The magic of marquees
Whether you are planning a sophisticated cocktail-style wedding or an informal beachfront celebration, a marquee allows you the flexibility to personalise your wedding day to suit you.
The plus side
As well as enabling you to hold your wedding at a location of your choice, a marquee has the advantage of being a blank canvas, so you can set the mood and theme of your day, with plenty of freedom for creative input. So, whether you’d like elegant black and white, a bright Moroccan theme or vintage pastels, your colour scheme will look amazing set against the backdrop of a beautiful marquee.
Other benefits include the opportunity to cater for a greater number of guests – up to around 500, depending on the style of wedding, as well as a small, intimate group. Marquees offer excellent shelter from the heat, sun, wind and rain at an outdoor wedding. There’s also greater flexibility in terms of the amount of time you can hire the marquee, reducing some of the stress of setup and pack-down at different venues.
A style to suit
Two different types of marquee are available: the traditional marquee that is supported by ropes and poles, and the modern marquee supported by a metal frame. Some are completely closed in, some have clear walls, and others have open sides to let in the fresh air. The traditional style is popular for its soft and romantic feel, while the modern variety looks dramatic and has no poles or ropes to get in the way.
The finishing touches
A marquee is not just a big tent! These days, professional hire companies offer a huge range of extras that can really add the wow factor to your space. As well as furnishings and tableware, flooring is a must-have. It will preserve the ground, provide a flat solid surface for chairs and tables to sit on, and for walking on, preventing heels getting stuck. Flooring options include plastic, wood, artificial grass or carpet. You can also hire silk linings for a traditional marquee, which give a soft, romantic feel while hiding poles.
Lighting is another important element, and an area where you can get creative – fairy lights or uplights create a beautiful ambience, while a chandelier or hanging lanterns add a touch of class. Don’t forget to organise outside lighting for when the sun goes down.
Other items to consider include foliage, heaters or coolers, an area with comfortable lounge seating, a smaller tent for caterers, portable toilets and a disco ball for party time!
Top Hire Tips…
Try to visit the marquee showroom to check that the skins are clean and in good condition.
Have the vendor visit your site to assess the practicality of your marquee setup.
Organise for a professional to assemble and take down your marquee.
Always get a written quote.