Why Have a Marquee Wedding? 7 Beautiful Reasons to Say Yes

A marquee wedding is the ultimate blank canvas celebration - it gives you the freedom to create a wedding that’s entirely yours, without the restrictions of a traditional venue.

 Here’s why so many couples in the UK choose to say yes to a marquee:

Complete Creative Freedom

A marquee is a custom-built space. You can:

• Choose your own layout, colour scheme, and décor style

• Create distinct zones for dining, dancing, cocktails, and lounging

• Decide exactly where the stage, bar, and seating go

From elegant white sailcloth with crystal chandeliers to rustic tipis with festoon lights, the space becomes whatever you imagine.

Your Choice of Location

With a marquee, you’re not tied to licensed venues. You can:

• Host your wedding in a family garden, private estate, or even a farmer’s field

• Make the most of meaningful settings, like the countryside you grew up in

• Enjoy scenic backdrops that don’t need extra styling

This is especially appealing if you’ve always dreamed of marrying at home.

3. No Guest List Restrictions

Traditional venues often have a maximum capacity. With a marquee, the size is adaptable:

• Hosting 60 guests? Choose a small, intimate tent.

• Inviting 250? Add extra bays or link structures together.

You can also design the space to suit your guest flow - no awkwardly cramped dance floors or too-big dining rooms.

4. Choose Your Own Suppliers

Many venues work with “preferred supplier” lists, which can limit your options. A marquee wedding lets you:

• Hand-pick caterers, florists, photographers, and entertainers

• Serve the food you want (from Michelin-level dining to gourmet street food)

• Bring in your own drinks without paying venue corkage fees

5. Privacy & Exclusivity

When you hire a marquee on private land, you’re the only event happening that day:

• No sharing spaces with another wedding

• No strangers wandering past your photos

• You control start and finish times (within local noise regulations)

It’s a truly personal celebration, free from venue schedules.

6. Indoor-Outdoor Flow

Marquees connect beautifully with the outdoors:

• Sides can be rolled up for summer breezes

• Glass panels or clear sides show off countryside views

• Outdoor lawns, gardens, or paddocks become part of the event

This is perfect for couples who love nature but want the comfort of a covered, weather-protected space.

7. The Wow Factor

Because marquees aren’t everyday spaces, stepping inside feels instantly special. Guests are often amazed at how a simple field or garden can transform into a glowing, atmospheric venue by night.

Marquee weddings typically require more organisation…

You’re bringing in power, toilets, kitchens, and furniture — but that’s where a wedding planner makes all the difference. The payoff is a wedding that’s uniquely you, in a setting and style no one else will have.

 First off - what type?

When planning a marquee wedding, one of the first decisions you’ll make is what type of marquee best suits your wedding style, location, and guest list. Not all marquees are created equal - they vary in structure, aesthetic, practicality, and budget.

To choose your marquee style, consider:

• Your aesthetic: Romantic? Rustic? Minimalist?

• Your venue: Grass field? Country house? Hardstanding?

• Your guest list size: Larger groups need more structural space

• Time of year: Winter weddings require more insulation and weather-proofing

• Budget: Some marquee styles are more cost-effective than others

Traditional Pole Marquee

Best for: Classic, romantic weddings in country gardens or estates

Why couples love it:

• Timeless and elegant with sweeping rooflines

• Works beautifully with fairy lights, bunting, and drapes

• Breathable canvas fabric feels airy and natural

Clearspan Frame Marquee

Best for: All-weather weddings, formal receptions, or awkward sites

Why couples love it:

• No internal poles, so layout is 100% flexible

• Can go on any surface: grass, gravel, tarmac, even tennis courts

• Highly weather-resistant and easy to heat or cool

Sailcloth Tent (e.g. Sperry Tent)

Best for: Elegant, light-filled weddings with a soft, natural look

Why couples love it:

• Semi-translucent canopy lets in beautiful light during the day and glows at night

• Polished timber poles and peaked roof add a romantic, organic feel

• Blends beautifully into scenic outdoor locations

Stretch Tent

Best for: Festival-style or boho weddings with an informal vibe

Why couples love it:

• Fluid, sculptural shape looks striking and modern

• Great for creating shaded, open-air spaces

• Can be adapted to unusual or sloped terrains

Tipi / Giant Hat Tipi

Best for: Rustic, Scandi-inspired, or laid-back weddings

Why couples love it:

• Warm, cosy, and atmospheric—even in winter

• Wooden frames and canvas covers feel earthy and inviting

• Multiple tipis can be linked together for larger weddings

Yurt

Best for: Small weddings with a romantic or eco-conscious flair

Why couples love it:

• Circular shape creates a communal, intimate feel

• Wooden lattice walls and domed roof offer a unique aesthetic

• Often paired with sustainable or off-grid venues

Now in to the details… 

Power

A marquee is essentially a blank canvas — meaning you need to bring in your own electricity for catering, lighting, entertainment, and heating.

