For couples dreaming of a truly unique and personalized wedding in London, hiring a marquee provides a flexible and elegant solution. Whether you envision a lavish garden party, a sophisticated urban celebration, or a quaint countryside affair, a marquee offers the perfect blank canvas to bring your wedding dreams to life. Here is your ultimate guide to marquee hire in London, packed with essential tips to help you organize a memorable event.
Why Choose a Marquee for Your Wedding?
Flexibility: Marquees can be erected in almost any location, provided there is sufficient space. This means you can choose a meaningful or convenient place, be it a historic park, a family garden, or alongside a scenic river.
Customization: Unlike fixed venues, marquees offer complete creative control over layout, size, and decor, allowing you to tailor every aspect of the setting to match your theme and style perfectly.
Exclusivity: A marquee gives you privacy and control over your venue, avoiding the interruptions and restrictions often encountered with hotel or banquet hall weddings.
Choosing the Right Type of Marquee
Traditional Pole Marquees: Ideal for a vintage or rustic wedding, these marquees are supported by poles and guy ropes, adding a touch of classic charm. They work best on soft ground like grass.
Frame Marquees: With no internal poles, frame marquees offer uninterrupted space inside and can be installed on almost any surface, including hard standings. They are versatile for any wedding theme.
Clearspan Marquees: Perfect for modern weddings, clearspan marquees feature transparent roofs and walls that allow natural light to flood in and offer stunning views of your surroundings.
Capri Marquees: These are less formal and feature graceful peaks and curves, suitable for summer weddings with a more relaxed vibe.
Key Considerations When Hiring a Marquee
Location: The site must be accessible for setup and spacious enough to accommodate your marquee. Consider the surroundings and potential for beautiful photo opportunities.
Ground Surface: Different types of marquees suit different surfaces. Ensure the marquee hire company assesses the venue to recommend the best type and setup.
Weather: London’s weather can be unpredictable. Ensure your marquee is equipped with suitable flooring, heating, or cooling systems and consider side panels that can be added or removed depending on the weather.
Permissions: Depending on the location, you may need a permit from the local council to erect a marquee. Check with your marquee hire company and local authorities.
What to Look for in a Marquee Hire Company
Experience and Reputation: Choose a company with extensive experience in providing marquees for weddings. Check reviews and ask for references.
Quality of Service: Ensure the company offers a comprehensive service including delivery, setup, and take-down. Good communication and responsiveness are also crucial.
Availability of Additional Services: Many marquee companies offer additional services such as lighting, furniture, and decor hire. Bundling these services can be more convenient and sometimes more cost-effective.
Insurance and Safety: The company should have liability insurance and adhere to safety standards, ensuring that the marquee is both safe and secure against all eventualities.
Decorating Your Marquee
Theme and Style: Decide on a color scheme and style that reflects your personalities and love story. From whimsical fairy lights and lanterns to elegant chandeliers and draping, the decoration possibilities in a marquee are endless.
Furniture and Layout: Plan the layout to encourage interaction amongst guests and smooth flow throughout the event. Consider different areas like a dining space, dance floor, and lounge area.
Flowers and Greenery: Incorporate fresh flowers and greenery to bring life and vibrancy to your marquee setting. Floral arches, table centerpieces, and garlands can transform a marquee into a magical setting.
Planning for Comfort
Climate Control: Depending on the time of year, consider heating options for cooler months or fans and coolers for summer weddings to maintain a comfortable temperature inside the marquee.
Acoustics: Marquees can sometimes challenge sound quality. Discuss options with your DJ or band to ensure music and speeches can be heard clearly by all guests.
Lighting: Proper lighting is crucial, especially as the evening progresses. Ambient lighting not only sets the mood but also ensures that the area is safely lit.
Final Thoughts
Marquee weddings offer a unique opportunity to create a bespoke ambiance that is reflective of your personal tastes and wedding vision. With the flexibility to choose nearly any location and the ability to customize every detail, from the floor plan to the ceiling, marquees provide the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable London wedding. By following this guide and working with a reputable marquee hire company, you’ll be well on your way to planning the wedding of your dreams.
