Free wedding planning checklist

Dry Hire Wedding Checklist

A dry hire venue gives you the space, and you bring in everything else: food, drinks, furniture, music and styling. That freedom is wonderful, but it means more to organise. This checklist walks you through what to book and when, from 12 months out to the morning after.

Tick items off as you go, or download the free printable version to keep.

Download the printable checklist

Getting married somewhere else?

This checklist works for any dry hire venue

Everything here applies to any dry hire wedding, whether it's a farm, garden, winery or backyard. The notes marked "At Greenfield Acres" are specific to our venue in the Riverland, so skip those and check the details with your own venue.

What a dry hire venue usually includes

Ask your venue exactly what's included before you book. At Greenfield Acres, your hire includes:

Exclusive use of the property
A wooden arbour, signing table and two chairs
One portable toilet
Power on site, and shed lights after dark
Onsite guest parking
Supplier access to set up and pack down

12+ months before

Lock in the big things

Visit your venue and choose your package
Pay your deposit to secure your dateAt Greenfield AcresA 50% deposit secures your date, and we host one wedding per day.
Set your rough guest numbers and budget
Book your celebrant
Book your photographer, and a videographer if you'd like one
Book your caterer or food truckMost dry hire venues have no commercial kitchen, so choose a caterer who brings everything.

9 to 6 months before

Build your day

Bar: book bar service, and organise drinks, glassware and iceAt Greenfield AcresBYO alcohol is welcome.
Hire: tables, chairs, linen, crockery, cutlery and glassware
Weather plan: marquee, shade or heatingFor any outdoor wedding, have a backup ready to go.
Toilets: check how many you needYour hire company can tell you how many for your guest numbers.At Greenfield AcresOne portable toilet is included. Most weddings need more.
Lighting: festoons or lanterns for the reception and paths after dark
Music: a DJ or band, plus sound for your ceremony
Power: check what your suppliers need to plug inAsk your venue what power is available, and your DJ, caterer and lighting hire what they'll need. You may need a generator.At Greenfield AcresPower is available on site.
Book your florist and stylist
Book hair and make-up

Bride and groom by the lake at Greenfield Acres dry hire wedding venue

3 months before

Confirm the details

Pay your venue balanceAt Greenfield AcresYour balance is due 3 months before your wedding.
Confirm delivery and pick-up times with every hire supplierKeep them within your venue hire window.
Sort guest accommodation and transportAt Greenfield AcresWe're 2.5 hours from Adelaide and 1.5 hours from Mildura.
Send invitations with the venue address and parking details
Order your signage and welcome sign

1 to 2 months before

Plan it on site

Planning visit: walk through your venue at the same time of day as your ceremonySee where the sun and shade fall, choose your exact ceremony spot, and map out the reception, bar, food and hire items. Bring your stylist or hire company if you can.
Give final guest numbers to your caterer, bar and hire company
Send a day-of timeline to every supplier, including set-up and pack-up times
Plan your rubbish removalAt most dry hire venues, you take your rubbish with you.
Finish your seating plan

The week of

Nearly there

Rehearsal: run through your ceremony with your celebrant and bridal partyPractise the walk down the aisle and agree on your music cues.
Check the forecast and confirm your weather plan
Pack an emergency kit: sunscreen, insect repellent, water, an umbrella and a small first-aid kit
Share your venue's rules with your bridal party and suppliers

At Greenfield Acres: our farm, our home

Confetti: dried flowers or rice paper only
Smoking only in the area we show you
Our house, sheds, horse yards and paddocks are off limits
Please don't feed or approach the animals
Children supervised at all times, and the lake is off limits after dark unless arranged

Your wedding days

Set up, celebrate, pack up

Many dry hire venues give you the day before to set up and the day after to pack down. Times below are for Greenfield Acres' Twilight Ceremony & Reception (3-day hire).

Day before

Set up

Hire company, stylist and florist set up
Check the marquee, lighting and power before dark

Wedding day

Celebrate

Ceremony, golden-hour photos and reception
Music finishes at 11pm
Guests leave by 11:30pm

Day after

Pack up

Collect your belongings and hire items
Rubbish removed
Everything off the property by 1pm

Riverland wedding suppliers

Suppliers we love

Planning a wedding in the Riverland, South Australia? These local suppliers know Greenfield Acres and do beautiful work.

Celebrant

Chloe Tornow Celebrant
Kiara Ashlee
Hayley Ramsay

Catering

Riverside Woodfired Pizzas
Salt & Pepper
Leftys Greek Street Eats
Jimmy's Cruisin Kitchen

Bars & drinks

Little Vintage Bar and Van
Sip & Tow

Hire

Occasions Events

Music & entertainment

After Dark Entertainment
DJ Lucas Hocking

Flowers

Flowers by Jodie Lee
Riverside Wildflowers
Coco and Honey Flower Farm
Renmark Flower House

Hair & make-up

Blush Barre
Glow Hair and Makeup by Rochelle
Pure Skin
The Original Brow
My Stylist
Jarah's Hair

Photography & video

Benny Wylde
Good Lovin (Billie)
Kiara Lee Photography
Fleeting Photo + Film

Dry hire wedding questions

What is a dry hire wedding venue?

A dry hire venue rents you the space only. You arrange your own catering, bar, furniture, styling and entertainment, which gives you full control over your suppliers and budget.

Can we bring our own alcohol to a dry hire wedding?

Many dry hire venues allow BYO alcohol, but always check with your venue first. Greenfield Acres welcomes BYO alcohol.

What do we need to hire for a dry hire wedding?

Usually tables, chairs, linen, crockery, cutlery, glassware, lighting, extra toilets and a marquee or weather backup. Check what your venue already provides so you don't double up.

How far ahead should we book suppliers?

Book your venue, celebrant, photographer and caterer 12 months or more ahead, especially for spring and autumn weekends. Hire, bar and music can usually be booked 6 to 9 months out.