Planning a Marquee Wedding

Planning a Marquee Wedding

An outdoor wedding is nice, but a marquee wedding can be better.  Still enjoying the outdoor atmosphere, a marquee wedding allows you to remain protected in all kinds of weather, enjoy dancing, and have an elegant day.  Yet there are some important factors to consider when planning a marquee wedding.

What’s the Difference?

Planning a marquee wedding is a little different, because you are actually in control of your structure as well as the ceremony and reception themselves.  A marquee is a tent-like structure with walls and windows on the sides that offer you a unique atmosphere for the wedding.  The ceiling usually has draped fabric, although there are some marquees with a clear roof to let in natural light or see the stars.  Plus there are various layouts and other factors that can make your day truly unique.

The reason many couples choose a marquee is that the freestanding structure allows for the couple to make the wedding truly personal and unique.  There are minimal limitations on décor and you can set the reception up as you wish.  For instance, if you want a dance floor off to the side rather than in the center of the room, you can place it where you wish.

The Venue

When you have a marquee wedding, you have to decide where to put the marquee.  There are sites that have space on the grounds that specialize in marquee rentals.  There are also other locations that may be willing to rent you the space for your marquee.  Many wedding planners or marquee rental companies can help in determining the venue.

The Size

Before you rent your marquee, you need to have an idea of the number of guests.  This will help you determine how much space you will need.  Knowing the size of your guest list will also determine electrical and heating/cooling needs.

Activities

While the number of people attending your wedding is important, so are your plans for the day.  Will you be getting married in the marquee or at another location?  Will you be having a buffet or serving food at tables?  Will you need a dance floor?

All the activities will determine the size and shape of your marquee.  You can have one long marquee or even an “L” shape.  Considerations will need to be given to access of service staff, the bar, dance floor, and more.

Budget

A marquee is not necessarily any more expensive than a reception hall, but if you are on a tight budget there are some things you can do to make the marquee more affordable.  For instance, you can have your wedding during the day.  This way you can use the natural light and it will save you money on a generator.  However, many marquee dealers usually have a salesperson that can offer you advice and guidance based upon your budget.

If you have a lot of unique ideas and just cannot find that perfect venue for your wedding, then you may want to consider having a marquee wedding.  With the ability to customize your structure and all of your planning, it will allow you the most flexibility on your wedding day.