If you've got your heart set on a marquee wedding but you're finding the cost a little off putting, we're here to provide some genuine insight into why marquee hire prices are at the higher end of the scale.
If you've compared the costs of a marquee against that of a venue you may even feel like you're getting less for your money with a marquee. Many lovely venues offer packages priced at around £10,000-£15,000, which can include a three course sit down dinner, evening buffet, drinks package, DJ and more. On the other hand, a marquee can cost more than that before you've even factored in the basics, such as catering.
We understand that regardless of the size of your wedding fund, you're going to want to know exactly where your money is going. So, if you want a marquee and you want it now but you're struggling to justify splashing out on a big white tent, here are our top five reasons why marquee hire is expensive.
You're creating a whole canvas pleasure palace out of nothing. You have to allow for all the added elements that come with it. If you plan on dining, dancing and drinking in your marquee you'll need a floor, some lighting, heating, power, a dance floor, a stage, oh, and some toilet facilities for all the guests.
As well as the main marquee, you might want to add some extras such as covered walkways, aka colonnades, to keep guests sheltered as they move around the site. Spill out areas give guests a laid back space to cool off after a good dance. Porticos create a grand entrance to the marquee, while reveal curtains add a bit of theatre to the proceedings.
You'll also need a service tent so that your catering team have somewhere sheltered to work their culinary magic.
The type of marquee you choose will effect the price and the choice is HUGE. You've got clearspan, traditional pole, yurt, tipi, stretch tent, Chinese hat to name but a few. If you're manifesting a high quality, pristine and elegant traditional pole and canvas marquee that's handmade by skilled artisans using natural materials and bursting with subtle design features, (and breath) it's going to cost more. This is the level of luxury marquee that we provide at Peacock and Bow and they are labour intensive. For instance, they need more maintenance and cleaning to keep them looking amazing. Other companies provide traditional marquees made out of more durable materials to cut down on the upkeep costs, but this can have a more "plastic" look and feel.
Setting up and dismantling a marquee requires a skilled and experienced crew who are fully trained to ensure the marquee is safe and secure. The larger the marquee, the higher the labor costs.
The demand for marquees can fluctuate throughout the year, some companies might up their prices during peak times (heads up - we don't).
There's nothing wrong with spending more to get something you really want. If your vision is a nice summer's day, lovely surroundings, children playing on the lawn, people relaxed and happy - you know, eating, drinking and being merry - and if it all comes down to the marquee....Well, in for a penny, in for a pound as my 90 year old neighbour says. Who, by the way, has been happily married for 70 years and still crushes on her husband, so a good source of advice i'd say!
You need to decide what is most important. If you know you don't want a hotel, a barn or a banquet hall and its simply got to be a luxury marquee, you won't regret the extra cost. Yes, marquees are expensive, but what you get for your money is beyond compare.
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