I think the UK has had the sunniest summer in a long time – it’s been pretty perfect, and I can’t complain as autumn whooshes in. I’m embracing the time to reflect on a busy summer, and excited to share some gorgeous sunny weddings from the last few months (tap here to submit a wedding). I was chatting to Anna, a wedding photographer in Hampshire (Anna Rainbow Photography) who specialises in marquee weddings, and we’ve put together this little blog to help anyone out there planning a marquee wedding. Of course, we’re sharing lots of Anna’s gorgeous images too! So here’s our best 10 marquee wedding tips, inspired by Anna’s own advice on her website. I hope you find them useful!
All images in this blog post are by Hampshire wedding photographer Anna Rainbow Photography
1 – Choose a brilliant marquee supplier
Don’t plan your marquee wedding alone! Find a marquee company who will help you and offer advice, because they are worth their weight in gold. (I’ve heard of some cheap and cheerful marquee companies who are more used to farm shows and village fetes, who will literally dump a marquee in place the day before… and leave everything up to you.) Trust me – get a wedding marquee specialist and ask for all their advice and tips!
2 – Pitch your marquee in the right place
Anna’s advice is spot on: “Before you fall in love with a tent style or seating plan, take a good look at the space where you’ll be setting up. Is the ground level? Will it drain well if it rains? Do you have enough room for the marquee and things like caterers, loos, and parking? Where will your guests park?”
And a pro tip: If the area is prone to being a bit marshy, flooring and matting will be your best friend — and could save the heels (and spirits!) of your guests. ~ Anna Rainbow Photography
3 – Know your wedding marquees
There’s a world of beautiful marquees out there. Choose yours according to your budget, the space you need and availability close to where you’re getting married. Clearspan marquees tend to be the most affordable, with stretch tents and tipis costing more. There’s more advice about the cost of wedding marquees here.
4 – Consider lighting, heating, power and loos
Rock My Wedding calls toilets, power and parking “the unsung heroes of marquee weddings” – and they’re not wrong.
Anna writes, “Not the most glamorous part of wedding planning — but definitely one of the most important! You’ll likely need a generator to power everything from the fairy lights to the band, and mobile toilets (the good ones!) are a must. Some luxury loos even come with mirrors and proper lighting — your guests will thank you.
“Don’t forget lighting outside too — think festoon lights for pathways or a few solar lanterns to help guide guests as the evening draws in.”
5 – Be aware of costs and extras
Hiring a marquee involves more than the canvas above your heads. Essential extras include flooring and lighting. Most wedding marquee companies offer furniture hire, some have mobile bars and other add-ons – and insurance is an absolute must.
6 – Make it spacious!
Imagine a rainy day – all day. Consider your guests’ comfort if they’re inside the marquee for 6 hours or more, and make sure there’s plenty of space. (Don’t forget there’ll be furniture and dancing space too.) If in doubt, hire a bigger wedding marquee than you think you’ll need! This is where a professional wedding marquee specialist is really useful for their advice and experience.
7 – Have a backup plan
Your plan B should be watertight, and almost as amazing as your plan A.
In Anna’s words, “we all love a good British summer, but let’s be honest — it’s unpredictable. Rain, wind, blazing sun… you need to be ready for anything.” She advises all couples to
- Make sure your marquee is waterproof and properly secured
- Provide umbrellas or parasols for guests if the ceremony is outdoors
- Consider hiring some heaters for chilly evenings — even in August!
As a specialist marquee wedding photographer, I’ll always be watching the weather and light so we can get the best photos come rain or shine — but a little prep can make all the difference.
8 – Tell your neighbours (and your council)
If you’re having a big wedding, and you don’t hate your neighbours (!) invite them – it’s the polite thing to do! At least let them know there’ll be music, and what time it might start and end. If you’re having fireworks it’s essential to let people close by know, because of the effect these have on pets, farm animals and wildlife. You might also need to get a Temporary Event Notice if you’re having a band, playing music or having a paid bar.
Anna says, “A quick chat and a thank-you note go a long way — especially if you might be partying into the night!”
9 – Embrace the flexibility and make the day your own!
Anna has photographed many marquee weddings in Hampshire, and has this golden advice to share:
One of the best things about a marquee wedding at home? It’s a blank canvas for your creativity. There are no rules — so lean into what feels like you. And have fun letting your personalities shine!
By all means keep the three-course meal; or swap it for a pizza van or BBQ. Choose local flowers or wild meadow blooms. If your garden allows, grown your own. Involve your horse, dog, maybe even the cat if it will co-operate. Invite the neighbour’s chickens – OK maybe not, but you see where I’m coming from. (I’ve seen it all and loved every second.)
