Marquee weddings are the most popular style of celebration we plan — with over half of our weddings taking place in marquees every year.
From intimate home weddings to countryside estates such as Cornwell Manor, Holywell Hall and Penicuik Estate (to name just a few), couples are increasingly drawn to the freedom, atmosphere and personal nature of a marquee celebration.
There’s something incredibly special about creating a wedding day from the ground up — designing every detail around you as a couple and the experience you want your guests to enjoy.
If you’re considering a marquee wedding, this guide will walk you through why so many of our clients love them, what to consider, and whether this style of celebration feels right for you.
WHY OUR CLIENTS LOVE MARQUEE WEDDINGS
A completely personal celebration
Marquee weddings allow every element to be thoughtfully tailored — from layout and design to the flow of the day and guest experience.
Rather than fitting into an existing venue structure, couples can create a celebration that reflects their style, story and how they love to host.
You might enjoy browsing our portfolio to see how different couples have brought their marquee celebrations to life.
Flexibility of layout and guest experience
Whether you’re envisioning long banquet tables, relaxed lounge areas, open dance floors or multiple spaces for different moments of the day, marquees offer complete freedom to design your celebration around your guest numbers and vision.
This flexibility also works perfectly for wedding weekends, with spaces that can evolve across several days.
Freedom to choose your own trusted suppliers
One of the aspects our clients value most about marquee weddings is the flexibility to curate a supplier team that truly reflects their style, priorities and the atmosphere they want to create.
Rather than being limited to in-house packages or preferred lists, couples can thoughtfully select each professional involved in their celebration — from caterers and florists to photographers, musicians and production teams.
This freedom allows for:
- A dining experience tailored to your tastes and guest experience
- Creative design that feels completely personal
- Suppliers who align naturally with your vision and values
- A celebration that feels cohesive rather than formulaic
Beautiful countryside and at-home settings
One of the biggest appeals of marquee weddings is the ability to celebrate in meaningful locations — family homes, private estates and stunning countryside venues.
It creates a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere while still feeling thoughtfully curated and beautifully considered.
THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN PLANNING A MARQUEE WEDDING
While marquee weddings offer incredible creative freedom, they do involve more elements than a traditional venue — which is why thoughtful planning is so important.
Logistics and coordination
From flooring, power and catering facilities to lighting, furniture, florals and the flow of the day, every element of a marquee wedding needs to be carefully planned and thoughtfully layered together.
Access for suppliers, delivery schedules, build times, weather contingencies, guest movement between spaces, and how each moment transitions into the next all play an important role in creating a seamless celebration.
While it may sound like a lot on paper, with the right planning, trusted supplier team, and coordination in place, it will feel effortless in reality.
This is where professional planning support makes such a difference — whether through our Full Wedding Planning or Wedding Day Management service.
Weather planning in the UK
The UK’s wonderfully unpredictable weather is all part of the charm of an outdoor celebration — but it does mean that careful contingency planning is an essential part of marquee weddings.
Rather than worrying about forecasts, great planning focuses on creating a comfortable, beautifully considered environment — with essential Plan Bs and contingency options — whatever the weather brings.
This can include solid flooring to keep everything level and dry, discreet heating for cooler evenings, covered walkways between key areas, and layouts that allow guests to move easily between spaces without concern.
Thoughtful lighting, sheltered lounge areas and well-positioned entrances also play a role in maintaining both atmosphere and practicality.
Timelines and set-up
Marquee weddings often involve several days of installation and breakdown, particularly for larger celebrations or wedding weekends.
Clear scheduling and well-coordinated suppliers will ensure that everything runs smoothly from start to finish.
IS A MARQUEE WEDDING RIGHT FOR YOU?
A marquee wedding is the perfect choice if you:
- Love the idea of a bespoke celebration
- Enjoy outdoor settings and countryside spaces
- Want flexibility in design and layout
- Are planning a larger guest list or weekend celebration
- Value a personal, thoughtfully planned experience
If you’d prefer a ready-made venue with everything included or minimal logistical involvement, a traditional venue may be a better fit.
THE ROLE OF A WEDDING PLANNER IN MARQUEE WEDDINGS
Marquee weddings are where experienced planning makes the biggest difference — not just from a logistical perspective but also in shaping a celebration that feels effortless, personal and beautifully considered.
From sourcing the right marquee structure and trusted suppliers to suit your setting and guest numbers, to managing installation schedules, overseeing logistics and ensuring every detail flows naturally throughout the day (and across a wedding weekend), professional planning creates calm and clarity at every stage.
Behind the scenes, your planner anticipates challenges, coordinates every supplier, manages timings, and ensures contingency plans are in place, so you can simply be present and enjoy the celebration you’ve envisioned.
With expert guidance throughout, a marquee wedding becomes not only achievable, but a calm, joyful and stress-free experience.
COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT MARQUEE WEDDINGS
Are marquee weddings more expensive than venues?
They can be similar in cost but are often higher depending on size, styling and logistics — however, they offer complete flexibility to prioritise what matters most to you.
Do marquee weddings work in all seasons?
Yes, with the right planning. Heating, air con, solid flooring, trackway and thoughtful layouts make marquee weddings achievable in any season.
How far in advance should you start planning a marquee wedding?
Ideally 12-18 months, particularly for summer dates and popular countryside locations.
FINAL THOUGHTS
A marquee wedding offers something truly special — the freedom to create a celebration that feels entirely your own, set within beautiful surroundings and designed around the experience you want to share with your guests.
With the right suppliers and support, they become not only achievable but wonderfully seamless and memorable.
If you’re considering a marquee celebration, we’d love to hear from you and help bring your ideas to life.
Wedding Planner: Katrina Otter Weddings
Photographer: Holly Clark Photography
Videographer: Stories From Eros
Marquee: Joseph Benjamin Marquees
Caterer: Jimmy Garcia Catering
Florist: Millie Richardson Flowers
Furniture: House of Furn
Tableware: Maison Margaux
Stationery: Written by Emily
Dress: Andrea Hawkes
Makeup Artist: Alesandra Makeup
Hair Stylist: VSTHAIR
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