Marquee weddings and wedding receptions continue to be very popular as they give couples a lot of flexibility when deciding on location. When you hire a marquee for your wedding you are usually able to choose from a considerable range of shapes, sizes, prices and specifications.
It’s a myth that marquees are for large weddings, they can fit into surprisingly small spaces too!
Marquee Wedding Checklist
Wedding Season
Summer marquee weddings tend to be the most popular for obvious reasons, but as we’ve highlighted here on Aspirational Bride many times, autumn and winter weddings are growing rapidly in popularity. If you are opting for an autumn or winter wedding just be aware that with the likelihood of more wet weather you’ll have a few extra things to consider… .
A solid, possibly wooden, floor will provide a more stable surface for guests and help avoid muddy dresses and high heels sinking into damp ground! Marquee heaters are great for keeping guests warm in an autumnal or wintery chill.
Venue Décor
Whatever you venue, much of the atmosphere is created by the kind of lighting you choose. For a rustic, country wedding opt for fairy lights or lanterns. For a more classic and elegant affair you might want to opt for large decorative chandeliers. For the ‘Wow’ factor on the dance floor think about separate special lighting to add impact to your first dance and evening party.
For table decor, the choice is as limitless as with every other venue – from flowers, bunting, wedding favours, seating plans… it’s up to you to choose a theme which adds some personalised flair to your special day. Your florist, caterers and marquee company will always be able to share ideas and show you photos to inspire your creativity!
Catering and Electricity
There are lots of catering options available from hog roasts to buffets and more formal sit-down meals, the key is simply to ensure your caterers have access to water and electricity. If the marquee is located in your garden or in the grounds of an established venue, this won’t be a problem. However, if your marquee is in a remote location, it may be your responsibility to provide the caterers with water and also hire a generator to provide power.
Amenities
Most portable toilet are spacious and pleasantly decorated to provide a little luxury for everyone, even in the middle of a field! To hide them from your guests, they can even be put inside a separate smaller marquee.
Accessibility
You will need to inform your marquee company where the marquee is to be located and how easy the site is to access. Similarly, if your reception is in a remote location you will need to make sure it is signposted well.
Aesthetics
When locating your marquee (if you’re opting for private hire!), do consider the space you will be using and where guests can park, caterers and other suppliers can park and also set up with quick access to your marquee. It’s also worth remembering that you’ll need a dedicated area for wedding photo’s, so it can be worth making or using an area to the side of your marquee which won’t have portable toilets or generators in shot!