These are the moments that make your wedding feel unforgettable.
We’ve featured plenty of marquee weddings on this blog over the years. Iona & Ed told us their Kent marquee was set up a few days before the wedding, so they had plenty of time to decorate and make the space their own.
10 – Bear access in mind
Sometimes it’s the little things that turn out to be the big things – and again, your wedding marquee company will help. Logistics and access aren’t the most glamorous side of wedding planning, but they’re the most important!
How do guests and suppliers get to your garden – through the house? Is there a back gate? How about your florist, crockery hire company and so on: is there adequate van access? (And can they all cope with a muddy track? The answer might reasonably be no!) How much space do catering need? For more tips on planning a marquee wedding, you might find this post useful too.
Some real life marquee weddings to inspire you!
- Shaden & George’s Wiltshire marquee wedding
- Sarah & Richard’s marquee wedding in Hampshire
- Esme & Sam’s hillside marquee wedding (Herefordshire)
The artistic and personal touches in this stunning Devon wedding speak to my heart. Katie and Calum look amazing, and the florals are incredible. This is a relaxed wedding filled with love and warmth, captured beautifully by London-based documentary wedding photographer Emis Weddings. Emis works across the UK and internationally as a destination wedding photographer and I’m very proud to say Emis is a member of English Wedding.
Wedding photographer’s website
London wedding photographer Emis Weddings
Wedding photographer review
Unbelievably talented at catching candid moments.
Your best wedding moment or memory
Leaving the church with Muse playing at the church bells ringing.
Tell us anything you did differently – we love hearing about NEW traditions (or none at all!)
The bride did a speech at the front of the marquee, before any other toasts
Venues
St Petrox Church, Dartmouth and Sharpham House, Totnes
Tell us a little about your outfits – both of you!
Katie wore a white dress by Suzanne Neville, and Calum chose tartan trousers and a morning suit.
Florist
Holly Bee Flowers
Cake
Chloe’s Cakes
Stationery
Rose & Beau
Order of the day and art pieces
Patricia Hitchens Art
Wedding readings?
Love like a river by Whitney Hanson
Wedding planner
Elizabeth Shell Events – Phoebe
Hair + makeup
Fiona Miller MUA and Jessica Faye Bridal Hair
Today’s beautiful wedding is from the stunning Isle of Wight coast. Kythe and James both look amazing – Kythe’s dress is just gorgeous. I’m in love with the caterpillar cake family (the babies!!!) and the incredible views captured by Isle of Wight wedding photographer SJ Jones Photography at Warren Farm. Keep scrolling for reviews and recommendations from the happy couple, and to read all about their wonderful wedding!
Wedding photographer’s website
Isle of Wight wedding photographer SJ Jones Photography
Wedding photographer review
Steve was absolutely fantastic for us. He listened to everything we wanted but also gave us some excellent advice when we had questions. He stayed in the background and only came to the forefront when we asked him to. He allowed us to feel comfortable and where ever possible looked to take photos which were natural. We would 100% recommended Steve to anyone who wants a friendly and discreet photographer, capable of taking brilliant photos. The photos that Steve created were just what we were looking for from the church to the farm, it was perfect.
Your best wedding moment or memory
The best wedding memory for us was going up to Headon Warren for photos in golden hour overlooking the needles.
Tell us anything you did differently – we love hearing about NEW traditions (or none at all!)
Our wedding cake was an extra large Colin and Connie cake from M and S, surrounded by mini Colins. We alwyas have a Colin cake for birthdays and the special occasions Colins so this was perfect for us!
Our table names were named after all the sports stadiums we have visited together, from Dubai international stadium to Woking FC.
To keep the guests entertained we had a mini crazy golf 9- hole course on the grass, a croquet set and a couples quiz on the tables! Pick and mix stand for a sweet treat!
Videographer name + review
Georgina and Bert.
Georgina and Bert were excellent videographers from using a drone to capture the church, venue and the needles headland, to capturing the vows, speeches and dancing perfectly. They were discreet but also gave us pointers when needed. They were very professional throughout. We were so impressed with the editing of the videos we received, including a 30 second social media reel, 2 minutes highlight reel, feature video and the speeches in one. The videos were edited to music and to a very high standard.
Venue name + review
Warren farm
Warren farm was the perfect venue for us, the owners were flexible with our requests and allowed us to create a magical day for our wedding. We were able to put a marquee up, have a dance floor in the barn and use the garden space as a crazy golf and croquet course! They were professional throughout the planning process and we still go back for a coffee in their cafe to reminisce!
Tell us a little about your outfits – both of you!
