When you’re in the process of planning your dream wedding, you want every detail to reflect your unique style and personality. One of the most important decisions you’ll make is choosing the perfect venue that sets the tone for your special day.

While traditional venues have their charm, there’s a rising trend that’s capturing the hearts of couples seeking an unforgettable and customizable experience: marquee weddings.

In this article, we’ll explore the question on many couples’ minds: are marquee weddings more expensive than going down the traditional route?

Marquee weddings have gained popularity for several reasons, with their flexibility and versatility being at the forefront. Unlike traditional venues, marquee weddings offer a blank canvas where your creativity knows no bounds. You have the opportunity to transform an open space into a breathtaking wonderland that mirrors your unique vision. From rustic chic to modern elegance, marquee weddings provide a pristine canvas that adapts to your theme, colour palette, and décor preferences.

There are a number of different considerations to think about when planning your marquee wedding, all of which can alter the total costs you pay.

The biggest and most obvious cost is the marquee itself. Depending on how many guests you’re inviting and the location of the event, there will be a number of different options available for you to choose from. Depending on the size you choose, you can expect to pay between £500-10,000 for the marquee.

Unless you own the land where you want to host your wedding, you’ll likely need to pay a fee to rent it. This can vary depending on the area, but we’d recommend you budget at least £1,000.

In addition to the marquee itself, you’ll also need to think about the furniture within it for your guests to use. This can include things like tables and chairs, sofas, dancefloors and bars. Depending on the size of your event and the number of your guests, we estimate you’ll be paying around £100-2,000.

Unless there are toilets near to where you’re setting up your marquee, you’ll also need to hire portaloos for your wedding. This is usually around £600-800.

One of the great things about having a marquee wedding is that you can choose almost any cuisine you fancy to be served at your wedding breakfast. Again, this hugely varies depending on the number of guests and the type of food you choose, but will usually sit between £75-85 per head for a three course meal with canapes.

Once you’ve filled your venue with furniture, you’ll also want to add a few decorative touches to make it your own. Depending on your own tastes, many couples will usually spend between £200-3,000 on decorations.

Definitely not one to forget! You’ll need to hire a good generator to keep everything going in your marquee, we usually estimate this to be around £500-1,000.

While it’s true that marquee weddings come with initial costs such as tent rentals and setup, these expenses are often comparable, if not more budget-friendly, than reserving a high-end hotel ballroom or exclusive event space.

The cost-effectiveness of marquee weddings becomes evident when you factor in the potential savings. With the opportunity to bring your own vendors, including caterers and bartenders, you can see significant cost reductions compared to the mandatory in-house services offered by traditional venues. Additionally, you get greater control over your budget, being able to tailor every aspect of your wedding to align with your financial limits.

TM Event Hire is one of the leading suppliers of event equipment in Essex. London and Hertfordshire, offering a range of high-quality and striking marquee options for any event and budget.

If you’d like to find out more about working with us, get in touch to find out more or visit our website