It's not difficult to see why. Providing an instant party space in practically any location means that the romantic site of your clifftop proposal can become your celebratory venue, while the blank canvas can manifest any look you fancy, making it the ideal option for couples envisioning a highly individual wedding.
World Inspired Tents (Sarah Lauren)
But where to start? We've enlisted some expert advice to compile this step-by-step guide to planning a marquee wedding.
TOP OF THE TENTS
There's an amazing array of options to suit events of all styles and sizes. From intimate gatherings to large-scale parties, the market is awash with tents that'll tick all your boxes.
Clear-span
Offering brilliant flexibility, the clear-span adapts to it environment, making it a top choice for hard ground and trickier-to-get-to locations. Its framework of aluminium poles and white PVC - along with a lack of centre pole and guy ropes - means that it presents unrestricted space inside, as well as strong weatherproof credentials to boot. "Clear-span marquees give you the option to have your reception at a site you may have ties with, such as a family home or maybe where you were proposed to," comments Jim Dylan from Coast2Coast Marquees.
Coast2Coast Marquees
Absolute Canvas www.absolutecanvas.co.uk
Coast2Coast Marquees www.coast2coastmarquees.co.uk
Trevarno Marquees www.trevarnomarquees.co.uk
Traditional canvas
The classic style combines wooden poles and natural canvas, which is not only visually striking in its bare state, but can be dressed in your preferred aesthetic, from country chic to circus style and anything in between. "Canvas gives you the chance to customise, decorate and choose a style to suit any occasion," explains Craig Penellum from Absolute Canvas.
Absolute Canvas
Blue Fizz Tents and Events (Keith Riley)
Absolute Canvas (Keith Riley)
Coast2Coast Marquees
Absolute Canvas www.absolutecanvas.co.uk
Blue Fizz Tents and Events www.bluefizztentsandevents.co.uk
Coast2Coast Marquees www.coast2coastmarquees.co.uk
Trevarno Marquees www.trevarnomarquees.co.uk
Tipi
Tipis are a perennial favourite due to their stunning conical shape and beautiful boho vibe. Canvas and long wooden poles combine to create a sturdy yet seductive looking tent that can take giant or diminutive form, depending on the layout and size of event. "The main practical advantage of choosing tipis is their flexibility. Any number of tipis can be linked together to create the perfect sized space for your event - and they can also be attached in almost limitless number of configurations," says Layla Gant from World Inspired Tents.
World Inspired Tents
World Inspired Tents (Kris Piotrowski)
World Inspired Tents (Sarah Lauren)
World Inspired Tents (Helen Lisk)
World Inspired Tents www.worldinspiredtents.co.uk
Stretch tent
Contemporary and oh-so cool, modern stretch tents are made from an incredibly strong and stretchy waterproof material to give a fabulously freestyle structure that can be erected in a variety of locations and spaces. "They add a special type of 'wow factor' to a wedding with their flowing contours and seamless inclusion into any environment that they are installed, offering modular style capabilities to expand and increase capacity," says Amie Pinfield from Blue Sky Events. "By utilising new technology, their composite construct creates a cosy and intimate atmosphere with great acoustics regardless of the weather".
Blue Sky Events
Blue Sky Events
Blue Sky Events
Blue Sky Events www.eventsbluesky.co.uk
Mughal tent
A Mughal tent smacks of Indian influence and, though it works beautifully for a Bollywood bash or exotic Eastern-inspired party, it's just as fitting for a classically elegant wedding. Whether single or double, the tents afford flexibility and inimitable standout style. "The great thing about a Mughal tent is that you are getting a unique design," says Mark Scoble from The Beautiful Tent Company. "The Mughal tent also has great versatility, allowing walls to be removed completely to connect guests to the outside; it also means that entrances and exits can be formed and unformed anywhere around the tent".
The Beautiful Tent Company (Rosie Windsor)
The Beautiful Tent Company (Rosie Windsor)
The Beautiful Tent Company www.thebeautifultentcompany.co.uk
Domes
The futuristic appearance and internal series of vaults and arches of geodesic domes presents a canvas as contemporary as it is creative. Whether you opt for a single giant dome or interlinking series of smaller geodesic miniatures, the wow factor is most definitely guaranteed. "The captivating architectural design of geodesic domes provide an awe-inspiring experience for your guests," says Paul Bevan from South West Domes. "They blend into the landscape to provide a functional, eye-catching and environmentally sensitive addition to beautiful locations".