Kythe’s dress from Cinderella’s in Skipton, North Yorkshire. Heels from Linzi
James- custom made suit from Moss bros
Rings- goldsmiths
Florist name + review
Bembridge flowers
Bembridge flowers provided the most wonderful flowers for the bouquets, button holes for the James and groomsmen, table decorations and church decorations. They were delivered on time, smelled amazing and arranged beautifully.
Any crafty projects or homemade styling touches?
We made the table names, table plan and welcome sign for our wedding.
Hair + makeup name + review
Lynsey-Marie
Lynsey-Marie was the perfect hair and make up stylist for us, her make up was natural but still lasted all day! And my hair looked amazing and didn’t come loose with all the dancing. We had a hair and make up trial and she really listened to the look I was going for. She was friendly, professional and we all looked stunning!
Today’s gorgeous spring wedding was sent in by English Wedding members and luxury UK wedding planners Your Story Events. It’s a beautiful, elegant celebration in Buckinghamshire’s wonderful Wormsley Estate. And it’s bringing a little sunshine and warmth which I think we all need on this January day! The wedding was in May, and the couple’s choice of a luxury marquee set the tone for the wedding celebrations.
The styling is exquisite, with light dusty blues and lots of white in the cake, flowers and table settings. It’s truly lovely and I’ve been so excited to share this wedding with you. Thanks to Mel at Your Story Events for kindly sharing her write up of the day, and to talented wedding photographer Kate Victoria for the fabulous images.
Charlotte and Josh tied the knot in a stunning Spring wedding with their elegant marquee celebration in the grand countryside location of Wormsley Estate in Buckinghamshire.
The bride wore a chic and elegant off-the-shoulder A-line satin dress from Hera Couture which she purchased from Halo and Wren Bridal.
The couple exchanged vows in a deeply moving ceremony at St. Michael and All Angels Church were a few tears were shed by the couple and their guests. The ceremony was marked by heartfelt tributes to loved ones who had passed and featured a selection of meaningful readings. They had a fun and colourful confetti line exit from the church and a group photo, the couple headed to their reception venue in a classic Rolls Royce Silver cloud.
The reception took place at the prestigious Wormsley Estate in their beautiful Walled Garden. With a live sax playing music throughout their drinks reception, guests enjoyed Champagne, entertainment and exploring the stunning walled gardens and grounds.
Every detail of this wedding was embedded with personal touches reflecting Charlotte and Josh’s journey together, from the meticulously designed stationery with a hare drawn on to reflect their surname to the thoughtfully decorated marquee.
The aesthetic and vibe for their marquee reception was elegant and chic, with lots of white and pastel blue, complemented by green leafy foliage.
Charlotte & Josh chose to have a small wedding day with 40 guests for their ceremony and wedding breakfast, which was a wonderful three course meal by Sojo catering.
80 more friends joined in the evening to celebrate the newlyweds. With a live saxophonist playing alongside a DJ for the evening party, the couple and their guests danced the night away and had the best day spending time with their friends and family.
Wedding Planner and Designer – Your Story Events – @your.story.events – https://www.yourstoryevents.co.uk/
Photographer – Kate Victoria Photography – @katevictoriaphotgrapher – https://www.katevictoriaphotography.co.uk
Church – St Michaels and All Angels Church – @Hughendenchurch – https://www.hughendenparishchurch.org.uk/
Reception Venue – Wormsley Estate, Walled Garden – @wormsleyestate – https://wormsley.com/
Marquee – Holmsted Events – @holmstedevents – https://holmstedevents.co.uk/
Dress – Hera Couture from Halo and Wren – @haloandwrenbridal – https://www.haloandwrenbridal.co.uk/
Bridesmaids Dresses – Six Stories – @sixstories – https://www.sixstories.co.uk/
Cake – The Willow Tree Bakery – @thewillowtreebakery – https://thewillowtreebakery.co.uk/
Caterers – Sojo Kitchen – @sojokitchen – https://sojokitchen.com/
Entertainment – Girls That Mix – @girlsthatmix – https://girlsthatmix.co.uk/
Florist – Foxgloves and Roses – @foxglovesandroses – https://www.foxglovesandroses.co.uk/
Furniture – Wedhead – @wedhead_london – https://www.wedhead.co.uk/
Hair – Holly Edmonds – @hollyedmondshair
Makeup – Emma Ludlow via Laura Carroll Makeup Artistry – @lauracarrollmakeupartistry – http://www.lauracarroll.co.uk
Stationery – Sweet Ophelia – @sweetopheliadesigns – https://www.sweetophelia.co.uk/
If you thought hiring a wedding venue was complicated, opting for a marquee takes it to the next level! Can a wedding marquee really save you money, and with all the extras you’ll need, is it worth it? In this blog we’ll explain the basic costs for hiring a wedding marquee, as well as the hidden extras to consider so you can work out the real cost of a marquee for your big day. With thanks to luxury marquee company Peacock and Bow for getting in touch to share their blog: how much does a marquee wedding cost.
