Skip to main content

The Ultimate Wedding Marquee Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Are you thinking of planning a marquee wedding?

Planning a wedding can be a daunting task. There are so many things to think about, and it seems like the list of things to do just keeps getting longer!

One of the biggest decisions that you will have to make is whether it’s going to be a marquee wedding!

Hiring a marquee can provide the perfect setting for your big day, and they can be customised to fit your specific needs. In this guide, we will discuss everything you need to know about hiring a wedding marquee.

Helpful Links

9 Things to do after you Get Engaged
Wedding table and Seating Plan: The Ultimate Guide

Things to consider when hiring a marquee

When it comes down to it, there are 11 main things you need to think about when planning your marquee wedding. Yes, ELEVEN!!

These include the marquee size depending on the number of guests, and style, lighting, flooring, heating, power supply, toilets, catering and bar! Get those sorted and the rest will easily fall into place. But if you’re not sure where to start, here’s a quick guide to help you out.

1. Size

Make sure your marquee is large enough for your guests and that it will fit in your chosen location.

2. Style

Marquees come in all shapes and sizes, so make sure you choose one that suits your wedding theme.

3. Lighting

This is one of the most important aspects of a marquee, so make sure you ask about all the lighting options available so you can choose the right lighting to create the perfect ambience for your wedding.

4. Flooring/Dance Floor

You need to make sure you have the right flooring for your location. Do you require a hard floor/wooden flooring or could you use matting? Marquee dance floors are usually very sturdy structures. They need to be! After all the dance floor has to be dance-ready for the first dance.

5. Heating

Make sure you choose the right heating for your marquee size to keep your guests comfortable.

6. Seating

You need to make sure you have enough seating for your guests and that it’s comfortable. You may also want to plan a chill-out area with comfortable seating for elderly guests.

7. Tables

Make sure you have enough dining tables for your guests and that they are the right size. Do you want round tables or long banquet tables? You may also want to plan a sweetie table or a photo booth area.

8. Power supply

Many marquee companies will recommend hiring a generator.

9. Toilets

This is an important one! Make sure you have enough toilets for your guests and treat them like VIPs with luxury toilet hire. It is advised to book three months in advance to reduce the chance of disappointment!

10. Catering tent

This is a must-have if you’re planning on having a sit-down meal. Make sure you choose the right catering station for your caterer’s needs. If you are unsure ask them to contact your marquee company they will ask the right questions making sure they have absolutely everything they need.

And finally,

11. Bar

Don’t forget the all-important bar! Make sure you have enough space for a bar and that it’s well-stocked. Your wedding bar has an important job to do and that’s to keep your guests refreshed and their glasses full!

Choosing the right marquee or tipi

We will talk about the different types of marquees available, how to choose the right one for your day, and what you need to consider when planning a marquee wedding. Let’s get started!

The Traditional Marquee

The traditional marquee still remains the most popular choice for weddings. They are typically made from canvas or PVC they feature guy ropes, elegant peaked roofs and wooden internal poles. They offer a classic ‘country fayre’ vibe and can be decorated to suit your theme; they are spacious and airy, making them perfect for a summer wedding.

Steph and Luke’s Day

A marquee in a field with a view that took their breath away! Steph and Luke wanted freedom, informality and delicious food. A place where the children they were inviting could run around, somewhere everyone could just relax and be outdoors. Having chosen the perfect location with stunning views, they needed a marquee and chose Absolute Canvas.

Couples Quote!

“Absolute Canvas were the best.”If they could do it, they would, and our marquee was fantastic everyone loved it, and it worked with our field and the view incredibly well.”

The Modern Clear Span Marquee

Clearspan or ‘frame’ marquees don’t have interior poles or guy ropes because, unlike a traditional/pole marquee, they are held up by a strong aluminium frame.

Clearspan marquees can be interlocked to cater for awkward shaped sites or simply to create the many different areas you require, such as the bar and a chill-out area.

Rebecca and Simon’s Day

Rebecca and Simon chose Hatch marquees because of their clear-span options. They wanted to still feel like they were outside amongst the beautiful natural surroundings no matter the weather.

The Clear Roof Marquee

When it comes to creating a unique space for a marquee wedding, the clear-roof marquee is a perfect choice. Fully clear roof marquees look amazing inside and out and can certainly create a ‘wow’ factor! And Hatch Marquees are the clear roof specialists! Not only do they create an impressive light, airy, stylish space they also put you in the heart of your scenery. All the features of your chosen venue, the beautiful beach or the countryside view become a part of your day.

Tipis

A tipi could be a perfect choice if you’re looking for something a little different. Tipis, also known as Kåtas, originate from Sweden and are designed to withstand the elements all year round. The sides of the Giant Hat Tipis can be raised in the summer to bring the outside in or to admire the panoramic views of your chosen location.

Wild Tipi

With Tipi’s, you can mix and match with the big Kåtas and smaller Kungsörnens and get creative with your unique spaces! Hygge! Tipis are great for winter weddings – you can create a cosy atmosphere in winter with the sides down, fire pits and twinkly lighting. Smaller tipis, known as Kungsörnens, add a unique space when joined to a series of larger Giant Hat Tipis.

