurant for a kitchen takeover or private dining. It’s an ideal setting for any shoots needing a restaurant backdrop.
Take a look at our events brochure to read more about our hire packages. Or, get in touch with our team and tell us what you have in mind.