Header image of a Peacock and Bow marquee by Bill Haddon Photography
Types of wedding marquees and which costs most
According to Peacock and Bow, the most affordable marquee style is the clearspan marquee (one with no supporting poles in the middle). An approximate price might be £1100 for a 162 square metre marquee. The next cheapest option is a stretch tent (with a series of poles to support the stretchy canvas). Approximate price: £1200 for the same size.
Having said that, there are all kinds of things which will affect the cost of your wedding marquee structure. The size is the first thing to consider – make sure you choose a marquee big enough for all of your guests! (Always have a plan B in case it rains on your wedding day. You’ll need a space where everyone can shelter comfortably inside your marquee for the duration – just in case!)
Depending on your budget, you might opt for a luxury pole and canvas marquee, like Peacock and Bow’s premium quality wedding marquees. Expect to pay from £800 to £1800 for these, depending on the size.
It’s not just the canvas: it’s all the bits to go with it!
There’s a big difference between the cost of a marquee and the cost of a marquee wedding! The canvas structure itself is just the beginning. If you’re having your wedding in a field or woodland area without facilities, you’ll need to hire everything from loos to a catering area and a bar!
The essentials:
- The marquee itself
- Flooring (you’ll need something, even if you’re going for a rustic, outdoorsy tipi vibe: imagine it’s rained on your field the day the marquee is set up! There’s festival vibes (nice!) and then there’s a wet Glastonbury look (yeah – you need either marquee matting or boards!)
- Furniture (chairs, tables, bar)
- Lighting and sound
- Insurance
The extras:
- Dance floor
- Loos (if not provided by your venue)
- Decor: from fairy lights to LED candles or table lamps, flowers, foliage or trees and all of the other lovely things to style your wedding. The best thing about a wedding marquee is it’s a completely blank canvas (couldn’t be more literal!) – so you might want to go all out on the styling!
Marquee mistakes – what to avoid
Book a reputable marquee company, and one who is happy to offer advice and proactive in helping you! Going for a local, cheap and cheerful marquee option might mean you’re left to organise everything on your own. I’d never recommend that! You should be able to pick up the phone to your wedding marquee company for help. Even better, they should have a list of trusted suppliers in case you need anything specific: a florist who’s created amazing hanging chandeliers or decorated a pole and canvas marquee before, for example.
This will help you make sure you have everything you need, from having enough electricity for your band and your caterers, to loos and a cloakroom for your guests!
The temperature needs to be just right, which can mean heating at any time of year. Even on the warmest of sunny days, by evening time it can be chilly to the point that a basket of blankets and a fire pit might not be enough: you could need to pop the heating on. This is another question for your marquee hire company, who’ll be able to advise on generators and heaters so your guests stay cosy and happy until their carriages arrive at midnight!
Marquee wedding insurance is crucial. Always insure your wedding – and make sure the cover suits the style of your day. Marquees are a big cost: you’ll absolutely need that covered.
Money saving tips for marquee weddings
Hiring a marquee will save you money compared to the up front cost of many wedding venues, but do remember neither option is the full cost of your wedding.
A venue will often come with catering costs included, for example. A marquee hire company will give you options to hire furniture and things like lighting through them (which of course, will be included in the package cost from most wedding venues).
Wedding venues come in all shapes and sizes, and have a style and decor all of their own. Some are eclectic and quirky and filled with art and colour. They need little decoration. Others are elegant and romantic, and perhaps just need table dressing (candles, centrepieces and florals for example). By contrast a wedding marquee is literally a blank canvas. The styling and decor will be all down to you. This can bump up costs.
As always, it’s up to you to decide what’s worth splashing out on when planning your wedding – and what isn’t. As a general rule if you’re hiring a marquee for your big day, go with the best company you can afford: it will be worth it for the customer service as well as knowing your marquee will be in top condition and look amazing!
Wedding marquees go hand in hand with wedding hire companies, which are a really sustainable option and can help you save money on styling your day. If you can, hire from someone who will also help with styling touches and on the day coordination. This will save you pennies and you’ll know you’re in safe hands with less to worry about on the big day.
Further reading:
Bridebook: The 2024 average cost of a wedding marquee
Peacock and Bow: Top tips to kick off your marquee wedding planning
The Wedding Taylor: Marquee weddings and things couples always forget