What to consider:

• Generator hire: For most rural marquee weddings, a professional, super-silent generator is the most reliable option. Domestic supply usually isn’t strong enough to power ovens, DJ equipment, and heaters all at once.

• Distribution boards & cabling: Power must be safely split between areas (e.g., kitchen, lighting, sound system) to prevent outages.

• Backup supply: I always recommend a second generator on standby — it’s a small extra cost compared to the nightmare of a black-out during speeches.

Planner tip: I’ll liaise with your suppliers in advance to calculate exact power needs so you don’t under- or over-hire.

2. Lighting & Water Supply

Lighting:

• Functional lighting: Essential for catering tents, toilets, and car parks. Safety lighting like exit signs may be a legal requirement.

• Atmospheric lighting: Fairy lights, chandeliers, festoon bulbs, and uplighters create the mood inside the marquee.

• External lighting: Crucial for walkways, car parks, and entrance points so guests can move around safely after dark.

Water Supply:

• Mains connection: Ideal if your site already has an outdoor tap or connection point.

• Temporary tanks: If no water on site, suppliers can provide potable water tanks with pumps.

• Hose lengths & pressure: Caterers will need a reliable source with good pressure — especially for washing up.

Planner tip: I’ll ensure your lighting plan is not only beautiful but functional, and that your caterer’s water requirements are confirmed early to avoid last-minute tanker hire.

3. Access & Parking

• Site access for suppliers: Large lorries will need to deliver marquee components, generators, and toilets. Narrow lanes, low bridges, or muddy tracks can cause major delays.

• Ground protection: In wet weather, temporary trackway or matting may be needed for delivery vehicles and guest parking.

• Guest parking: Allow enough space for cars to manoeuvre safely without damaging lawns or fields.

Planner tip: I’ll coordinate staggered delivery schedules and ensure access routes are suitable well before build day — avoiding stress and damage to the property.

4. Back of House (Catering & Staff Areas)

A successful marquee wedding relies heavily on a well-organised “behind-the-scenes” area.

• Catering tent: A separate, weatherproof space for prep, cooking, plating, and washing up.

• Storage: For drinks, glassware, extra chairs, bins, and emergency supplies.

• Staff routes: Clear, discreet paths between catering, bar, and dining areas to keep service flowing without interrupting the guest experience.

Planner tip: I’ll position back-of-house areas for maximum efficiency and minimal intrusion, keeping them hidden in photos and guest sightlines.

5. Weather Considerations

The UK’s weather is famously unpredictable - even in July.

• Rain: Invest in covered walkways between marquee sections, solid flooring, and side walls to keep guests dry.

• Wind: Opt for sturdy frame marquees in exposed locations. Stretch tents and pole marquees may need extra anchoring.

• Heat: Provide ventilation panels or clear sides that can be rolled up. Shade areas are essential for summer.

• Cold: Add space heaters and insulated linings for spring/autumn weddings.

Planner tip: I always prepare a ‘Plan B’ layout in case you need to bring elements (like the drinks reception) inside.

6. Disruption at Home

If your wedding is at a family home or private property, expect more disruption than you might imagine.

• Set-up & breakdown: Marquees often take 2–4 days to erect and 1–2 days to dismantle, during which your garden or drive may be inaccessible.

• Heavy footfall: Guests, suppliers, and vehicles will put pressure on lawns, flower beds, and surfaces.

• Noise: Music, generators, and chatter may continue until late.

• Waste: Rubbish removal needs to be organised — caterers often don’t take everything away.

Planner tip: I’ll create a detailed site schedule, hire protective flooring for sensitive areas, and organise waste management so your home returns to normal as quickly as possible.

Final Thoughts

Marquee weddings are wonderful, but budget management is complex. With a wedding planner on board, you gain expert insight, avoid hidden pitfalls, and spend money where it actually makes a difference. Most importantly, you get to enjoy the process instead of worrying about spreadsheets.

If you’re considering a marquee wedding and want help creating a beautiful, cost-effective day - I’d be delighted to chat through your vision and budget goals.