Marquees give you total flexibility in wedding planning. Even if you aren't planning a marquee wedding, this year a lot of couples will hire a marquee simply to increase the space available at their venue to allow for additional guests, whilst remaining within government restrictions.
More often, marquees are the preferred choice for those planning a traditional church wedding followed by a reception at home or in a rented field. From circus tents, tipis and yurts to more traditional pole tents, stretch marquees and huge clearspan structures, marquees can fit into surprisingly small spaces and give you the flexibility to choose your own timetable and suppliers. Here's everything you need to know about marquee weddings:
You would usually only need to speak to a marquee company if you are planning a full marquee wedding. However, in 2021 and 2022 couples are speaking to marquee companies to get extra flexibility for weddings in almost any type of country wedding venue.
- Adding a marquee within the grounds allows more guests to attend the wedding reception, as long as it remains within the current government limitations.
- A simple stretch marquee gives shelter from sun or rain so that guests can be outside
- Marquee companies can provide structures for your band and an open-air dance floor
- You may want to offer additional hand washing and toilet facilities for your guests
Why have a marquee wedding?
There are many benefits to having a marquee venue for your wedding day. First and foremost, a marquee gives you full control and flexibility over your day. Marquees are the ultimate blank canvas, so you can decide exactly how you want your wedding to be and make it unique to you. You can choose your own furniture, fittings and lighting to style it any way you like.
Marquees are the perfect option for socially-distanced weddings, allowing more flexibility on space for you and your guests. You have the ability to increase and decrease the size of the marquee just days before the event.
Without time restrictions, you and your guests can party all night and many couples opt to keep their celebrations continuing all weekend.
Although the cost of hiring a marquee may be more than hiring a budget venue, there are savings elsewhere. You'll have total flexibility to choose caterers and the style of catering. Corkage charges, to chill and serve the wine, tend to be much lower through catering companies than at venues.
If you don't have a suitable garden
If you don't have access to a suitable garden, don't be put off. Plenty of farmers and landowners are happy to rent a suitable field and some have thriving businesses from setting up marquees and glamping tents for the summer months for weddings. Some wedding venues are happy to hire out parts of their grounds away from their main venue and may even offer catering from their kitchens. If you know someone who has hosted a wedding in the past at home it is worth asking if they'd consider hiring out their garden (and possibly even their home) for the weekend; many small wedding venues started up that way! The final option is to ask a local marquee company. Most have a list of places that they can put up their marquee.
What do I need to consider if I want a marquee wedding?
Time of year
Spring and summer marquee weddings are the most popular due to the better weather. However, more and more people are considering Autumn and Winter marquee weddings, especially during October and March. In the colder months, from November to February, the cost of heaters to keep your guests warm and wooden floors to prevent high heels sinking into damp ground can offset any savings from choosing an off-peak date. The exception is for those wanting a really large wedding. Marquee companies can be much more competitive on price for really big, elaborate structures during the Winter.
Catering logistics
One of the big advantages of a marquee wedding is being able to choose your own outside wedding caterer. You'll need to hire a separate catering tent in addition to the main marquee, with space for social distancing within the tent. Your catering company will need access to water, so think about this when looking at where to put the marquee. If it's in your garden or at a venue this won't be a problem. However, if it is more remote, you may have to provide the caterers with water.
Toilets
Portable toilet units designed for social events are spacious and nicely decorated. This can provide a bit of luxury for you and your guests, even in the middle of a field. You'll probably want trailer toilets, rather than the individual mobile toilets used on building sites, unless you are on a very tight budget. These have separate ladies and gents flushing toilets with proper basins, towels, mirrors and even a vase of flowers!
We'd also recommend hiring attendants to wipe down door locks, handles and other touch points between guests. You could also think about putting the toilets inside a separate marquee to stop guests getting wet if it's a rainy day. If you are hiring a marquee site at a venue, check if you have access to the inside toilets or if you need to hire some.
Handwashing facilities
Portable toilet units only have space for one or two guests at a time, however, some suppliers can supply freestanding hand washing stations to hire. They don't need any plumbing or electricity so can go anywhere.
