Congratulations! You’ve got the venue booked, the date picked and your guest list is sorted. It’s time to choose a wedding marquee that will make your day special. Choosing the right one can be daunting, but we’ve put together this guide of important things to consider when hiring a wedding marquee in order to help you make an informed decision.
1. Size
How big should your marquee be?
The size of the marquee you need depends on how many guests you’re expecting, as well as how many tables and chairs you need. After all, it’s not much fun to have too little space to move around and eat in! And if your special day takes place outside, make sure that the tent will fit in its chosen location. If it doesn’t, then it may not be worth having one at all—it could ruin the whole experience if guests feel cramped or hemmed in by their surroundings.
2. Time of the year
When planning your wedding, you need to consider the time of year that you’re getting married in. While it is definitely possible to have a marquee wedding at any time of year, the warmer months of spring and summer definitely work best as a lot of time will be spent outdoors.
If it’s winter or early spring, then you need to factor in the cost of heaters and also the fact that the grass around the marquee may get muddy and slippery – not ideal for guests in high heels! Also bear in mind that even if your venue has an indoor space for guests who want some fresh air during their meal, after eating they will want somewhere comfortable where they can relax with friends or family before dancing starts later on in evening.
For summer weddings opt for a tent where you can raise the sides – this allows great ventilation so everyone stays cool!
3. Location
Choosing a location that means something to you is important. It’s where your guests will be spending their time, so it should feel special and be somewhere they can relax without being distracted by background noise. You might want to consider hiring a marquee in one of your favorite spots in town or country, or if you want to make an impact, hire one for an event on the beach or next to a lake or river.
Location is also important because it’s vital that the venue is easily accessible for guests (and doesn’t cost too much money on travel). If there’s not enough parking at the venue itself, then consider hiring transport for guests or offering them shuttle services from local train stations/bus stops nearby.
An important consideration when choosing a marquee location is whether power supplies are available on site (generators can be hired separately). This will affect how much noise generators make during your event as well as how much diesel fuel they require. Another factor which may have an impact on your choice of location is whether there’s wifi available at each site.
4. Catering
If you’re planning on having a sit-down meal, catering is not a luxury—it’s an essential part of the day. Your caterer will need their own smaller marquee attached to your main reception space as well as water and electricity.
5. Type of flooring
Make sure that you are clear on the type of flooring you want for your tent. If you are having your wedding in an area where it may be muddy, or is prone to flooding or other problems (e.g., a field), then it would be wise to choose wooden flooring. However, if this isn’t an issue and there is no need for a hard surface, then matting could prove more suitable.
6. Heating
Heating is a good idea to ensure a warm environment, particularly during autumn and winter weddings. Electric heaters can be used as a form of heating but you can also hire portable gas heaters if you want something more streamlined. Make sure you have enough ventilation as well to avoid condensation.
7. Seating
When planning a wedding, one of the most important things to consider is how many people you expect to be in attendance. This will allow you to determine the size of your marquee, as well as other aspects such as catering and drinks selection.
How many guests do you expect? The number of guests attending can have a big impact on how much space is needed for seating. In general, it’s best to ensure there are enough chairs or benches for everyone in attendance; if this isn’t possible, think about providing chairs for those who need them (elderly relatives and friends) while also providing some alternative seating options (such as sofas) for those who don’t want to sit down all day. Additionally, it might be worth considering whether any particular groups of people might benefit from having their own chill-out area with comfortable seating – perhaps children would like access during their mealtime!
Choose between chairs or benches: If you decide that there should be extra seating at your event but not necessarily enough space available near by tables then consider using some form of portable chair or bench system which could easily be moved around throughout different parts of venue depending on where they’re needed most at any given time throughout day/evening celebrations
8. Water and power supply
Make sure there is enough power for your marquee. Check the type and the location of the power supply and whether you will need an electrician to install it. If you do not have access to mains power, check if a generator is available and make sure that it is sufficient for your needs. Water supply will also be needed for both the catering team as well as for the toilets area.
9. Toilets
Toilets are obviously very important for the comfort of your guests and should be accessible for all guests. Toilets should be close to the marquee, so that they can easily walk there in case they need to go during the day. The toilets must be well lit and marked so that people know where they are. Make sure you have enough signs and arrows and that they are properly marked and can be found easily.
10. Extras
Consider what extras you might want – fire pits or blankets for guests outside in cold weather, coat racks for guests hanging up coats, First Aid kits in case of any bee stings or grazes etc.
Conclusion
If you’re considering a wedding marquee hire, it’s important to know what you need. Think about the size of your venue and what will be included in the package so that there are no surprises when it comes to setting in up. The time of year will affect how much heat or cooling is required, as well as whether an outdoor space needs extra protection from rain or sun. Location also plays a role. Catering is another major consideration and finally, think about extras like seating arrangements or toilets—these can make all the difference when planning your event!