Katrina and Nick’s Day

Sam and Tim at Wild Tipi worked tirelessly to create the perfect space for their wedding reception, going massively above and beyond in giving up their time and energy over many months.

Couples Quote

“Some of the kindest people I’ve ever met, and I’ll be forever grateful to them.”

Stretch-Tents

Think outside the tent! Lightweight structures created in South Africa, the stretch tent is a versatile and modern way to create an indoor/outdoor experience for your wedding. It can be erected on hard or uneven ground, making it perfect for any location.

Sperry tent

Sperry or Sailcloth tents are examples of fine American craftsmanship and are perfect for special occasions. The canopies are made from genuine sailcloth, inside there are hand-milled wooden poles which provide an elegant touch. But it doesn’t stop at just looking good outside; the high roofs inside offer a luxurious, open feeling.

Peter and Tom’s Day

The dream wedding location. Having grown up in St Agnes, Peter has always loved the nearby cliffs at St Agnes Head. Having shared many walks with Tom across the cliffs between the coves and beaches, amongst the Cornish wildflowers, in the sun and sea spray. Newdowns Farm offer fields overlooking the sea and heathland. A remote location, but it was their dream wedding location. They chose Sperry Tents for their elegant, natural and nautical style every marquee is constructed from sailcloth fabric. They also chose to have festoon lighting too, which they loved.

The benefits of having a marquee

It’s the ultimate blank canvas, at any size! You can choose the location, the size and the furniture and fittings giving you complete control and flexibility over your day. You can make your marquee a real statement piece that will set your wedding apart from others!

Your marquee will be totally unique to you and your wedding day. It can be styled to match your theme and decor, whether it’s rustic and country chic or glamorous and modern. You can even have a marquee that’s traditional white with fairy lights for a romantic feel.

Marquees are also great for larger weddings. If you’re planning on having a large number of guests, then a marquee is the ideal choice as it can be adapted to any size. Plus, most marquees often come with extras like heating and lighting so you can keep your guests comfortable no matter the weather!

So if you’re looking for something different for your wedding day, then why not consider a marquee? It could be the perfect choice.

How to decorate your marquee

There are a few things you need to consider when decorating your marquee:

– The height of the marquee
– The size of the marquee

The height and size will dictate how big or small your decorations can be. If you have a high ceiling, you can go for larger decorations like lanterns or floral installations. If you have a low ceiling, smaller decorations like fairy lights or balloons might be a better option.

Once you have these factors in mind, you can start thinking about what kind of decorations you want. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

– Lanterns
– Fairy lights
– Flowers
– Balloons

If you have a large marquee, you can go for a more dramatic look with lots of lights and flowers. If you have a smaller marquee, simplicity might be key to avoid looking too cluttered.

No matter what size or height your marquee is, there are plenty of ways to decorate it to make it look amazing. Lanterns, fairy lights, flowers, balloons, and banners are all great options. Just make sure to choose decorations that fit with the overall theme of your wedding. And most importantly – have fun!

Of course, you don’t have to limit yourself to just these ideas. Get creative and see what you can come up with! Just make sure that your decorations fit the overall theme of your wedding. If you’re unsure where to start, plenty of resources are available online and in wedding magazines. You can also ask your friends or family members for their opinion.

With a little bit of planning, you can easily turn your marquee into a beautiful and unforgettable setting for your big day. So get started today and make your dream wedding a reality!

Helpful Link

Wedding Decor Hire and Styling
On the day Wedding Coordinators: What they can do for you.

floral installation Inspiration!

The theme was born out of Rebecca’s Jenny Packham wedding dress – a Midsummer Night’s Dream. Big multicoloured flowers with lots of foliage, rose gold sequin table cloths and rose gold sequin bridesmaid dresses.

“Anna is truly so talented as she listened to what I wanted and she came up with incredible ideas. The colours were so stunning and the centrepieces and bouquets were so much bigger than we thought and it really worked! Mesmerising! Without her, our wedding wouldn’t have been as magical.”

How much does it cost to hire a marquee?

It’s very difficult to say what marquees typically cost, marquee hire prices depend on so many factors. The size and style of marquee you require for example a basic unlined marquee would save money. Your chosen location must be taken into consideration too, does it have easy access? And the many other added extras you will need such as lighting, flooring and heating etc.

Breaking down marquee hire prices – some marquee hire companies offer packages that make the cost much more affordable. The next stage is to contact your shortlist of marquee companies to discuss your requirements and they will provide you with their marquee hire prices – a cost tailored to you.

If you have any questions, be sure to ask your marquee company for advice. They should be able to help you with everything from choosing the right size to finding the perfect location and more.

So, should you hire a marquee for your wedding?

If you want to have complete control over the look and feel of your wedding day, then the answer is yes! Marquee weddings can be tailored to fit your exact specifications, can be a great way to add some extra glamour to your big day, and with the help of our featured suppliers, you can create a truly unique event.

eeek! Features only the best marquee companies in Cornwall helping you to find what you need on your special day

Finding the right marquee hire company for you. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best marquee hire companies in Cornwall so that you can find the perfect one for your wedding. Take a look and start planning your dream wedding today!

Happy Planning!

Receive helpful tips on all things wedding planning related plus help finding local suppliers, venues and photographers
Sign up for our newletter now!