Electricity
Caterers, heating, lighting, music, portable toilet trailers - your wedding reception will need electricity! Venues with a dedicated marquee site in their grounds will have a separate electrical circuit set up and will include connection in their fees. If you're in your own garden, you may be able to run extensions from the house. But this is only if the marquee is very close to the house, you have space capacity on the electrical circuit and your pawer requirements are minimal. It's best to check with an electrician in advance.
In most cases, it makes sense to hire a generator through your marquee company as they will set it up and connect the catering tent and lighting for you. They'll need to know how much power your band and caterers will need and whether they'll both be using the power at the same time, in order to calculate the right size generator.
Access and parking
Your marquee company will arrange a site visit before quoting so they can see the space they have to work with and if there are any obstacles or access issues that will make the marquee set up difficult.
For your wedding day, you'll need to make sure your chosen marquee site is well signposted, especially if it is in a field without a reliable postcode! Consider parking for both your guests and your suppliers. Suppliers will need to park right beside the marquee to unload. If you are asking guests to park in a field, think about whether you can also offer a drop-off point for those wearing heels.
What types of marquees can I choose for my wedding?
From stretch tents to big tops, yurts to Bedouin tents, there is something for every theme and budget. Whether you're wanting your marquee to fill a small garden or large field, marquees are available in all shapes and sizes. This allows lots of flexibility with guest lists, location and design. The most basic flooring is standard coconut matting, however, there is always room for adding that personal touch. Whether you opt for carpet, elegant tiles or a disco dance floor – the choice is yours!
Traditional marquees
Traditional marquees are made up of canvas sides, pretty curved tops and inner poles to give the marquee shape and stability. They are anchored down by pegs, and so are normally restricted to soft grassy areas. They'll need enough space around them for pegging down. We love this gorgeous round marquee from Spaceintense!
Frame/clear span marquees
These classic rectangular-shaped tents have no inner poles. They are built on a strong frame and are the most popular choice for very large weddings with extra sections being added to get to the desired size. They need no extra space around them, so they're also great for smaller spaces or as an extension to an existing wedding venue.
Chinese hat marquees
Also known as Pagodas or Canopy Marquees, these are small tents with pointy tops and open sides. They are perfect for entrance covers, as a cover for an outdoor humanist wedding ceremony or to give shade or shelter for a garden drinks reception. You can also combine several of these to make a larger marquee space.
Stretch tents
Stretch tents are incredibly flexible and can be made into nearly any shape you want. They can also look very modern and sleek. The wide option of openings makes them great for letting the summer breeze through. Again, these need to be pegged down and so require extra space around them.
Yurts
Yurts are traditionally circular in shape, with a beautiful timber frame. Many yurt structures are self-supporting, but some of the larger ones need interior poles to help support the roof. With their unique looks, they are perfect for boho and festival themed weddings.
Tipis
Tipis are also a very popular choice for weddings, and with an open side, they allow a cohesiveness between the interior and exterior. They have a very relaxed eco feel to them. For small weddings or as a central point for a festival themed wedding, a single large tipi may be sufficient. But, if you prefer, two or more can be combined for a larger wedding reception. Both yurts and tipis are sturdy enough to withstand the British weather all year round.
Image courtesy of Forest Edge Tipis
Forest Edge Tipis provide authentic sustainably sourced Nordic canvas tipis for weddings. You can set these stunning tipis in places such as; secluded woodlands, wild meadow fields, rolling countryside views or organic sustainable farms.
Using a marquee company to dress a barn or village hall
If you are considering a wedding in an unattractive agricultural barn, sports hall, village hall or community centre, make use of the 'venue dressing' services that many marquee companies offer. Essentially, they will dress your chosen venue location and transform it to look like a marquee interior. This is great for couples who might have a smaller budget, as you get the effect of being in a marquee but at a much lower cost. This is also a great solution for a Winter wedding.
How much does a wedding marquee cost?
The price of a wedding marquee varies considerably depending on the type you want, the size of the marquee, the number of wedding guests, etc. Basic marquees structures without linings and flooring can start from as little as £400.