South West Domes
South West Domes
South West Domes
South West Domes www.southwestdomes.co.uk
RIGHT SITE
Once you've established a vision of the size and type of tent, narrowing your venue choice will help both you and the marquee company to assess the viability.
Craig recommends preliminary considerations of "views across the sea or countryside, a level site and easy access for suppliers and guests", which merge the look and feel with the practical elements required to stage a marquee wedding. "Although our tents can be erected on uneven ground, it's always best to look for somewhere relatively flat so that your guests can enjoy a sit-down meal comfortably," elaborates Mark.
Jim then advises an inspection of the land or surface itself. "It is important to consider the ground: if it's boggy or has poor drainage it may be worth having a back-up site for bad weather or installing a wooden floor".
Absolute Canvas
Love the idea of a festival-style wedding where guests can pitch their tents? You'll need to look at the available space. "Space for guests to park and camp must be factored in alongside room for infrastructure," comments Paul.
Once you've assessed the viability of the ground and space, you'll need to consider sourcing power. "Some venues are already set up with designated power points for companies to tap into," advises Mark. "Other locations will require a generator". Layla offers up some further practical issues to assess: "Overhanging obstructions, access, exposure to wind and utilities are the main points to consider," she says.
Then there's the surrounding area. "You might want to consider proximity to hotels and other accommodation for your guests," suggests Tracy Edwards of Blue Fizz Tents and Events. Also think about local residents. "The last thing you want on your big day is noise complaints," says Amie.
World Inspired Tents (Rosie Windsor)
A QUESTION OF LAYOUT
Internally, it's vital that everything is located practically for maximum comfort and purpose. For example, separate the sound stage from the bar and chill-out areas to allow people to talk and hear each other properly.
"Think carefully about how you want your guests to feel and move around the area," says Amie. "Make sure people are going to be comfortable but aren't so far spaced apart that it feels unsociable and isolated".
Absolute Canvas
Utilising all the space available within the marquee is key, as Craig advises: "This will ensure that your guests aren't crammed into certain spaces and the entertainment is evenly spread to keep everyone occupied and free moving". A sense of space is particularly crucial for the dining area. "Having space for your guests to eat comfortably is essential," says Tracy. "You may need to move some tables and chairs after the wedding breakfast to allow for adequate space for your guests to dance".
You might even create 'zones' for each part of the day. "Consider a bar for welcome drinks, an eating area, a chill-out zone, a kids' corner and, of course, the entertainment zone for the party," advises Elle Winsor-Grime of Inspire Hire (inspire-hire.co.uk). "These can take the form of separate smaller marquees, yurts or tipis; alternatively, you could utilise a 'reveal curtain' or simply create zones with furniture and decor".
World Inspired Tents
DRESS TO IMPRESS
Choosing your decor can be a daunting task, so discuss your ideas with your suppliers and perhaps enlist a wedding stylist.
Start by considering how you'd like your marquee to feel. "You can use styling to create an intimate ambience, using hanging decor to lower the ceiling height, moody lighting and a cosy seating area or vintage bar," comments Elle. "At the other end of the spectrum, you can create a spacious, modern feel using fairy lights, modern furniture and a stylish contemporary bar".
World Inspired Tents
Think about the type of tent and environment before you finalise the decor; although an eclectic mishmash of looks smacks of individual style, it can detract from the surrounding views or architectural element of the tent.
Blue Sky Events
"The inside of the Mughal tent is very classical and elegant, so you don't have to go crazy styling it," explains Mark. "Bunting always looks great. We can also hang something from the centre of the marquee, whether it be a large chandelier or a beautiful floral display".
World Inspired Tents (Green Photographic)
Tipis provide an atmosphere that supports almost any styling ideas. "From formal country garden parties to laidback bohemian rustic themes, the structures allow for lots of hanging decor (pom-poms, bunting, upturned umbrellas or chandeliers), or draped flowers, foliage and fairy lights," says Layla. "We recommend that customers look at our gallery and Pinterest boards and put their own boards together to help them achieve a cohesive look and feel".
