Planning a marquee wedding offers a blend of romance and flexibility, allowing couples to create a personalised and memorable celebration. However, the charm and freedom of such a venue come with a unique set of considerations. From logistical details to décor and comfort, here's everything you need to ensure your marquee wedding is flawless.
Choosing the Right Marquee for your Wedding
Type of Marquee: The first step is selecting the right type of marquee. Traditional pole marquees are perfect for a classic, elegant look, while frame marquees, like the ones from the Marquee and Furniture Company, offer more flexibility in terms of layout and are suitable for uneven grounds.
Size: Ensure the marquee is large enough to comfortably accommodate all your guests, dance floor, band, and dining area. A good rule of thumb is to allow about 15 square feet per person for banquet style seating.
Location and Site Preparation
Site Selection:The beauty of a marquee wedding is that you can set it up almost anywhere. Consider your garden, a local farm, or even a scenic spot near a lake. Make sure the site is accessible, has suitable ground conditions, and is large enough for your marquee.
Permits: Check with your local council to see if you need any permits to erect a marquee, especially if it's on public land or an unusual location.
Utilities and Amenities
Power Supply: Marquees often require a separate power supply for lighting, catering, and entertainment. Hiring a generator is a common solution; ensure it’s powerful enough to handle all your needs.
Water and Catering Facilities: If your caterers need water, you may need to arrange for supply points or additional plumbing. Discuss this with your caterer and marquee provider.
Toilets: Luxury mobile toilets are a must-have for a marquee wedding that’s away from established facilities. Ensure they are placed conveniently and consider lighting the paths to the toilets.
Comfort and Convenience
Flooring: Choose suitable flooring to match the expected weather conditions. Options range from simple matting to full wooden floors.
Heating or Cooling: Depending on the season, you may need heaters or fans. Make sure these are planned for and arranged well in advance.
Lighting: Good lighting is crucial both inside and outside the marquee. Consider functional lighting for visibility and decorative lighting to create the right ambiance.
Decoration and Styling
Interior Décor: The interior of the marquee is a blank canvas. Choose a theme or colour scheme that reflects your personal style. Drapes, linings, and chair covers can transform the space.
Tables and Chairs: Depending on the style of your wedding, you'll need to hire tables and chairs. These can range from rustic wooden furniture to elegant banquet chairs.
Flowers and Centrepieces: Work with a florist to create displays that complement the scale of the marquee and enhance its features.
 Entertainment and Sound
Sound System: Good acoustics are not a natural strength of a marquee, so you may need additional sound equipment to manage music and speeches effectively.
Entertainment Space: Ensure there is enough space planned for a dance floor, band, or DJ setup. This might influence the overall layout of your marquee.
Planning and Coordination
Event Planner: Consider hiring a wedding planner experienced with marquee events. They can handle the complexities of outdoor planning and ensure everything runs smoothly.
On-the-Day Coordination: Assign someone to oversee the setup, coordinate with vendors, and manage the schedule on your wedding day.
Final Thoughts
Marquee weddings require meticulous planning and attention to detail, but the result is often a stunningly personal celebration that you and your guests will remember forever. Use this checklist to guide your preparations and ensure that every aspect of your marquee wedding comes together seamlessly. Get in touch with The Marquee and Furniture Company below to start planning your perfect marquee wedding today!