We recently surveyed several marquee companies across the UK. Prices for a 'typical' marquee wedding varied widely across the businesses from £1,250 - £11,000, with the average cost just over £4500. This includes flooring, furniture and other extras. Many couples having a marquee wedding find the cost is lower than anticipated and had previously been put off by hearing about prices from the elaborate, extravagant marquees used for celebrity weddings. These can cost over £100,000 to construct and fit out.
We recommend getting quotes from more than one wedding marquee company. Prices vary so much depending on the type of marquee and fittings so it can be hard to get comparable quotes. The ideal is to get approximate prices from 3-4 companies, to establish who is the right fit for your budget. Ask just two to do a site visit to confirm their quote and make suggestions on the options you might need.
How big does the wedding marquee need to be?
The size of your wedding marquee depends on a number of factors. If you have chosen a clear span marquee it is easy to have part of the marquee sectioned off, to allow separate areas for the wedding breakfast and dancing and entertainment. You'll need to think about how many wedding guests will attend, whether you want any extra socialising space, and if you'd like space for dance floors, bar or lounge areas.
Marquees are perfect for socially-distanced weddings, as you and your guests will have much more space. We currently do not know how large weddings will be allowed to be, but you will almost certainly need to allow for social distancing measures. Your marquee company should be able to advise on the size needed.
Image courtesy ABC Pavilions & Marquees
Where can the wedding marquee be located?
Anywhere you like, within reason! The most cost-effective option is on flat, level, well-drained ground with good access. Farmer's fields can be ideal. If you have flower and shrub borders on the marquee site it isn't a problem; they will become a feature within the marquee. Speak to your marquee company about larger trees as they may be able to work around them. If the marquee is built on a tennis court, riding arena or car park, you'll need weights rather than pegs to secure it. Additionally, if it is already on a solid base, flooring is less expensive and you'll notice there is less condensation.
If the ground isn't level, a flat platform can be constructed under the marquee, raising it above the ground or even creating additional space. This same technique is used in the USA with breathtaking results, positioning marquees above lakes and on rocky cliff edges.
[photo: Alcott Weddings]
Can I have a marquee as an extension to my wedding venue?
Yes! Having a marquee extension to your wedding venue can help with social distancing and means you can easily separate any vulnerable wedding guests if need be. The perfect place for your wedding marquee is in the beautiful grounds or gardens of a wedding venue, where you can maximise the use of outdoor space. The clear sides of this wedding marquee gives great views across the venue gardens.
Are marquees suitable for a Winter wedding?
Marquees are beautiful all year round, so no matter what season your wedding is in, you can find the perfect marquee to suit your needs. In the colder months, you'll need heaters to keep you and your guests warm. Play around with beautiful lighting solutions for when the sun goes down; a well lit marquee is simply breathtaking. April and October are favourite months for a marquee wedding, for those "in the know", as prices are competitive and the weather is often beautiful.
How can I decorate a marquee for my wedding?
A marquee is the ultimate blank canvas for your wedding day. Whether you are dreaming of a Moroccan themed lounge or a fairy-lit wonderland, marquees enable you to get creative with your decor and styling. You'll be amazed at just how luxurious today's range of marquees can be made to look.
The atmosphere is dependent on what kind of lighting you choose and how it ties in with your day. For a country affair, fairy lights, festoon lighting or lanterns are excellent options. On the other hand, for a big elaborate wedding, large decorative chandeliers and coloured up-lighters create an incredible atmosphere. For the wow-factor on the dance floor, think about starlight ceilings and wall linings which also look amazing in photos!
Think about how to personalise the marquee to make it perfect for you. Whether you decide on elaborate centrepieces or something more simple, the decoration should reflect you as a couple. Don't be afraid to try something new and take advice from your wedding suppliers who will be full of ideas for personalising your marquee to suit your tastes.
Image courtesy of Crystal Marquee Hire
This marquee from Crystal Marquee Hire shows a vintage theme. Featuring beautiful florals and vintage frames to display the seating plan. As this decor has covered the roof and sides it is important to think about the lighting on the inside. Crystal Marquee Hire offer a range of colour schemes and linens to cater for the bride and groom's wants.
How does catering work at a marquee wedding?
