The Ultimate Beginner's Marquee Hire Guide

If you’re new to marquee hire, the process can feel overwhelming, especially when planning an important event like a wedding, party, or corporate function. From choosing the right size and style to knowing what additional services you’ll need, there’s a lot to consider.

At South East Marquees, we’re here to make the process as simple and stress-free as possible. In this ultimate guide to marquee hire, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to create the perfect event space.

Why Choose a Marquee?

Marquees offer versatility and flexibility for all kinds of events, allowing you to design a custom space that suits your exact needs. Whether you're hosting an outdoor wedding, a birthday party, or a corporate gathering, a marquee provides the perfect blank canvas.

Customisable Space: Marquees allow you to tailor the layout and decor, unlike traditional indoor venues.
Weather Protection: With the right setup, marquees can handle all kinds of weather, keeping your event on track no matter the forecast.
Location Flexibility: Marquees can be set up virtually anywhere—gardens, parks, or private land—giving you more location options than a fixed venue.

Types of Marquees Available

The type of marquee you choose depends on the style of your event, the season, and the number of guests. At South East Marquees, we offer two main types of marquee for hire:

Clear Span Marquees: These are popular for weddings and large events due to their open layout. Clear Span marquees have no internal poles, giving you maximum space for seating, dance floors, and other elements.
Party Tent Marquees: Ideal for smaller or more intimate events, these are perfect for garden parties, birthdays, and smaller gatherings. They're lightweight and easy to set up, making them a convenient choice for residential events.

How to Choose the Right Size

Choosing the right size is one of the most important steps in hiring a marquee. Here’s a basic guide:

Standing Events: If your guests will be mingling or standing (like at a cocktail party), you’ll need about 0.75 square metres per person.
Seated Events with Long Tables: For banquet-style seating, plan for about 1 square metre per guest.
Seated Events with Round Tables: Allow around 1.2 square metres per guest for round table arrangements.

For example, a wedding with 100 seated guests would typically require a 12m x 18m marquee. If you're unsure, our team can help recommend the best size based on your guest list and event type.

Consider the Marquee Layout

When hiring a marquee, it’s important to think about how you’ll use the space. Consider the following:

Dining Areas: Do you need space for long banquet tables or round dining tables? Will you have a formal seating arrangement?
Dancing and Entertainment: If you’re having a band or DJ, you’ll need a designated area for the dance floor and possibly a bar.
Chill-Out Zones: If your event will last several hours, having a lounge or chill-out area with comfy furniture gives guests a place to relax.

Our team can help you design the perfect layout, ensuring you make the most of the available space while keeping guests comfortable.

Weather-Proofing Your Marquee

The British weather can be unpredictable, but that doesn’t have to be an issue with the right marquee and accessories. Here are a few things to consider:

Heating Solutions: If you’re hosting an event in the cooler months, make sure you have heaters to keep guests warm and cosy.
Flooring: Protect your guests from cold, damp ground with our hard flooring or coconut matting, providing comfort and insulation.
Sidewalls and Canopies: Add sidewalls to protect your guests from wind and rain, or extend the entrance with a canopy to keep guests dry when arriving or leaving.

Don’t Forget the Marquee Accessories

Marquee hire is just the beginning! To make your event truly special, you’ll need additional marquee accessories to create the perfect atmosphere. At South East Marquees, we offer:

Lighting: Choose from chandeliers, fairy lights, or uplighting to create the right ambiance for your event.
Furniture: We offer a range of tables and chairs to suit your event, from elegant Chiavari chairs for weddings to comfortable sofas for relaxed gatherings.
Linings and Drapes: Transform the interior of your marquee with beautiful linings and drapes, perfect for weddings or formal dinners.
Bars and Dance Floors: Set up a stylish bar and dance floor to keep the party going all night long.

At South East Marquees, we handle everything from start to finish. Our experienced team will deliver and set up your marquee, ensuring it’s secure and ready for your event. Once the event is over, we’ll take care of the dismantling, so you don’t have to worry about a thing.

Booking your marquee with South East Marquees is straightforward. Here’s how the process works:

Initial Consultation: Get in touch with us to discuss your event, location, and requirements.
Site Visit (if necessary): For larger or more complex setups, we may visit the site to ensure the marquee can be safely installed.
Receive a Quote: We’ll provide a detailed quote covering the marquee, accessories, delivery, setup, and takedown.
Booking Confirmation: Once you’re happy with the quote, a 20% deposit secures your booking. The remaining payment is due 10 days before the event.
Event Day: Our team will arrive on time to set everything up and ensure it’s ready for your guests.

We provide marquee hire across Surrey, Sussex, and surrounding areas. Whether your event is in East Grinstead, Horsham, Dorking, Burgess Hill or further afield, we’re here to help.

Hiring a marquee doesn’t have to be complicated. With South East Marquees, you’ll have a professional team guiding you through the process, from choosing the right size and layout to ensuring your guests are comfortable and your event is a success.

Contact us today to discuss your marquee hire needs and let us help you create the perfect event space.