Marquees often used to be a cheap venue option whereas these days, marquees are a seriously stylish wedding venue option. Marquee weddings are a great choice, whether you're having a huge wedding celebration or a small, intimate reception.
Venues who have marquee space in the grounds are perfect for couples who would like a small marriage ceremony but would like to invite more guests in the evening. It may be that your venue has a permanent marquee on their grounds, or there’s simply space for you to choose your own to hire. In this case, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from in London. Will you hire a classic English marquee with roll up sides, or maybe a festival-style yurt or tipi? You may even be able to customise your marquee with patterned linings, different flooring and a bespoke dance floor!
If you're thinking about having your wedding at a venue with a marquee in London, they're perfect for you if:
- A large area to fit lots of seated guests is required
- You want to marry in a outdoor space, such as a garden or woodland
- You require a venue where you can add your personality and decorated it how you wish
- You'd like to have a small ceremony but a large celebration for your wedding reception
Frequently Asked Questions - Marquee Weddings
Will my wedding venue put up my marquee for me?
Every wedding venue differs when it comes to what's included in the price. Some venues will just offer a space for the marquee to go and others will provide the tent itself. In some cases, the venue will only charge you for the hire of the grounds, and then you’ll have to arrange the marquee separately with a marquee hire company. If your chosen venue doesn't have their own marquee, they will often have recommended suppliers that you're required to use. Get in touch with them to ask about this before you research and find your own marquee supplier.
In other cases, your wedding venue in London may have a permanent marquee in the grounds, or one that is in use throughout the summer month, for example. This may be a simpler choice if you don’t want to arrange your wedding marquee directly.
Some venues that offer their own marquee will charge extra for the use and setup of it. Please make sure you check with them beforehand if they will add an extra cost for this.
Am I able to have my wedding in a marquee in winter?
Yes! Many people may think that marquee weddings are suitable for spring or summer only, but marquees can work very well for autumn and winter weddings too! The difference is that you won’t be able to roll the sides of the tent up (which is generally an option in the warmer months), and that you’ll have to provide extra heating for your guests to keep your marquee warm. To make your marquee feel magical in the winter months, you can add fairy lights and sparkling decor. That's one of the perks of having a blank canvas!
What options do I have if the weather's bad on the day?
Most marquees in London should be able to withstand wind and rain. However, you will want a second plan for if there's storms on your wedding day. It's likely most venues will have an indoor area for you to have your wedding reception. Discuss your wet weather plan with your wedding venue to ensure you’re prepared for any poor weather conditions.
Can we have a civil ceremony in a marquee in London?
Even in marquees that are permanent throughout the whole year, it's law that you can't have your civil ceremony in a marquee as it needs to be in a permanent and fixed structure to be legal. One way to get around this is to have your ceremony over the threshold of a doorway. This way, your guests can be seated in the marquee while you are technically indoors. A popular option is to have the ceremony in the main building of the venue, or even a church nearby and then just have the wedding reception in the marquee.
I'm getting married in London. How can I decorate my wedding marquee?
Marquees are usually a completely blank canvas, which is great for couples who would like to add their personal touch. Hanging decorations such as lanterns and bunting are a great option. Lighting options such as fairy lights and chandeliers can also help set the mood for your evening reception. You will want some decor for the tables. In a marquee, it's best to go for more extravegent centre pieces to fill up the large space available. You could go for a tall vase with flowers in to match your theme.