A wedding marquee is a venue you design yourself. That is the appeal and the challenge: the shape of the day depends on how the structure is laid out, where guests arrive, how the wedding breakfast turns into the evening party, and where the caterers, bar and toilets sit. A marquee that looks right on paper can feel cramped if the dance floor, band and bar were added as an afterthought.
Most wedding marquees are lined, floored and lit, so the inside feels like a room rather than a tent. Frame marquees give a clear, flexible floor and work on any surface, while pole marquees give the peaked, traditional look that suits country gardens and fields. Either way, the build starts with a site visit and a layout drawn around your guest list and running order.
What is included
- Site visit to check ground, slope, access, trees and underground services
- Layout plan for dining, top table, dance floor, bar, band and catering
- Frame or traditional pole marquee sized to your guest numbers
- Pleated or flat linings, with optional star cloth or ceiling drapes
- Hard flooring with carpet, plus a dance floor
- Lighting such as chandeliers, festoon or uplighters, on dimmers where possible
- Window walls or open sides so the marquee can be opened up in good weather
- Installation before the day and take-down afterwards, with the site left tidy
Who it is for
- Couples marrying at a family home, farm or private estate
- Venues whose main room is too small for the guest list
- Weddings that want one space for ceremony, dinner and evening party
- Couples who want full control over the look and layout
- Late spring to early autumn weddings, or winter weddings with heating
How much does it cost?
As a guide, a lined UK wedding marquee for around 100 seated guests with flooring and lighting usually costs £3,000 to £8,000, and 150 to 200 guests often runs to £8,000 to £15,000 or more. Furniture, heating, power and toilets are usually extra. See our full cost guide.
