Hiring a marquee is a fantastic way to create a unique and flexible event space, whether you’re planning a wedding, corporate function, birthday celebration or garden party. But if it’s your first time organising one, you’ll likely have a few questions.
At Marquees for All Occasions, we’ve helped hundreds of customers across the region plan memorable events under canvas. To help you get started, we’ve answered the eight questions we hear most often about marquee hire.
1. What size marquee do I need?
The size of your marquee depends on the number of guests, your seating arrangements, and whether you need space for extras like a dance floor, stage or bar. As a general guide, we’d generally say the following is a good rule of thumb:
50 guests seated = approx. 6m x 12m
100 guests seated = approx. 9m x 15m
150+ guests seated = 12m x 24m or larger
We are always happy to help our customers find the best possible fit, so please do drop us a line if we can give some more specific advice for your event and expected guest count.
2. Do I need planning permission to hire a marquee?
In most cases, you don’t need planning permission for a temporary structure like a marquee, especially if it’s up for less than 28 days. However, if your venue is a listed building, in a conservation area, or has specific land restrictions, it’s best to check with your local authority.
If you’re unsure, we’re happy to advise based on your location and event plans. It is extremely rare that a temporary marquee especially over a matter of hours would cause a problem in any pre agreed venue, but we’re happy to help in any case.
3. Can marquees be used all year round?
Yes. With modern materials and heating solutions, marquees can be used in all seasons. For winter events, we can supply insulated linings, sealed flooring, and effective marquee heaters to keep guests warm and comfortable.
For summer events, we provide ventilation options and marquee sides that can be opened to let in fresh air while keeping shade overhead. It’s all completely custom to your even needs, and that’s one of the best things about hiring rather than buying.
4. What happens if it rains or the weather is bad?
Our marquees are fully waterproof and securely anchored to withstand typical UK weather. After all, you never really do know what to expect when planning your event.
We also offer hard flooring and carpet options to avoid soggy ground underfoot, along with internal linings and lighting to create a cosy atmosphere, whatever the forecast.
5. How long does it take to set up and take down the marquee?
Setup typically takes between 1 and 2 days, depending on the size and complexity of the marquee. We usually install the marquee a day or two before your event to allow time for decorating, table setups, and technical checks. Take-down is usually completed within a day after the event.
We’ll work with your venue and suppliers to coordinate timings that suit everyone involved, just let us know in advance about what you need.
6. Can I customise the marquee layout and interior?
Absolutely. One of the biggest advantages of marquee hire is flexibility! You can choose your layout, lighting, flooring, furniture, linings, colour schemes, entrances, and even themed décor. Whether you want a classic wedding look, a rustic festival feel, or a sleek corporate setup, we can help bring your vision to life.
We also offer accessories like chandeliers, LED uplighters, dance floors, bar units and more.
7. Do you provide furniture, toilets or power?
Yes, we offer a range of add-ons and work with trusted local suppliers if additional facilities are needed. This can include:
- Tables and chairs
- Generators for off-grid power
- Catering tents, chillers, and bar units
- We’ll work with you however we can for anything else you need
Let us know what you need, and we can either supply it directly or recommend reliable providers.
8. How far in advance should I book a marquee?
We recommend booking as early as possible, particularly for summer weekends, which tend to be in high demand. For weddings and large events, it’s best to secure your marquee 6 to 12 months in advance to make sure absolutely every base is covered fr your event.
That said, we often accommodate shorter notice bookings, so it’s always worth getting in touch to check availability.
Planning an Event?
Whether you’re planning an intimate garden party or a large-scale wedding, hiring a marquee gives you the freedom to design your perfect space. At Marquees for All Occasions, we make the process simple and stress-free, from first consultation to final pack-down.
Have a question we haven’t answered here?
Get in touch with our friendly team today, and we’ll be happy to help you plan the perfect marquee event.