One of the advantages of a marquee wedding is being able to choose your own outside wedding caterer. Wedding catering can be a large cost at a wedding venue and you won't have much choice. However, if you have a marquee wedding, the catering options are endless! During the Coronavirus pandemic, you'll need to consider social distancing and how that will affect your wedding breakfast. For example, buffets will likely not be allowed to take place because of the risk to you and your wedding guests. However, pre-plated meals, hog roasts, barbecues or food vans could be a great option. You could even provide your guests with picnic blankets and cushions for a fun, outdoor, socially-distanced wedding breakfast!
[photo: Alcott Weddings]
Unless using food vans, your wedding caterers will need to set up a mobile kitchen on trestle tables in a catering tent, and will usually bring a refrigerated van. This will usually be the end of the wedding marquee which has been partitioned off. If your wedding marquee is on-site at an existing wedding venue, speak to the venue to check if your caterers will be allowed to use the kitchen inside. Some marquee companies also offer catering services.
Caterers will usually provide you with a cost per head, based on a range of menus. It's important to ask the wedding caterer whether that cost also covers their staffing, crockery, equipment, tables, chairs and linen. With uncertainty over numbers, some catering companies may change their pricing structure to charge for their fixed overheads, such as staffing and kitchen equipment, separately from their price per person. It's a good idea to speak to several different caterers to find your perfect wedding menu, at a price that fits your budget.
Image: Orange Beach Bars
Many couples also want to have a bar inside the marquee for ease of access. Orange Beach Bars are a fantastic choice with over 30 years of hospitality experience and an award-winning team! Their two bars look amazing inside a marquee, and can be adapted to your perfectly match your wedding theme. You can also use your wedding bar as a cocktail bar or a prosecco bar, with rows of champagne flutes ready for your guests to enjoy!
Can I have my civil ceremony in a marquee?
In England and Wales, your legal wedding ceremony needs to take place in a permanent structure that is licensed to perform civil ceremonies. This means you won't be able to legally get married in a temporary marquee. You can have a celebrant-led wedding ceremony in a marquee to exchange rings and vows, but this is not legally binding.
How to plan overnight accommodation for a marquee wedding
If your wedding marquee is on-site at an existing wedding venue that has overnight accommodation, it is likely that they'll want you to book out all the rooms for your guests. If your marquee is in a field or garden with plenty of space but a shortage of nearby accommodation and taxis, you might want to get creative. Look for glamping sites like Alcott Weddings who offer amazing tents and pods for you and your guests to stay on-site. This is perfect for a marquee wedding, as your guests can stay as late as they like, and perhaps even continue the fun into the next day!
Why is it important to use a recommended marquee company?
With the increase in demand for marquee weddings in 2021 and 2022, there will be some opportunistic new businesses appearing, offering cheap prices, then over-promising and under-delivering. Some might be genuine new start-ups and may be competitive while they are learning their trade, but most will disappear as fast as they appeared, possibly with your deposit and any other payments. Sadly, you'll probably not realise until days before your wedding. In the past, we have been aware of companies setting up websites without actually owning or having access to any marquees or equipment.
Fortunately, these are in the minority and you can avoid them by using websites such as Guides for Brides to find the most trusted, reliable suppliers. Aim to use a company that has been around for long enough to deal with most eventualities and to establish a reputation. They should have plenty of photos of their own marquees. They will have online reviews. Those trading for 3+ or 10+ years will have a badge on their listing on this website so you can easily find them.
Top marquee wedding venues
Here are some of our favourite wedding marquee companies, as well as some great wedding venues with their own on-site marquees:
Wings Events
With extensive experience in wedding marquees, Wings Events provides expert guidance to ensure a customised design that reflects your special day. Quality, style, and a comprehensive range of equipment create a versatile and flexible space. To help you with the planning process, the team can provide a detailed, to-scale layout, including a 3D mock-up for a clearer picture of how the marquee will look. These drawings can also be shared with caterers, florists, and other suppliers to help coordinate the setup on the day.
In past 12 months
Wings Events
Create your dream wedding with a stunning marquee from Wings Events.Yorkshire Yurts
Situated in North Yorkshire, Yorkshire Yurts offer a variety of different pop up venues that come in a range of sizes. Handcrafted in the UK from natural wood and finished with a cream canvas, these unique venues create a cosy aesthetic with an elegant charm. Whether your theme is rustic, glam, boho or even festival, Yorkshire Yurts will make sure that you have the day of your dreams with their combination of yurts, marquees and tents.
