Planning & Budget
The decision framework and real costs. Discover why marquees are rarely cheaper than fixed venues, and how to budget for the hidden "iceberg" of infrastructure costs.
Read the planning guide →The blank canvas is beautiful — but someone needs to fill it. A marquee wedding offers unparalleled creative freedom, but transfers the entire operational responsibility from venue to you. This guide helps you understand what's really involved.
A marquee wedding is not simply a party in a tent — it's a complex logistical construction project. You'll be temporarily establishing utilities, sanitation, catering facilities and safety protocols in an environment often devoid of infrastructure. The reward? A celebration that's entirely, uniquely yours.
Choose every supplier, design every detail. No preferred supplier lists or restrictive venue policies. Your vision, fully realised.
Unlike a barn with fixed capacity, marquees are modular. Scale from 50 to 500 guests by adding bays, without compromising intimacy.
Often later finish times than hotels with strict noise curfews. Subject to neighbours and local authority, but typically more flexibility.
Host at a family home or meaningful location. The "private party" atmosphere creates intimacy that hotel function rooms can't match.
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Decision framework, budget reality, timeline and checklist for your entire marquee wedding journey.
Track the "iceberg" costs: structure, infrastructure, catering, staffing and all the hidden line items.
Templates for managing 10+ vendors, delivery schedules and on-the-day timelines.
Site evaluation criteria, access requirements and questions to ask landowners in the Home Counties.
A hotel has a duty manager. A barn has a venue coordinator. A marquee on private land has... you — unless you plan for it.
Marquee company, generator, toilets, caterer, bar, lighting, sound, florist, photographer, band or DJ. Someone needs to coordinate the delivery circus and manage the timeline. Learn about behind-the-scenes coordination.
In a sprawling marquee and garden, moving 150 guests from drinks to dinner is difficult. A professional MC provides structure and authority, ensuring food service starts on time and the day flows naturally.
If the generator runs out of fuel or the toilet unit malfunctions, who fixes it? On-the-day coordinators and experienced MCs handle the unexpected so you can enjoy your wedding. Read more about staffing your marquee wedding.
Not usually. While the tent hire (typically £3,000-£6,000) may seem lower than venue fees, hidden infrastructure costs add up quickly. Generators, luxury toilets, catering tents, flooring, lighting and coordination can push total costs 20-40% higher than comprehensive venue packages. Read the full cost breakdown in our planning guide.
Only if the marquee is on licensed premises. On private land (a garden or farmer's field), you cannot hold a legal civil ceremony. Most couples use a "two-step" approach: a brief legal ceremony at a registry office, followed by a celebrant-led ceremony in the marquee. This actually offers more creative freedom. Learn about the two-step process.
For a medium wedding (100 guests): 30-40 kVA. For larger weddings with significant catering and a band: 60-100 kVA. The system must handle peak load — when ovens, coffee urns and the PA are all running simultaneously. Always hire a backup. See full infrastructure requirements.
This is why structure choice matters. Clear-span frame marquees offer the best weather protection with high wind ratings and easy heating. Cassette flooring (plywood on steel) protects against mud. Heating is essential even in summer for evening comfort. Compare structure types by weather resilience.
An on-the-day coordinator is not a luxury for marquee weddings — it's an operational necessity. You're managing 10+ suppliers with no venue team. A professional MC also helps move guests, manage the timeline and handle announcements in sprawling outdoor spaces. Read our guide on the art of wedding announcements or explore professional MC services.
Private land is subject to environmental health noise restrictions. Most areas have an 11pm curfew. Use zone array speaker systems — multiple smaller speakers distributed around the ceiling — to keep sound focused on dancers and reduce bleed to neighbours. Some venues require sound limiters. Learn how I manage sound at marquee weddings.
Private gardens offer sentimental value but often have tight access. Farmer's fields provide seclusion but zero infrastructure. Dry-hire venues with marquee lawns offer the best of both: some infrastructure included, but supplier freedom. Access for delivery vehicles (3m+ gates) is often the limiting factor. Explore location options.
Absolutely. Many of my weddings are in marquees across Berkshire, Surrey, Buckinghamshire and beyond. Marquee weddings need experienced suppliers who understand the unique challenges: self-sufficient power, backup equipment, and the ability to coordinate with multiple vendors. I bring everything I need and work seamlessly with your other suppliers.
Whether you're weighing up marquee vs venue, or already committed to the blank canvas, I'm here to help with professional DJ and MC services tailored for outdoor celebrations.