Coast2Coast Marquees
Another key point is budget, as Jim points out. "There's a lot of ways to decorate a marquee without breaking the bank. Fairy lights are very popular along with coloured paper globes or pom-poms which can be clipped onto marquee linings with bulldog clips or clothes pegs".
Blue Sky Events
Try not to overcomplicate your colour scheme. "Don't have too many colours. Stick to a plain ivory ceiling if you have linings and add colour to your marquee through the flowers and table decorations," advises Craig.
Absolute Canvas
Meanwhile, Tracy shares some current furniture and decor trends. "Long trestles for a banquet style wedding look fabulous; rustic chic style works brilliantly with our traditional style canvas pole tents, with hessians and creams, wild flowers cut in lace tied cans and enamel jugs, hay bales and throws, church candles in hurricane lamps, firepits and fairy lights".
The Beautiful Tent Company
World Inspired Tents
TIME TO SHINE
Appropriate lighting is crucial to staging an atmospheric event, and can take a creative mix of forms. "It's essential to have controllable basic lighting, which can be adjusted according to light conditions," says Layla. "For tipi exteriors, festoon lights hung from the top create real impact for night-time celebrations. Adding coloured gels to the lighting, both inside and outside, will make a huge difference to the overall effect".
World Inspired Tents (Sarah Lauren)
World Inspired Tents (Sarah Lauren)
Craig endorses the use of lots of fairy lights and uplighters. "Utilise the available foliage and hedges by lighting them to create a backdrop of beauty against the marquee," he adds. "Colour washes on the domes inside and big flags outside adds a great deal to the atmosphere," comments Paul. And don't forget about those key outdoor spaces. "Flood lighting in parking areas, walkways and WC areas is a must," he adds.
The Beautiful tent Company
Blue Sky Events
As well as background ambience, lighting can be a key feature of your look. "Adding vintage Edison bulbs for an industrial chic look gives a real wow factor," says Tracy. "If you have tall ceiling spaces to fill, think about statement lighting such as giant crystal chandeliers, vintage lampshades or floral installations," suggests Elle.
Blue Sky Events
Blue Sky Events
"We create some amazing light merges within our tents using LED uplights that disperse across the canvas. Additionally, we will often use moving projection lights that help add a little more dynamic lighting," explains Amie. Just remember that controlling the lighting is crucial. "It's important to create the right atmosphere for the right moment of the day and lighting is a surefire way of doing this".
South West Domes
Coast2Coast Marquees
PLANNING CHECKLIST
Heed these final words of wisdom from the experts
Listen to the professionals! If you have an idea, talk it through; they are happy to help and will work tirelessly to make sure that your vision can be created. Craig - Absolute Canvas
As always, planning in advance helps to relieve some of the potential stresses later on. And don't panic: all problems can be resolved. Just relax and enjoy it. Mark - The Beautiful Tent Company
Remember to be truthful with your marquee company with regard to numbers of guests and extras you are adding to the marquee. If your numbers are going up, tell us in advance so we can reserve extra equipment or furniture. Jim - Coast 2 Coast Marquees
Get all the basics booked up first and fast! Make sure you select a reliable generator company and consider using a chiller van for your drinks. Tracy - Blue Fizz Tents and Events
Blue Fizz Tents and Events
Find a supplier that you feel confident in and can trust to deliver your requirements to the standard you expect. Amie - Blue Sky Events
No matter what season your event is in, choosing a suitable site is very important. And be careful with your budget, as there are always unexpected extras. A reputable marquee company will advise on this from the beginning. Layla - World Inspired Tents
Always have a plan B for wet weather. Think about how far your guests might have to walk through a muddy field from their car, and consider where to place your toilets for ease and practicality. Think about your location and, if it is in an exposed and windy spot, consider whether this will influence the position of your entrances and windows. Elle - Inspire Hire
Blue Fizz Tents and Events (Julie Wicks)
words Hannah May
Copyright Wed magazine 2015
