Hiring a Marquee, Tent or Tepee?

🎪 Top tips to consider when looking to hire a marquee or tent

Planning a celebration, corporate gathering, or special occasion? A marquee offers a versatile, elegant solution that can transform any location into a stunning venue. Whether you're hosting a wedding, birthday, festival, or business event, understanding the essentials of marquee hire will help you plan with confidence.

Here’s everything you need to know to get started.

📍 Key Considerations

Before diving into design and décor, think through these core details:

• Location: Where will the marquee be installed?

• Date: When is your event, and how far in advance are you planning?

• Guest Count: How many people will attend—and will that number change throughout the day?

• Event Type: What kind of experience are you creating?

🗺️ Location, Location, Location

Choosing the right site is crucial to a smooth installation and a beautiful setup

• Where in the country? We’ve delivered marquees to remote and scenic locations across the UK. Accessibility for vehicles and installation teams is key

• Is the site flat and grassy? A level grass surface is ideal, some marquee company's can accommodate uneven terrain with specialist flooring or subframes

• Sloping or uneven ground? These need to be considered

• Vehicle access? Direct access for lorries simplifies setup. If access is limited, additional costs may apply, always consider everyone's access to the site.

  
  

📅 Date: Why Early Planning Matters

Marquees are in high demand during peak seasons—especially from late spring to early autumn, and around holidays like Christmas and New Year.

Booking early gives you:

• ✅ Access to your preferred marquee size and style

• ✅ More time to plan layout, décor, and logistics

• ✅ Priority on popular extras (furniture, lighting, dance floors)

• ✅ Seamless coordination with other suppliers

Top Tip: Weddings and large events are often booked 6–12 months ahead. Smaller gatherings may need just a few weeks—but the earlier you book, the better.

👥 Guest Numbers & Layout

Your guest count influences marquee size, layout, and flow.

• Will numbers change throughout the event (e.g., evening guests)?

• Is the setup theatre-style, dining-style, or mixed?

• Will all guests be seated at once?

🎉 Event Type & Functionality

Think beyond the guest list—how will the marquee be used?

• For the dancing, a floor is always best

• Is a ceremony taking place inside?

• Do you need a bar, mingling area, or drinks reception?

• Will there be buffet service requiring dedicated space?

• Do caterers need a service area?

• Are walkways or links to buildings required?

• Stage area for myself and any other artists to perform - a flat non-grass area is required - ideally a wooden or metal mobile stage

Some features may require a site visit to assess feasibility.

🛋️ Internal Finishes & Comfort

Flooring

Most events benefit from wooden flooring, with optional carpeting available in a wide range of colours. Event carpets are single-use and add a polished finish.

Lining

For weddings and formal events, most company's offer pleated ivory linings as part of a standard package.

Heating

Heating is not included in most marquee installations, it might be summer and the evenings can still be chilly. Gas, electric blow heat systems can be hired, even if you don't use it on the day, better safe than sorry cold guests!

Overall - remember I will work with any company you book to make sure everything runs to plan. Especially making sure the stage area is OK for your event, and not forgetting the electrical power requirements!