Abacus Marquee & Event Hire
Abacus Marquee & Event Hire is an award-winning company renowned for providing stunning marquees for your wedding. They can transform any location into a beautiful venue, individually tailored to your needs. Choose from a wide range of metal-framed structures, rustic sailcloth marquees, and more! With this variety of options, you can be confident of finding a marquee that perfectly matches the theme for your big day. Abacus Marquees can also provide almost all of the infrastructure needed for your marquee wedding, including generator hire, furniture hire, bar and bar staff hire, and much more.
Weddings at Eavestone Lake
Eavestone Lake is a wedding venue like no other. You and guests can begin the festivities the night before your wedding with wood fired pizzas, marshmallows around the fire pit, a dip in the private hot-tub, and much more. Your ceremony will take place at The Glade, the most beautiful spot surrounded by nature. Following your ceremony, you can enjoy a drink or two overlooking the lake and the breathtaking Yorkshire countryside. Evening activities will then take place in The Nest, which can hold up to 56 guests; making it the perfect place for a romantic, intimate wedding reception!
Applewood Hall
Situated in the beautiful Norfolk countryside, Applewood Hall's marquee-lined hall is perfect for your special day. We love that this venue is also licensed for civil ceremonies so you can have your whole wedding all in one place, and enjoy staying in the on-site glamping pod accommodation. Applewood is also a family-run business and pride themselves in helping couples to create a bespoke day that's perfect for them, from the decor to the personalised cocktails!
Spaceintense
If you're looking for a great wedding marquee company in Gloucester and neighbouring counties, Spaceintense is perfect for you. Offering a huge range of marquees including traditional and modular marquees, and the furniture to match, you'll be spoilt for choice! In particular, we love that Spaceintense commits to continually developing their expertise in designing layouts and installing for wedding parties and major celebrations.
Crystal Marquee Hire
Crystal Marquee Hire is a family-run marquee firm established for over 40 years. Using only the highest quality materials, they offer a beautiful selection of marquees available for weddings in Surrey and the surrounding counties. We love that they will even provide you with detailed, professionally drawn table plans and layouts for your big day enabling you to visualise the amount of space required for the number of people attending!
Alcott Weddings
Alcott Weddings is a countryside wedding venue in Alvechurch, Worcestershire. A rent-my-field venue, it's a blank canvas for your marquee wedding. Whether you choose a traditional marquee, a tipi or a yurt, Alcott provides the perfect backdrop to make your wedding everything you want it to be. Want some inspiration? Alcott has recently hosted an amazing festival wedding for couple Michelle and Luke, which you can read all about in their real wedding feature.
Osmaston Park
Osmaston Park is set in the beautiful countryside of Derbyshire, nestled in a 3000-acre park with picture-perfect lakeside views. The fully-equipped on-site marquee can hold up to 500 guests and is fitted with all the key features you'll need for your special day: dance floor, star cloth, bar, tables, chairs, linen, themed lighting, luxury toilets and so much more! This incredible venue offers full flexibility to help make your wedding dreams a reality. Wedding season is between 1st April and 31st October yearly.
Arabian Tent Company
For couples in the South East looking for something a bit different, the Arabian Tent Company has a really unusual range of marquees. Founder Katherine Hudson has travelled the world to find the most amazing materials for high-end marquees, perfect for hosting the ultimate party. Their collection of unique marquees have English inspired interiors as well as ethnic influences. Perfect for the quintessentially British Tea Party, or for Arabic, Moroccan and Bollywood themed events. They have an online virtual showroom to cut down on carbon emissions from unnecessary driving and they invite couples to offset their carbon footprint by getting involved in their tree planting scheme. To look after the planet, they only supply within 150 miles of their West Sussex base.
Whatever you choose for your big day, wedding marquees remain a popular choice for couples no matter the season. Whether you're wanting a traditional wedding or a relaxed, festival themed day, there is a marquee for you. Still looking for a marquee supplier? Find a wedding marquee here!
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